Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Acting Chairperson Huang Min-hui (黃敏惠) yesterday urged president-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) not to let her pledges to push for transitional justice descend into “cheesy political slogans,” in her latest round of barbs aimed at the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) legislative proposals.
“Tsai promised modesty after she won last month’s presidential election. However, the DPP caucus has tabled a series of controversial proposals, such as those concerning the removal of portraits of Republic of China [ROC] founding father Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙) from public buildings and ‘ill-gotten’ party assets,” Huang said.
Huang said Tsai has listed transitional justice as one of her five major political reform plans and vowed to cement momentum for reform via collaboration.
Photo: Lo Pei-der, Taipei Times
“What exactly do you [Tsai] plan to transition to, justice or hatred?” Huang asked, urging the DPP chairperson to explain herself.
Huang said DPP Legislator Gao Jyh-peng’s (高志鵬) proposed amendment to the Oath Act (宣誓條例) — seeking to abolish the requirement that officials take the oath of office while facing portraits of Sun — has sparked fears that it is the first step in a DPP plan to do away with the ROC.
While the KMT is currently a minority in the legislature, it would nevertheless make an all-out effort to oppose Gao’s proposal, Huang said, reiterating the party’s unwavering determination to defend the ROC.
Regarding the issue of the KMT’s assets, Huang said the party plans to subject the issue to openness and public scrutiny, as evidenced by the KMT caucus’ submission of three draft bills, including a draft political party act, to address the matter on Tuesday.
“The KMT will subject its party assets to the most stringent standards. We will not take a cent from any assets that are deemed illegal,” Huang said.
Huang also cast doubt on the DPP’s version of a proposed presidential transition act, which she said some academics fear might be unconstitutional, including Academia Sinica associate researcher Huang Cheng-yi (黃丞儀), who has said that the bill is not only unconstitutional, but also irresponsible.
The KMT supports the institutionalization of presidential transitions and does not oppose the legislation of the process, but it cannot tolerate unconstitutional regulations, Huang said, adding that the DPP itself spoke against the passing of such an act in 2008.
The KMT has argued that the DPP’s proposal would restrict the presidential powers granted by the Constitution, citing proposed regulations that govern what an outgoing president may do, which tasks should be transferred to the president-elect and the legal status of the incoming president.
“If the DPP insists on carrying out political vendettas against its opponents under the pretext of transitional justice, its actions would certainly not be welcomed by the public,” Huang said.
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