The campaign to oust the president has had repercussions beyond the pan-green camp, as opposition party diehards began attacking their own chairman over the issue.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) came under fire yesterday from party members who accused him of keeping the upcoming protests aimed at removing President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) at arm's length to benefit his own agenda.
"Ma's weak attitude toward the [anti-Chen] campaign will surely hurt pan-blue supporters and make them angry," KMT Legislator Lin Yu-fang (林郁方) said yesterday, referring to Ma's refusal, in his role as Taipei mayor, to approve a permit for a round-the-clock sit-in.
Lin's remarks came after former Democratic Progressive Party chairman Shih Ming-teh (
"On one hand, Ma let everyone know that he donated NT$100 to the campaign, but, on the other hand, he refuse to allow the application for a round-the-clock sit-in," Shih said.
Shih said that Ma was actually not in favor of Chen's resignation.
If Chen retains his position, which Shih said was against the public's wish, Ma's campaign for the 2008 presidential election would benefit, he said.
Lin urged Ma not to try to avoid getting involved in controversy.
"Being `Teflon coated' on the issue of corruption in the Chen government will only make pan-blue supporters feel disappointed in him," Lin said.
Lin said that Ma had let his supporters down once in 2004, when he asked protesters who had gathered in front of the Presidential Office after the presidential election to leave.
"If Ma believes he can continue being `Teflon coated' and win the 2008 presidential election, then he's got another thing coming," Lin said.
Meanwhile, KMT lawmakers Ko Chun-hsiung (柯俊雄) and Lo Ming-tsai (羅明才) visited Shih's office to express their support for the campaign.
"Although Ma said that KMT will not participate in the anti-Chen campaign in the name of the party, most of the party's members, including Ma, do stand with Shih," Ko said.
Ko said that Ma had shown his support for Shih by contributing his NT$100, noting that there should be no doubt about Ma's intention to oust Chen.
Dismissing criticism that he was being "weak" in his handling of the anti-Chen sit-in, Ma yesterday said that he had already taken a firm stance when the KMT initiated the presidential recall motion in June.
"We had already taken a firm stance in June. [KMT legislators] should understand that I have always stood firm on my position," Ma said yesterday morning at the Taipei City Hall.
While stressing his personal support for the sit-in protest by donating NT$100, Ma said it was the Taipei City Government's responsibility to ensure public safety during the demonstration and that applications for street demonstrations must be filed following strict legal procedures.
"The city government will keep a balance between maintaining order and protecting the assembly rights of the people. We will protect the right to peaceful protest, but will enforce a ban on any acts of violence," Ma said.
"It's so strange that we are under attack by following the law ? We oppose a president who abused the law, but is it right to depose him in an illegal way?" Ma said.
In other news, Minister of National Defense Lee Jye (
Additional reporting by Shih Hsiu-chuan
also see stories:
Shih claims DPP worse than CCP
Pro-Chen legislator denies report of romantic liaison
Editorial: Ma's enemies take their chance
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College