To quickly end the row between two of his vice ministers over a raging school finance scandal, Minister of Education Ovid Tzeng (
"I will make a decision in one or two days," Tzeng said in response to a question posed by KMT Legislator Kuo Su-chun (
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
On Monday, vice education ministers Lin Chao-hsien (林昭賢) and Fan Sun-lu (范巽綠) engaged in a war or words after Fan publicly insinuated that Lin was involved in the financial scandal surrounding the private Jin-Wen Institute of Technology (景文技術學院).
The two publicly attacked each other, with Lin criticizing Fan as "a layman leading a group of professionals [who] has failed to win the hearts of the staff in the ministry because of her bossiness."
Lin also compared her relationship with Tzeng to a couple who "appear united outwardly but are divided in their hearts."
Striking back, Fan criticized Lin for failing to avoid involvement with special interest groups.
Since the incident erupted, there has been speculation that Lin will be replaced and David Lee (
Facing an interrogation by lawmakers, Tzeng declined to respond directly as to how he will handle the matter.
"The issue will be taken care of cautiously because it is important to maintain a good team in the ministry ... I will make a final decision in one or two days," said the minister, while dismissing the rumors that he had any candidate in mind to replace Lin.
Lin has been on leave since the incident occurred.
Fan, the other party to the feud, was present at the legislative meeting yesterday and faced a volley of questions from lawmakers, who asked if she was indeed as her colleague had described.
"Everyone in the ministry knows there are two ministers in the ministry, one is Tzeng -- who only has a nominal title, the other is the autocratic vice minister Fan," said New Party lawmaker Chang Shih-liang (
Chang also quoted allegations in the letter that contend Fan's husband interferes in the ministry's affairs: "To [help her] realize her ambition to climb to the minister's position, Fan's husband is seen frequently to intervene in the ministry's affairs."
Fan refuted the letter's allegations and said it was meant to blacken her reputation.
She added that she welcomes any investigation into her conduct if lawmakers consider it necessary.
Fan said that she is known for her devotion and hard work, but called herself "an amateur" when it comes to coping with bureaucracy.
She said it could be this inexperience that prompts people to criticize her job performance.
Meanwhile, Tzeng described his relationship with Fan as one which may not appear united on the outside, but was not divided on the inside, because despite having different management styles, they both share common beliefs.
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