The NewsDepartment of Health Minister Yaung Chih-liang (楊志良) tendered his resignation in a shock move yesterday, saying he could not fulfill Premier Wu Den-yih’s (吳敦義) request that 75 percent of the insured be exempted from a proposal to increase national health insurance premiums.
Wu rejected Yaung’s resignation late last night, however. Executive Yuan spokesman Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) said the premier hoped Yaung would stay in the position.
Amendments to the National Security Act (國家安全法) that impose higher sentences and fines on people spying for China or other nations, and increase restrictions on retired officials visiting China were yesterday passed by the legislature.
Those found recruiting others in Taiwan under instructions from the Chinese government would be subject to at least seven years in prison and a fine of up to NT$100 million (US$3.19 million) under the amendments.
