Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou's (
The party's Central Standing Committee (CSC) yesterday passed Ma's appointment of KMT Legislator Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) as its new secretary-general and Yang Chao-nong (楊炤濃) (also known as Yang Tu, 楊渡), former deputy editorial writer at the Chinese-language newspaper the China Times, as the chairman of the Culture and Communications Committee.
KMT Secretary-General Chan Chun-po (詹春柏) will be promoted to serve as the party's vice chairman, while Acting Culture and Communications Committee Chairman Huang Yu-cheng (黃玉振), who also serves as KMT spokesman, will become vice chairman of the party's Policy Committee.
The recruitment of Yang and Su Jin-pin (蘇俊賓), chief of the Taoyuan County Government's environmental protection bureau, as new party spokesman, did not require approval from the CSC as the position was not a first-level position.
While Ma's appointments were expected, many CSC members were dissatisfied with the recruitment of Yang and Su, criticizing their lack of party loyalty.
Yang only applied to join the party last Friday.
"He only joined the KMT for the position ? [Ma's use of people] could prompt the party's systems to fall apart, because no one will want to stay at the low levels and fight for the party," KMT Legislator Ting Shou-chung (
Although a KMT member and former assistant to KMT Legislator Shyu Jong-shyoung (
"I suggested that the party give the younger generation more of a chance ... The one who criticized the KMT is now invited to become its spokesperson, this is quite controversial," KMT Legislator Yao Chiang-lin (
Ting said that the KMT should allow the CSC to cast votes on the appointment of the party's spokesman and its committee chairman.
"Otherwise anyone who wants to be a top-level KMT official can criticize the party and then the next moment join the party," he added.
Shyu and KMT Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (
"I believe in Su's capability and loyalty to the party. Many KMT members could be more critical of the party," Shyu said.
CSC member Lee De-wei (
Receiving the petition from Lee, Ma said that the KMT welcomed different voices, but he declined to make further comments on his appointments.
Facing growing concern from party members, Ma later urged party members to embrace people with different backgrounds and give them an opportunity to prove themselves, while inviting Su and Yang to present their future goals to the CSC after tomorrow's hand-over ceremony.
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