How will high-ranking KMT officials adjust themselves to the change of government? It seems that we have seen some inconsistent behavior.
Chief of the General Staff General Tang Yao-ming
Among those who have announced their resignations, Vice President of the Examination Yuan John C. Kuan
Kuan cannot wait to leave his post because he cannot stand the thought of working for the new government even for one day.
That reminds me of a famous story from Chinese history. Poyi
The brothers told Wu: "How can anyone who starts a war before his father is properly buried be considered a filial son? How can anyone who killed his emperor be considered a loyal official?"
Wu later defeated the emperor and established the Chou Dynasty. Poyi and Shuchi then refused to eat Chou food and eventually starved to death at Shouyang Mountain
Mencius praised the two brothers as "upright saints." They were considered role-models for loyal officials during China's long feudal history. Many temples were built to commemorate them.
Ku Yen-wu
In the old days, whenever a dynasty fell, its bureaucrats had few choices: become a martyr by committing suicide, revolt against the new dynasty, take early retirement or choose to serve the new dynasty.
Committing suicide was considered the virtuous thing to do and was highly praised. Those who chose to live were considered lacking in virtue, but those who decided to serve the new dynasty were publicly scorned for what was seen as their greed and cowardice.
From this historical viewpoint, Kuan can be considered as a loyal official.
However, the rotation of ruling parties is different from the change of dynasties. Party rotation does not bring about the end of a country. Our country is not under the rule of a group of aristocrats headed by an emperor.
Since President Lee Teng-hui
If Kuan insists on resigning to protect his virtuous image, then how should we view those KMT officials and judges who decide to stay on board?
Kuan has obviously resigned over the KMT's defeat. As a government official groomed by the KMT, Kuan does not feel he can be at peace unless he resigns. He is at most a loyal official -- according to the standards of an era in which the KMT and the our country were one.
However, to the people, there is no need for loyal officials such as Kuan in today's democratic era. All we need are law-abiding public servants.
Government administrators who are not political appointees are just doing their jobs and being law-abiding by resigning along with the president and the premier. There is no need to flatter them with the label of super-loyal official.
On the other hand, there is no need to label those who decide to resign as loyal officials either.
In addition, the reliance on talent across party lines has clearly become the new trend. If we still value people based on feudal concepts, we are only deluding ourselves.
For those who do remain committed to ancient traditions, we should joyfully bid them farewell, because their departure in no way jeopardizes the interests of the people.
Chen Ro-jinn is a freelance writer.
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