Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Ma’s swelling credibility gap

Taipei Times Editorial

“How credible are President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) words?” is an oft-repeated question these days, even among members of his own Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), after Ma reportedly set his sights on another term as party chairman.

Putting aside the legal debate surrounding the Civil Organization Act (人民團體法) on whether he is even eligible to run again, Ma, from the perspective of political accountability, would be well advised to review his past rhetoric and his performance as party chairman before deciding whether a third term would be beneficial to the party or his own political track record.

Legislator Hsu Chung-hsin says decision in Chen case was politically motivated

Michael Richardson

Taiwan Political Prisoner Report, Jan. 22, 2013. Legislator Hsu Chung-hsin granted an interview about the case of former Republic of China in-exile President Chen Shui-bian. Hsu is not a member of Chen’s political party, the Democratic Progressive Party, but instead is one of three legislators serving under the Taiwan Solidarity Union banner. Legislator Hsu is also an attorney and law professor who speaks English. Hsu received his law degree from Cambridge University in Great Britain and is well positioned to provide an independent analysis of the controversial case.

US representative says A-bian should be paroled

Taipei Times

US Representative Steven Chabot, the chairman of the US House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, on Tuesday told a Taiwanese delegation in Washington that he felt that former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) should be granted medical parole.

Chabot, a long-time Taiwan supporter, made the comments when the delegation, led by Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), visited him and Representative Grace Meng (孟昭文) on Capitol Hill a day after US President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.

Legislator Liu Chien-kuo says Chen Shui-bian’s case shows jury system is needed (Photos)

Michael Richardson

Interview with Legislator Liu Chien-kuo in his office

Taiwan Political Prisoner Report, Jan. 21, 2013. Legislator Liu Chien-kuo says that most people in Taiwan agree that Chen Shui-bian did not get a fair trial. Liu welcomed the opportunity to speak on the topic of Chen’s prosecution.

“A very, very unfair trial,” said Liu. “In that proceeding, they replaced the judge for a hit man for the government. Most everyone in Taiwan says that is not legal, the judge is illegal.”

More Articles...