Legislators across party lines yesterday criticized the dismissal of National Health Insurance (NHI) chief executive officer (CEO) Chu Tzer-ming (朱澤民), who was “relieved of his duties” at a last-minute press conference on Monday.
Department of Health (DOH) Minister Yeh Ching-chuan (葉金川) told the press conference that Chu had left his position on Friday, but could not provide a clear explanation of why.
Yeh told reporters yesterday that the decision was an “in-house affair” and that he did not want to comment further.
“There is no need to say much, otherwise things would only get ugly,” Yeh said outside his residence.
Yeh added that Chu had completed his “mission for the current phase.”
It is normal to shuffle personnel, and there does not necessarily need to be a reason, he added.
Asked if Chu knew of his dismissal beforehand, Yeh said that he should have had some clues.
“Chu shouldn’t overinterpret this or speak too much about it — it’s not good for him,” he said.
Chu, who apparently learned about his dismissal from TV news, told reporters that he did not know why the NHI had arrived at the decision, adding that he felt like a tool being thrown aside after use.
At a press conference yesterday, Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Su Jun-pin (蘇俊賓) said that while the Executive Yuan did not know of the decision before it was announced, the Executive Yuan respected the DOH’s decision.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Gao Jyh-peng (高志鵬) said yesterday he suspected Chu was replaced as retaliation for the bureau’s decision last year to terminate a contract with TECO Electric and Machinery, a company manufacturing integrated-circuit cards. The contract was terminated last year because Liu Chao-kai (劉兆凱), the younger brother of Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄), was the company’s chairman, constituting a conflict of interest.
“Liu Chao-shiuan axed an important official at the NHI because of his brother’s company,” DPP Legislator William Lai (賴清德) said.
“We can see from this incident that Liu Chao-shiuan’s brother has exceeded the status that former first lady Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍) used to have,” DPP Legislator Chang Hwa-kuan (張花冠) said.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lee Ching-hua (李慶華) demanded to know the reason for Chu’s dismissal.
“If he goes without a clear explanation, the whole nation will be left in a fog,” he said.
Lee said it was ridiculous for the department to announce Chu’s replacement before informing Chu of the decision.
“[The DOH] did not respect him and even humiliated him,” he said.
KMT caucus deputy secretary-general Lin Hung-chih (林鴻池) said that it was rough for Chu to learn of his own sacking on TV and he urged the DOH to explain the matter clearly to avoid creating a negative impression of the whole incident.
“The caucus believes the decision was made abruptly,” Lin told a press conference. “We wish government officials would be more respectful.”
Lin urged the DOH to fully account for the reason behind Chu’s replacement.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY FLORA WANG AND RICH CHANG
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