Disgraced former National Assembly speaker Su Nan-cheng (
Su retains his seat in the National Assembly despite confirmation nearly two months ago that his party membership had been revoked by the disciplinary committee.
The punitive action was taken when Su was identified as a principal figure in the National Assembly vote on Sept. 3 to extend the terms of Assembly members by two years.
This vote effectively passed a set of controversial reforms to the constitution and was opposed by both the KMT and DPP leaderships.
Chen Gene-tzan (3紐?g), director of the organizational department of the KMT, said yesterday that Su is appealing for a re-examination of his disciplinary case and until the appeal was heard, Su was technically still a party member.
"On Sept. 9, I sent a letter to the Central Election Committee and requested it to relieve Su of his seat in the Assembly, on the grounds that his party membership was revoked," Chen said.
"But I was scolded by high party officials for moving too hastily, and I had to retrieve the letter on Sept. 17," Chen said, "The pressure for me [to take back the request] was intense."
The reason for withdrawing the request, Chen explained, was because the party charter states a disciplined member is entitled to file an appeal within 30 days of receiving notice of his penalty.
"It is a procedural justice that should be given to Su," Chen said.
Su could not be reached until Sept. 22, and filed his appeal on Oct. 19, Chen said.
However, there is no time limit on when the appeal must be heard, admitted Chien Wei-chang (
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