TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Communications Commission (NCC) extended Vice Chairperson Wong Po-tsung’s (翁柏宗) tenure and appointed him as acting chairperson on Tuesday (July 30).

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) in a press conference on July 31 accused the government of exploiting the gap between the passage of the amendment to the National Communications Commission Organization Act and the amendment taking effect. Huang explained that the old law allowed NCC members to have virtually no term limit, which the amendment sought to correct, per CNA.

Huang acknowledged the technical legality of the appointment but asserted that it violated the spirit of the amendment. He also pointed out Wong’s involvement in a major scandal, involving the leaking of classified information regarding the television licensing review process.

Huang questioned the Cabinet’s decision to appoint Wong, suggesting political influence was behind the move.

A reporter asked Huang why the Legislative Yuan did not forward the amendment to the Cabinet when it was passed on July 16. Huang noted the number of acts passed in the Legislative Yuan on that day but suggested asking the Legislative Yuan Secretariat about the delay.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) defended the Cabinet’s decision, citing the legality of the extension under current law and asserting that the action was not intended to offend the Legislative Yuan. Regarding the delay in the amendment’s passage, Hung expressed confusion over the slow process that led to the issue.

DPP Legislator Lai Sui-lung (賴瑞隆) said the extension and appointment were short-term solutions to staffing issues within the NCC. Lai hoped that a special session in mid-August could restore the NCC to full capacity.