Minister of National Defense Kao Hua-chu (高華柱) and Veterans Affairs Commission Minister Tseng Jing-ling (曾金陵) yesterday dismissed the results of an Executive Yuan probe that said that 236 retired military personnel had received double pay at government-funded organizations after retirement.
“I assure you that no retired military personnel did any such thing,” Kao told reporters at the legislature yesterday morning.
He said that all military personnel only receive one paycheck from the ministry. Retired military personnel also only receive their monthly pension, he said.
The Cabinet’s investigation showed that 236 retired military officers were hired by private firms partly owned by the government. In addition to the 18 percent special interest rate for retired military personnel, they also enjoyed two paychecks — their pension and the other from the firm, the investigation claims.
Tseng said that military personnel who served more than 20 years qualified for a lifetime pension plan and that they receive it in the form of a monthly paycheck. Those who retire but work for private firms — with or without government shares — would have to forfeit their pensions “temporarily.”
“This is a requirement if you want to work for a private firm after you retire,” Tseng said. “Once a subject leaves a private firm, his life-time pension will resume. As a result, it is impossible for any retired military officer to receive two paychecks.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese-language Next Magazine reported yesterday that the Ministry of National Defense was considering purchasing four German-built submarines that had been rejected by the Greek navy.
It said Taiwan approached the Kiel-based shipbuilder Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft for four Class 214 submarines after Athens rejected them for not meeting standard requirements.
“The defense ministry has sent personnel to Germany, who have discussed a deal with the shipbuilder,” the report said, citing an unnamed source in the military.
The ministry said it was unaware of the report and would continue negotiations to buy submarines from the US.
The Taiwanese navy operates four submarines, only two of which could be deployed in the event of war.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AFP
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