Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Taiwanese should be in control: referendum

Allen Houng 洪裕宏

President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration recently decided that the issue of halting or continuing construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in Gongliao District (貢寮), New Taipei City (新北市), should be put to a referendum. Although no votes yet have been cast, it is almost certain that the public will lose unless a miracle occurs and voter turnout exceeds 9 million voters, half of all eligible voters, which is the requirement for a referendum to be legally binding.

The way a referendum question is phrased essentially decides its outcome, and that is a ridiculous state of affairs. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Ma is pulling yet another trick.

Nation take to streets against nuclear power

Taipei Times

Tens of thousands of anti-nuclear activists take part in a protest in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Reuters

“Halt construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, put an end to nuclear power,” massed crowds shouted as tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Taipei City yesterday afternoon. Protests also took place in Greater Taichung, Greater Kaohsiung and Taitung City as people called for the government to phase out the use of nuclear power.

The Taipei demonstration was initiated by an alliance of over 150 civic groups that support the goal of achieving a nuclear-free homeland.

Nuclear Power Debate: Academics slam referendum question

Taipei Times

The Taiwan Environmental Protection Union yesterday criticized the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) question for a proposed referendum on halting the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, saying the text showed that the party was exploiting the shortcomings of the Referendum Act (公民投票法) to ensure construction continues.

The wording of the proposal, which was unveiled on Thursday, says: “Do you agree that the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant should be halted and that it not become operational?” (你是否同意核四廠停止興建不得運轉).

Observations on the nuclear debate

Taipei Times Editorial

It is only March, but when Premier Jiang Yi-huah (江宜樺) said a referendum on the fate of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in Gongliao District (貢寮), New Taipei City (新北市), could be postponed until the end of the year, he indicated that the war between pro-nuclear and anti-nuclear activists, as well as between political parties, could last for an entire year.

While that means the public would probably have to endure more mudslinging between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), a delay could be a good thing, as the public would have more time to digest information and assess the pros and cons of the issue.

More Articles...