An official in the Military Intell-igence Bureau became a target of controversy at the legislature yesterday after opposition lawmakers accused him of violating the principle of political neutrality as he joined a DPP-founded training program.
Deputy Minister of National Defense Chen Chao-ming (陳肇敏) agreed to look into the case in which Liu Ming-tzan (劉明燦), a director in the bureau, was discovered to be a student of Ketagalan Academy, according to a student list released by the institution on Sunday.
But an academy official said the accusations were unfounded and emphasized that although the academy was established by the DPP, it is a financially-independent organization which does not belong to any party.
Saying soldiers are prohibited from taking part in any political activities under the national defense law, PFP lawmakers Lin Yu-fang (林郁方) and Chin Huei-chu (秦慧珠) blasted the DPP for lacking the resolve to push for the army's nationalization and political neutrality of defense personnel.
Chen said the colonel, who is reportedly in charge of information-gathering from China, registered at the academy of his own will without reporting to the ministry or the bureau and neither departments was aware of his interest in the organization.
But the deputy ministry promised to look into the case in accordance with the law.
Opposition lawmakers also called on the ministry to investigate if the academy had exposed national secrets by announcing the name of the nation's intelligence agents.
A brainchild of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to cultivate talent for the party, the academy made public a list of its members of the first session, which will begin this Saturday.
Regardless of the statement that the institution is not affiliated with the party, the students and lecturers are predominantly DPP members -- those who are friendly with the party or who seek to build ties with the ruling party.
The 40 members on the list include politicians, business leaders and managers of social groups.
The 33-year-old Diana Chen (陳敏薰), newly appointed chairperson of the China Development Financial Holding Corp, courted the most attention as she is said to be eager to establish connections with the DPP to secure her position.
Media speculation suggests that the DPP was considering changing her post to prevent the organization from sponsoring the KMT during next year's presidential election.
Others include Government Information Office Deputy Director Lee Cher-jean (李雪津), DPP lawmakers Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) and Lawrence Gao (高志鵬), as well as Chairman of the Taiwan Salt Industrial Corp Cheng Pao-Ching (鄭寶清).
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