Control Yuan President Wang Chien-shien yesterday said he had confidence in the body’s impartiality in reviewing impeachment proposals against civil servants even though people often try to exert influence on their decisions.
Wang made the remarks when asked to respond to a recent report in the Chinese-language Apple Daily that said the Control Yuan committee on Dec. 19 voted not to impeach Taitung County Commissioner Kuang Li-chen (鄺麗貞) over her alleged abuse of public funds for overseas trips.
“Lobbying can hardly be avoided as it is prevalent in Chinese society. What’s important is that Control Yuan members should be impervious to the pressure,” Wang said.
Kuang drew widespread criticism for failing to cancel a 13-day trip to Europe ahead of a typhoon in July after which she was found to have spent millions in the previous two years on overseas trips and forging trip reports for her overseas travels.
The Control Yuan in November approved a corrective measure against the Taitung County Government for overspending on overseas trips when it was already struggling for money.
But a motion to impeach Kuang proposed by Control Yuan member Ma Yi-kung (馬以工) was rejected by a vote of six to four during the review meeting on Dec. 19.
Wang refused to comment on whether any Control Yuan members were talked out of supporting the impeachment.
“We must not allow Control Yuan members to bow to pressure to change decisions on any impeachment proposals, but I don’t think that would happen. I have confidence in their integrity. Control Yuan members shall spurn all kinds of lobbying,” Wang said.
Wang, who was released from hospital yesterday morning, gave NT$3,600 to 100 Control Yuan employees for their hard work later yesterday.
The money was saved from his monthly special allowance funds and from a portion of his salary that he has received since he assumed office in August.
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