Scandals and feuds aren't like old soldiers -- they don't just fade away. The latest scandals to monopolize the headlines are also proof that it will take years before all the dirty laundry hidden by the KMT government is discovered and dealt with. At the root of the scandals is a struggle for control over Taiwan's national security apparatus. But this power struggle is linked to the old grudge-match between former president Lee Teng-hui (
Control Yuan member Kang Ning-hsiang (
Kang's report also addresses the murder of navy Captain Yin Ching-feng (
But Kang's report was almost completely over-shadowed yesterday by the growing furor over claims by former National Security Bureau (NSB) cashier -- and alleged embezzler -- Liu Kuan-chun (
The timing of Liu's leaks is certainly a sign that the power struggle between the old and new guard -- between mainlander and Taiwanese -- in the national security institutions that erupted after President Chen Shui-bian (
The NSB was quick to suggest that Next magazine might have violated national security laws by reporting Liu's allegations, although it didn't seem equally upset with the China Times for doing exactly the same thing. Despite an attempt to block publication of Next's latest issue, both the magazine and the China Times gave extensive coverage to Liu's allegations yesterday.
More allegations and counter-allegations will surely be aired in the coming days. But one thing is clear. The attempt to place blame for past wrongdoings should not sideline efforts to prevent such mistakes from happening again.
Because military procurement programs have long been conducted behind closed doors and without outside supervision, kickbacks and illegal deals were far too easy to arrange. Nothing was allowed to interrupt such corruption, even if it meant murder. Secret funds, especially those for national security agencies, are also open invitations for abuse. Because only a handful of people control the NSB's secret funds, the lack of supervision made it easier to embezzle money from them.
A more transparent mechanism for administrative and legislative supervision over all government budgets and spending -- military or civilian -- is needed. There are ways to do provide such supervision without damaging national security. This is the only way to prevent a repeat of such incidents and to truly say goodbye to the dark times.
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