Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Legislator Wu Chun-cheng (吳春城) today announced his resignation following allegations that he proposed a bill for personal gain, saying he had considered stepping down after the bill was passed, but decided to stay to respond to the accusations.
It is expected that Liu Shu-pin (劉書彬), a professor from Soochow University’s Department of Political Science, is to take his place, according to TPP organization policy.
The Legislative Yuan convened today with Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) giving a report and answering questions. Wu was the first to begin questioning.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Wu placed a framed photograph on the lectern of the legislature passing the third reading of the Act Promoting Development for Strong Generation Policies and Industries (壯世代政策與產業發展促進法) on Jan. 7, which was promulgated on Jan. 24.
The law defines the “strong generation” as those aged 55 and over with the ability and willingness to work, and stipulates that the government is responsible for making policies that help the aging population lead a better life.
At the end of his speech, Wu said that the new policy “belongs to the people” and that “a great battle has been fought,” which he would leave to “blossom” while he returns to his original calling as a missionary.
He said he is thankful to the many officials who helped him push through the legislation in the past year, including Cho and Minister Without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), as well as government agencies that helped plan policies for the aging population.
The “strong generation” act was supported by many cross-party legislators and was scrupulously examined by multiple committees and plenary sessions, he added.
Once the third reading was passed, he said to himself: “My duty here in the Legislative Yuan is done. Hallelujah,” Wu said.
Wu denied allegations in the past month that he had conflicting personal interests in pushing the bill through, calling them attempts to “tarnish his reputation and the reputation of the policy,” he said.
Last month, Democratic Progressive Party members accused Wu of using his position as head of the Strong Generation Association to secure contracts and register trademarks.
They accused Wu of illegal profiteering, using the term “strong generation” to cheat people and helping companies, organizations and social enterprises with which he was affiliated to gain government contracts.
Wu previously said that he had resigned from all positions within the association on Jan. 24, following which he had no power to make decisions.
Today, Wu said he had already considered resigning once the bill was passed as his duty was done, but he wished to pass the baton to the next legislator.
However, due to the subsequent attacks, he said he felt compelled to stay and carry out his responsibility until he told TPP leaders of his intent to resign 10 days ago.
Cho thanked Wu for his comments and said he respects his decision.
The TPP in a statement said it respects Wu’s decision.
Wu has dedicated his life to advocating for the “strong generation,” it said, expressing confidence that on his return to civilian life, he would continue to spread awareness of the importance of his policy and ideals.
The party also pledged to continue addressing challenges faced by all generations due to Taiwan’s aging population.
Additional reporting by Lin Hsin-han
Travel agencies in Taiwan are working to secure alternative flights for travelers bound for New Zealand for the Lunar New Year holiday, as Air New Zealand workers are set to strike next week. The airline said that it has confirmed that the planned industrial action by its international wide-body cabin crew would go ahead on Thursday and Friday next week. While the Auckland-based carrier pledged to take reasonable measures to mitigate the impact of the workers’ strike, an Air New Zealand flight arriving at Taipei from Auckland on Thursday and another flight departing from Taipei for Auckland on Saturday would have to
The Taipei City Government yesterday confirmed that it has negotiated a royalties of NT$12.2 billion (US$380 million) with artificial intelligence (AI) chip giant Nvidia Corp, with the earliest possible signing date set for Wednesday next week. The city has been preparing for Nvidia to build its Taiwan headquarters in Beitou-Shilin Technology Park since last year, and the project has now entered its final stage before the contract is signed. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said the city government has completed the royalty price negotiations and would now push through the remaining procedures to sign the contract before
Taipei Zoo welcomes the Lunar New Year this year through its efforts to protect an endangered species of horse native to central Asia that was once fully extinct outside of captivity. The festival ushering in the Year of the Horse would draw attention to the zoo’s four specimens of Przewalski’s horse, named for a Russian geographer who first encountered them in the late 19th century across the steppes of western Mongolia. “Visitors will look at the horses and think that since this is the Year of the Horse: ‘I want to get to know horses,’” said zookeeper Chen Yun-chieh, who has been
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said the name of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania was agreed by both sides, after Lithuania’s prime minister described a 2021 decision to let Taiwan set up a de facto embassy in Vilnius as a “mistake.” Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene, who entered office in September last year, told the Baltic News Service on Tuesday that Lithuania had begun taking “small first steps” aimed at restoring ties with Beijing. The ministry in a statement said that Taiwan and Lithuania are important partners that share the values of freedom and democracy. Since the establishment of the
RSS