TAIPEI: As expected, Taiwan Ma Ying-jeou has nominated "Deputy Minister of Justice" Huang Shih-ming to serve as the new prosecutor-general.

"Presidential" Office spokesman Wang Yu-chi announced Ma's decision yesterday, just hours before Ma's departure on a diplomatic trip that will take him to Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

The choice of Huang is not expected to draw criticism from the judicial community, given Huang's clean image, reputation for moral integrity, professional competence and no-nonsense working style, political analysts said.

The nomination is subject to confirmation by the Legislative Yuan, which is now on its winter recess. It is expected to deal with the matter after its new session opens next month.

Quoting a source familiar with legislative operations, Wang said the legislature is likely to exercise its power of consent on Huang's new post in April.

According to Wang, one of the key reasons behind Ma's decision is that Huang has consistently emerged as the most favored choice for the top prosecutorial post in a series of surveys conducted by the Prosecutors Association and the Prosecutors Reform Association in recent years.

Other factors include his strong record during his tenure as a chief prosecutor, his clean image and good reputation among ordinary people, and his outstanding performance in his current post as "Minister of Justice" Wang Ching-feng's deputy, Wang added.

If the legislature endorses the nomination, Huang will succeed Chen Tsung-ming, who tendered his resignation January 19 after being impeached by the watchdog Control Yuan for dereliction of official duty and lack of integrity.

Ma approved Chen's resignation the following day and, on January 22, named Tseng Yung-fu, a chief prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors Office, to serve as acting prosecutor-general.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 01/26/2010 page2)