Despite objections from the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), the Legislative Yuan’s Internal Administration Committee yesterday passed an amendment to the Nationality Act (國籍法) banning anyone with permanent residency in a foreign country from holding public office.
“Banning officials from holding foreign residency has a symbolic meaning to his or her loyalty to this country and is a way to enhance the public’s trust in the government,” said Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wu Yu-sheng (吳育昇), who presided over yesterday’s meeting.
The current version of the Nationality Act only prohibits people with foreign citizenship from serving in public office.
RESIDENCY
However, following several incidents in which government officials were found to have permanent residency abroad, Wu, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators Pan Meng-an (潘孟安) and Lin Shu-fen (林淑芬) and others suggested tightening restrictions to meet public expectations.
Deputy Minister of the Interior Chien Tai-lang (簡太郎) opposed the change, saying: “Permanent residency is the right that a country gives to a foreigner to permanently reside in that country without becoming a citizen. Permanent residents are clearly different from citizens in terms of duties and rights.”
“I think the amendment should be reconsidered,” Chien said.
Despite MOI opposition, both KMT and DPP legislators supported the change and held cross-party negotiations to settle minor differences in their versions of the proposal.
In addition, lawmakers also passed a motion that requires all officials with foreign citizenship or permanent residency to give it up within a year of the law’s enactment.
FOREIGNERS
Meanwhile, lawmakers passed a proposal by DPP Legislator Hsueh Ling (薛凌) to grant citizenship to foreigners who make “outstanding contributions to the Republic of China [ROC] or enjoy renowned status in the international community” upon the approval of the Cabinet.
APPROVAL PENDING
Amendments passed yesterday still need to be approved by the legislative general assembly to become law.
In response to reporters’ questions about the amendment, the Presidential Office yesterdsay said that President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) US citizenship was no longer an issue because he has provided evidence to prove that his green card was no longer valid.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KO SHU-LING
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