The Legislative Yuan yesterday approved Examination Yuan and National Communications Commission (NCC) nominees after Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers voted in favor of the nominations.
Examination Yuan presidential nominee Huang Jong-tsun (黃榮村), a former minister of education and China Medical University president, and vice presidential nominee Chou Hung-hsien (周弘憲), a former minister of civil service, each received 65 “yes” and three “no” votes.
The Legislative Yuan also approved nine Examination Yuan members: Council of Indigenous Peoples Deputy Minister Iwan Nawi; former Overseas Community Affairs Council minister Wu Hsin-hsing (吳新興); former deputy minister of education Yao Leeh-ter (姚立德); former department of health deputy director Wang Hsiu-hung (王秀紅); current Examination Yuan members Chen Tsi-yang (陳慈陽) and Yang Ya-hwei (楊雅惠); National Chengchi University Department of Public Finance chairwoman Ho Yi-cheng (何怡澄); Chang Jung Christian University professor emeritus Chen Chin-seng (陳錦生); and National Taiwan University professor Chou Lien-siang (周蓮香).
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
Chen Chin-seng and Chou Lien-siang received 63 “yes,” three “no” and one spoiled votes, while the other nominees were approved with 64 “yes” and three “no” votes.
During a question-and-answer session at the Legislative Yuan on Wednesday, Huang said that as head of the Examination Yuan, he would comply with any legislative efforts to abolish the Examination Yuan and the Control Yuan — a cause that has been advocated by many people.
If the legislature amends the Constitution to phase out these branches, Huang said he would ensure that the Examination Yuan transfers to other agencies its responsibilities for designing civil service entrance tests and evaluating the performances of civil servants.
Prior to the vote, three New Power Party (NPP) lawmakers said they would vote against the nominations, based on their refusal to turn in an eight-question survey from the lawmakers, which they said showed the nominees’ “arrogance.”
Acting NCC Chairman Chen Yaw-hsyang (陳耀祥) and former NCC deputy chairman Wong Po-tsung (翁柏宗) yesterday became NCC chairman and deputy chairman respectively after receiving a majority the DPP caucus’ votes.
First-time nominees National Taiwan University Graduate Institute of Journalism professor Lin Lih-yun (林麗雲) and National Taiwan Normal University Graduate Institute of Mass Communication chairwoman Wang Wei-ching (王維菁), as well as NCC spokesman Hsiao Chi-hung (蕭祈宏), were also approved.
The NPP caucus said prior to the vote that they would only approve the first-time nominees, as the incumbents and holdovers from the agency had not adequately cracked down on Chinese-sponsored media from churning out “fake news.”
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers withdrew from the vote and scrawled protests on the ballots, accusing the DPP of using the independent agency as a tool for persecuting political rivals.
Additional reporting by Chen Yun and Wu Su-wei
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
RSS