Official probed over 'people-or-Party' blunder

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-22 17:27

ZHENGZHOU: An official in central China's Henan Province has been suspended from his post and is under investigation for asking a question that made "the people" and the Communist Party mutually exclusive, local authorities said Monday.

"Lu Jun has been suspended for an improper sentence he uttered, which is contrary to the purpose of the Communist Party of China (CPC)," Yao Daixian, head of the Organization Department of the CPC Zhengzhou city committee, told Xinhua.

The CPC Constitution states that the Party represents "the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people."

However, Lu Jun, urban planning development vice director of Zhengzhou city, asked a reporter who was investigating a development issue: "Will you speak for the Party? Or will you speak for the people?"

The report was about a suspicious property scheme in Xigang village of Zhengzhou, where a developer had permission to build affordable housing for low-income people. Instead, 12 villas and two mid-rise buildings were erected.

The reporter of China National Radio recorded Lu's words when questioning him on the issue.

The report was broadcast by the radio station on June 17 and quickly caused a stir on the Internet.

Internet users posted the report and nominated "Will you speak for the People? or Will you speak for the Party" as the catch-phrase of 2009. Some named Lu "the official who dares most to speak the truth during 2009."

Internet users also claimed that Lu had photoshopped Chinese President Hu Jintao's hairstyle on to his own profile picture posted on the Zhengzhou government website.

"Lu Jun told me that what he had said did not coincide with the report," said Yao, adding his bureau had investigated in the property scheme and Lu's comments. He declined to elaborate.