Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators yesterday were divided over whether incoming government officials should retain their party positions.
The issue arose after KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) earlier this week asked Presidential Office secretary-general-designate Chan Chun-po (詹春柏) and Straits Exchange Foundation chairman-designate Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) to stay on as KMT vice chairmen.
The move contradicts promises made by president-elect Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to separate the government and the party, as Chan and Chiang would take part in the KMT Central Standing Committee, its highest decision-making body.
Ma had said while campaigning for the presidency that he would separate the government and the party, and pledged not to hold concurrent posts as KMT chairman or other party positions if elected.
When asked to comment, KMT Legislator Shyu Jong-shyoung (徐中雄) expressed his opposition to Chan’s intention to double as vice chairman of the KMT after becoming secretary-general of the Presidential Office.
“This [separating party and administrative affairs] is a democratic principle. We cannot go backwards. We are all grown-ups. We should know what to do,” he said.
However, KMT caucus deputy secretary-general Wu Yu-sheng (吳育昇) urged the public not to dismiss Chan’s decision.
Wu said what the president-elect promised before the presidential poll was that he would not double as party chairman after assuming office.
Wu added that it would be impossible for the KMT to allow its party headquarters to dominate the administration again as it did before.
Chan may be able to help ensure smooth communications between party headquarters, the legislative caucus and the administration if he stays on as KMT vice chairman, Wu said.
When asked for comment, KMT caucus whip Lin Yi-shih (林益世) said President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) also previously doubled as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party.
Lin urged the public to judge Chan’s decision by an equal standard.
In response to concerns that Ma had failed to keep his campaign promise, Ma’s spokesman Luo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said the KMT vice chairman was responsible for negotiating and communicating in the party, and did not participate in the decision-making process.
When asked whether Chan and Chiang should refuse to serve as KMT vice chairmen, Luo said the issue could be discussed.
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