A KMT lawmaker yesterday joined the call for the government to practice belt-tightening by saying that Presidential Secretary-General Chen Shih-meng (陳師孟) does not merit a salary equal to that of the premier.
KMT Legislator Chen Chieh (
"As a political appointee, Chen Shih-meng should be paid at most NT$190,000 a month," the lawmaker said during a meeting of the Budget and Final Account Committee.
"But he collects a monthly salary of NT$370,000, which is out of proportion with his position," Chen Chieh said.
He demanded Auditor-General Su Chen-ping (
Su said he would do some fact-finding after he returned to his office. He said all government officials are paid according to the formula drafted by the Central Personnel Administration.
Later in the day, Chen Shih-meng's aides said their boss is not enjoying any special privileges since his predecessors received the same salary.
Chen Shih-meng has frequently refused to testify before the legislature. During a rare appearance before a committee last week, he told opposition lawmakers he "did not care to remark" on the aborted meeting between the president and the chairman of the PFP.
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