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Control Yuan fails to impeach top
prosecutor
By Lee Hsin-fang / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Prosecutor-General Huang Shih-ming
smiles for the cameras as he appears at a Prosecutors’ Evaluation Committee
meeting in Taipei on Sunday for questioning over allegations that he leaked
classified information.
Photo: CNA
The Control Yuan yesterday failed to
impeach the nation’s top prosecutor at the center of a political storm involving
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平).
Despite repeated calls by the opposition for his resignation, state
Prosecutor-General Huang Shih-ming (黃世銘) gained some breathing space after the
Control Yuan vote ended in a tie.
According to Control Yuan regulations, a tie is considered a vote against the
motion.
The case stems from allegations that Huang leaked classified information by
briefing the president on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 about an ongoing investigation
into alleged improper lobbying by Wang. The incident snowballed into a political
scandal following revelations that the Special Investigation Division (SID),
which Huang heads, wiretapped the legislature.
Huang later apologized for what he said was the SID’s negligence in mistakenly
wiretapping the legislature’s switchboard.
Huang was indicted on Nov. 1. He has said that he would step down if he was
impeached over his role in the wiretapping of the legislature’s telephone line
and alleged leaking of classified information.
Control Yuan member Hung Te-hsuan (洪德旋) —who initiated the investigation into
the case after the Control Yuan received complaints by the Judicial Reform
Foundation that said the government watchdog should look into Huang’s and the
SID’s actions and determine their administrative responsibility in the case —
declined to comment on the result of the voting.
He also declined to comment when asked by reporters whether he would refile the
motion against Huang.
However, one Control Yuan member who wished to remain anonymous, voiced
indignation over the voting result.
“I am very angry. People can’t tell right from wrong,” the official said.
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