With less than three weeks until the Dec. 1 elections, almost all the candidates and parties have released campaign ads. However, the exaggerations and often flat-out lies in these ads often seem to do the candidates a disservice.
The DPP released a series of TV ads that named opposition lawmakers who, it claimed, had slashed the budgets for some very important social welfare and educational programs. Naturally, the release of the ads triggered major protests from opposition parties and the named legislators.
The funny thing is, the opposition parties had brought this onto themselves. Several opposition lawmakers had boasted in their campaign ads how much money they had managed to slash from budgets. Of course, such ads are inherently misleading, if not deceiving, as budget reviews are typically conducted jointly by all parties. It would seem extremely arrogant for anyone to claim personal credit for any particular adjustment. It is, however, nicely ironic to see the DPP turn the tables on the opposition.
Looking on the bright side, at least these ads focus on what the incumbent lawmakers have actually accomplished during their terms. Based on these accomplishments, or lack of them, voters can rationally decide whether these individuals should be elected for another term. The opposition lawmakers named in the DPP ads really have no need to overreact. If they feel that they had good reason to slash these budgets, they are free to defend themselves and the voters can judge whether their reasons are acceptable.
Actually it is high time that Taiwan's legislators were held accountable to their constituents for what they have done in the legislature. Tell the voters what bills they have helped enact and which budgets they have slashed. Voters need to know what their lawmakers do in the Legislative Yuan, besides deliberately making fools out of themselves in front of the TV cameras to get some air time.
But a lot of ads are just plain stupid. For example, New Party candidate Yok Mu-ming's (
Then there is the campaign ad of independent candidate Wei Yi-lung (
Amazingly, New Party lawmaker and Beijing's chief Taiwan-based apologist Elmer Feng (馮滬祥) is one of a few candidates stating substantive policy proposals in their ads. Unfortunately, Feng's slogan is: "Save Taiwan with `One country, two systems' (一國兩制救台灣)." One can hardly believe this is the campaign slogan of a man who got on his knees and wailed during the funeral of his former master, Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國), who masterminded the old "three nos" policy -- no contact, no compromise, and no negotiation -- for relations with China. Chiang is probably rolling over in his grave right now.
To be fair, Taiwan's media must bear some responsibility for this absurd campaign culture. The media hardly ever report the performance of lawmakers in their jobs, neither review it at election time or report on it regularly while the legislature is in session. They are only interested in stealing the attention of readers with coverage of sensational speeches and the boorish conduct of some lawmakers. Make a fresh start, starting with this election.
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