The opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan yesterday voted down President William Lai’s (賴清德) nomination of Hsu Hsi-hsiang (徐錫祥) as prosecutor-general.
With the rejection, the Ministry of Justice, the parent agency of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, would, as a matter of practice, submit a recommendation through the Cabinet for the president to appoint an acting prosecutor-general once incumbent Hsing Tai-chao (邢泰釗) completes his four-year term tomorrow.
The acting prosecutor-general is likely to be selected from among the office’s two head prosecutors, including Hsu.
Photo: CNA
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (傅?萁) said that if the prosecutor-general is unable to exercise authority independently and instead follows the president’s instructions, “we have no expectations at all.”
The KMT caucus decided to act in step with the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) caucus and block Hsu, he added.
At a news conference outside the legislative chamber, TPP Legislator Wang An-hsiang (王安祥) said Hsu lacked “core experience,” particularly in handling appeals and reviewing cases.
Hsu has also held political roles, such as deputy director of the National Security Bureau and deputy minister of justice, raising questions as to how well he would be able to differentiate between the political and judicial spheres, Wang said.
TPP Secretary-General Chou Yu-shiu (周榆修) said that a review of the caucus questionnaire and his remarks at the public hearing “show that Hsu did not outline a clear direction for judicial reform and did not take an active stance on the issue.”
“The core of the justice system lies in independent adjudication and investigation,” Chou added. “There are concerns that if the national security apparatus continues to expand its role into the prosecution system, it could erode public confidence in judicial fairness.”
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) said the opposition has repeatedly blocked personnel nominations put forward by the Lai administration, including candidates for the Constitutional Court, the National Communications Commission, the Central Election Commission, the Examination Yuan, and the board and supervisors of Public Television Service.
“The opposition should not seek to paralyze government operations,” she said. “The blanket obstruction not only affects public services and social progress, but could also discourage qualified professionals from entering public service.”
Hsu has more than 30 years of prosecutorial experience and has handled cases involving drug trafficking, economic crimes, violent crime, intellectual property, environmental protection, corruption and election-related investigations, as well as cases involving the protection of women and children, the Presidential Office said.
Hsu has served as head prosecutor at district prosecutors’ offices in Kinmen, Hsinchu, Changhua County and New Taipei City. He has also served as head prosecutor of the Taichung branch of the High Prosecutors’ Office and as deputy minister of justice.
Hsu previously served as head of the Ethics Office at the Coast Guard Administration and National Security Bureau deputy director-general.
Additional reporting by Lin Hsin-han and Lin Che-yuan
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