President Ma Ying-jeou is defending Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Wang Yu-chi’s handling of his former deputy’s departure.
The council is Taiwan’s top China-policy maker. Two weeks ago, the council announced that Deputy Minster Chang Hsien-yao had resigned because he wanted to spend more time with his family. But two days later, the council said that Chang had to be removed and subjected to an investigation because he allegedly leaked confidential information to China. Chang has denied the accusations and suggested that his removal was politically motivated.
On Thursday President Ma told the media that the case was handled appropriately. He was responding to criticism that the government’s incompetence led to an ugly fight. Some people, including a ruling Kuomintang lawmaker, have called for the resignation of the Mainland Affairs Council minister. But Ma is defending him.
"I think that very few governments in the world would spend so much time explaining this kind of case to the public," said Ma. "So far, I feel that the minister’s way of handling the case has been correct and appropriate. He should not have to step down," he said.