New amendments for vetting civil servants are to take effect tomorrow, starting with the top members of the Executive Yuan.
The premier and vice premier, as well as the secretary-general and two deputy secretary-generals of the Executive Yuan are to be the first to undergo the new vetting procedure mandated by amendments to the Regulations on Special Vetting of Public Officials Involved in National Security or Major National Interests (涉及國家安全或重大利益公務人員特殊查核辦法).
The Examination Yuan approved the amendments in coordination with the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration as a response to a rise in cases of spying by China.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Civil Service
The new vetting process includes more in-depth and more frequent background checks on civil servants, as well as those who they live with, such as their spouses and parents.
The amendments were announced yesterday and the new procedure starts tomorrow, said Lee Hua-shu (李花書), a director in the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration.
Inspections would be carried out periodically for officials who serve in their roles for extended periods and special attention would be given in situations in which the five major national security laws are contravened, Lee said.
The staff of officials who are not covered by the new rules would be asked to sign an agreement to submit to vetting, Lee said.
The Executive Yuan’s top five officials and their staff would have priority vetting, Executive Yuan spokeswoman Michelle Lee (李慧芝) told a news conference.
The procedure and schedule are still being processed by the Investigation Bureau, Lee Hua-shu said.
The scope of the background checks has expanded beyond the traditional focus on foreign intelligence agencies or representatives from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, after recent cases have indicated that some domestic organizations are controlled or directed by outside forces, she said.
Checks would include individuals who have unauthorized contact with such political organizations, as well as those being enticed or threatened, she added.
The amendments authorize the Investigation Bureau to collect financial information, such as bank account records, tax forms, remittances, with the written consent of the person in question.
If the person does not consent, they would be appointed to a different position, the mew rules say.
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