The ministers in the new Cabinet with KMT membership are expected to face disciplinary action from the party for violating a KMT policy that prohibits members from assuming political appointments in the DPP government in their personal capacity.
Chen Kang-chin (
PHOTO: GEORGE TSRONG, TAIPEI TIMES
Chen said his committee is considering taking the severest punishment, such as an ouster, against these members.
"Political appointees should have style. As we are practicing party politics, members of a party should be loyal to their party instead of straddling the fence," Chen said.
Those affected include Minister of National Defense-designate Tang Yao-ming (湯曜明) and Council of Aboriginal Affairs chairman-designate Chen Chien-nien (陳建年) as well as Yang Teh-chih (楊德智), who will be re-appointed chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Commission.
Meanwhile, Straits Exchange Foundation Vice Chairman Shi Hwei-yow (許惠祐), who will take over as deputy secretary-general to the Presidential Office, will also be punished.
Though Shi's new position is not one in the new Cabinet, it is nevertheless a political appointment that goes with the transition of power, Chen said.
The ban was adopted by the KMT early this month in line with its decision not to join the cross-party alliance for national stabilization proposed by President Chen Shui-bian (
The ban covers offices such as ministerial-level positions, some vice ministerial-level positions filled by political appointees and positions of minister without portfolio. It, however, does not include government positions with fixed tenures.
Under this principle, outgoing Minister of Finance Yen Ching-chang (
In the event of an ouster, two options are available.
Although both "expulsion" and "revocation of membership" mean ouster from the party, according to KMT rules, an expulsion is a more severe punishment .
Those who have their membership revoked can have it restored one year later. Members who are expelled are not allowed to rejoin until two years after their ouster.
Chen Chien-nien yesterday said he would accept whatever punishment the party decides to take against him. Chen Chien-nien met with KMT Secretary-General Lin Fong-cheng (
Chen said he accepted the chairmanship of the Council of Aboriginal Affairs because he was deeply touched by President Chen's enthusiasm to improve the well-being of Aborigines.
Chen emphasized that his decision to take the post did not mean he had coveted a position in the government, but was due to his desire to do something for the nation's Aborigines.
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