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
SPACE VETERAN: Kjell N. Lindgren, who helps lead NASA’s human spaceflight missions, has been on two expeditions on the ISS and has spent 311 days in space Taiwan-born US astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren is to visit Taiwan to promote technological partnerships through one of the programs organized by the US for its 250th national anniversary. Lindgren would be in Taiwan from Tuesday to Saturday next week as part of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ US Speaker Program, organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a statement yesterday. Lindgren plans to engage with key leaders across the nation “to advance cutting-edge technological partnerships and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers,”
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday said it opposes the introduction of migrant workers from India until a mechanism is in place to prevent workers from absconding. Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) on Thursday told the Legislative Yuan that the first group of migrant workers from India could be introduced as early as this year, as part of a government program. The caucus’ opposition to the policy is based on the assessment that “the risk is too high,” KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) said. Taiwan has a serious and long-standing problem of migrant workers absconding from their contracts, indicating that
UNREASONABLE SURVEILLANCE: A camera targeted on an road by a neighbor captured a man’s habitual unsignaled turn into home, netting him dozens of tickets The Taichung High Administrative Court has canceled all 45 tickets given to a man for failing to use a turn signal while driving, as it considered long-term surveillance of his privacy more problematic than the traffic violations. The man, surnamed Tseng (曾), lives in Changhua County and was reported 45 times within a month for failing to signal while driving when he turned into the alley where his residence is. The reports were filed by his neighbor, who set up security cameras that constantly monitored not only the alley but also the door and yard of Tseng’s house. The surveillance occurred from July
TRADE-OFF: Beijing seeks to trade a bowl of tempura for a Chinese delicacy, an official said, while another said its promises were attempts to interfere in the polls The government must carefully consider the national security implications of building a bridge connecting Kinmen County and Xiamen, China, the Public Construction Commission (PCC) said yesterday. PCC Commissioner Derek Chen (陳金德), who is also a minister without portfolio, made the remarks in a meeting of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, after Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hsu Fu-kuei (徐富癸) asked about China’s proposal of new infrastructure projects to further connect Kinmen and Lienchiang (Matsu) counties with Xiamen. China unveiled the bridge plan, along with nine other policies for Taiwan, on Sunday, the last day of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s (鄭麗文) visit
RSS