TAIPEI: The Legislative Yuan will begin the confirmation process for the prosecutor-general nominee when the new session opens February 23, the ruling and the opposition caucuses agreed yesterday.

On the opening day of the new session, the legislature will invite "Premier" Wu Den-yih and other government officials to give administrative reports and answer questions in a general assembly.

The legislature will also start the process for the confirmation of Huang Shih-ming, "deputy Justice Minister", who was nominated by Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou to serve as the top prosecutor.

Huang's qualifications and capabilities will first be reviewed by the Legislative Yuan's Justice and Interior Committees, after which his confirmation will be put to a vote by lawmakers.

Huang's confirmation as Taiwan's top prosecutor will require the approval of half of the lawmakers present in the session.

If the legislature endorses Huang's nomination, he 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.

The prosecutor-general in Taiwan serves for a single four-year term.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 01/28/2010 page2)