Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Foiling graft takes more than words

Taipei Times Editorial

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Tuesday called for the establishment of an anti-corruption commission. Such a move was warranted, he said, to combat graft and meet public demands for clean government. He added that success depended on the resolve of government leaders, and therein lies the problem.

Ma is the head of a government, as well as a political party, that has long fought legislative efforts to battle corruption and enact necessary sunshine laws. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) — both in and out of power — has persistently dragged its feet on judicial reform. In addition, Ma wants the commission to be a unit of the Ministry of Justice, instead of being independent.

Swaziland reaffirms that ‘marriage’ with Taiwan will not end

Taipei Times

Swaziland’s foreign affairs minister reaffirmed the country’s ties with Taiwan, describing the relationship between the two countries as a marriage that will not end in a divorce, even if China were to approach the country.

During a talk with Taiwanese media on Tuesday, Swazi Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Lutfo Dlamini said that Swaziland and Taiwan “have [been] married for 42 years and we have a provision that there is no room for divorce.”

Taiwan nears Patriot contract: Raytheon

Taipei Times

Raytheon Co, the world’s largest missile maker, said Taiwan was close to signing a contract for three Patriot missile firing batteries and related equipment that the US agreed to sell to the country in January.

The order could be finalized as early as this year, after the legislature approves the accord, Sanjay Kapoor, vice president of Patriot programs, said in an interview at the Farnborough Air Show near London.

Taiwan judiciary needs reform, not KMT control

Taiwan News Editorial

Last Wednesday's shocking arrest of three Taiwan High Court judges, a prosecutor and two intermediaries for allegedly taking bribes from former senior Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) legislator and ex-Miaoli County commissioner Ho Chih-hui to purchase a "not guilty" verdict in a major corruption case has gravely damaged the reputation of Taiwan's judicial system.

Judicial Yuan President Lai Ing-jao, who had been appointed by former president Chen Shui-bian, submitted his resignation to President and KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou and also approved the resignation of Taiwan High Court President Huang Shui-tung.

More Articles...