Since even Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Officials of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB,
The officials said Chen's bold changes to the MJIB in its present form would put the country in a "dangerous situation."
Actually this was a warning to Chen Ting-nan that his reforms might put him in a "dangerous situation" just like the other former ministers who dared to try to move the secret system.
In the statement of MJIB officers, Chen Ting-nan was asked " to be prudent in making statements and careful in his conduct (
Two former justice ministers, Ma Ying-jeou and Liao Cheng-hao (廖正豪) were both reformers who were forced to leave their post after pressure from below. No wonder MJIB officials aren't the slightest bit embarrassed about threatening their new boss in public.
The officials have also claimed that the new minister's idea of transferring the bureau's political investigation functions to the National Security Bureau (
In earlier editorial on April 28, we cautioned Chen Ting-nan against being in too much of a hurry to change the entire system. Rather he should think carefully about the optimal timing of various stages of reform, rather than trying to move on all fronts simultaneously. But Chen also can't wait too long to establish his authority.
In the face of the MJIB's recalcitrance, Chen Ting-nan needs to get strong support from President-elect Chen Shui-bian to make his idea of reform into reality. The latter's talk of upgrading the status of the MJIB to the equivalent of the US' Federal Bureau of Investigation has given MJIB officials visions of lots more money, a lot more power and has also made them far more ready to challenge the the justice new minister.
Splitting the MJIB is to into two new organs in accordance with Chen Ting-nan's plan might focus the bureau's work. But there is work for it to do in another sphere, namely polishing its democratic spirit, its administrative impartiality -- though in this respect we think it is so far gone as to be beyond redemption -- and its adherence to the concept of "no fear, no favor."
Whether or not the FBI is the right model for Taiwan, there is still something for Taiwan to learn from American system.
In his book, Secrecy and Democracy: The CIA in Transition, Stansfield Turner stressed that the CIA had to be loyal to both the White House and Congress and that this was the first principle those joining the CIA learned.
A former director of the CIA during the Carter administration and a former four-star admiral of the US Navy, Turner is intimately acquainted with the realities of the national security agencies and their sometimes difficult relationship with democratic institutions. Turner's book would make a suitable gift from Chen Ting-nan to MJIB head Wang Kuang-ru (
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
As former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) wrapped up his visit to the People’s Republic of China, he received his share of attention. Certainly, the trip must be seen within the full context of Ma’s life, that is, his eight-year presidency, the Sunflower movement and his failed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, as well as his eight years as Taipei mayor with its posturing, accusations of money laundering, and ups and downs. Through all that, basic questions stand out: “What drives Ma? What is his end game?” Having observed and commented on Ma for decades, it is all ironically reminiscent of former US president Harry