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Editorial: Legislators' fisticuffs a disgrace

There was another fistfight in the Legislative Yuan Thursday, disgracing the nation's highest legislative body. The violence once again became hot news in the international media. Such uncivilized, undemocratic and irrational performances have made Taiwan's democracy regress.

No matter what the provocation, physical fights between lawmakers are unacceptable. In the past, the legitimacy of the legislative body was questionable -- the majority of the lawmakers did not represent the will of the people of Taiwan. This meant that irregular approaches were required to highlight the problem, and although resorting to physical abuse is wrong, it was excusable. Although the Taiwanese people and international media condemned the violence, they could understand the motives behind it.

But times have changed. Thursday's fight was basically an extension of the conflict between the blue and green camps. The blue camp wanted to pressure the judicial agencies regarding the National Security Bureau's secret funds in order to embarrass both President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and former president Lee Tung-hui (李登輝). But some People First Party legislators went too far and their scuffle with Democratic Progressive Party legislators developed into an open fight and a disaster.

The legislature should severely discipline all those involved in the fight. The public should not be left thinking that the legislature's self-discipline is inferior to that of the Taoyuan County Council, which recently suspended two councilors involved in a physical altercation.

As the next presidential election draws near, it's getting more and more difficult to maintain the calm in the legislature because lawmakers from both camps see the Legislative Yuan as the best arena for political competition. Legislative immunity has made the legislature a center for rumor-mongering as lawmakers attack their rivals with ridiculous accusations. The review of the Executive Yuan's budget for the next fiscal year has been delayed, showing that half the functions of the legislative branch have been paralyzed.

The semi-paralysis of the legislature is the greatest source of political turmoil in the nation. That is why the legislature should call a recess after passing the budget and allow lawmakers to concentrate fulltime on campaigning. The next legislative session, which is scheduled to begin in February, should be postponed until after the presidential election. Otherwise campaign pressures will lead to similar political and physical confrontations in the legislature. Nothing will be accomplished, and that would be a further insult to the public.

The people are dissatisfied with the legislature. Although the government is planning reforms, including smaller electoral districts, a single-ballot system and halving the number of seats, these measures keep being postponed because of the maneuvering of vested interests. The implementation of such reforms will be more or less impossible if we have to rely on the legislature itself to pass these measures. Another way must be found to break through this deadlock. The recent physical confrontations highlight both the deficiencies in many legislators and the need for legislative reform as soon as possible.

The government wants to hold a referendum concurrent with the presidential election in March. The question of overhauling the legislature should be included in that referendum. Since our representatives are incapable of resolving the reform issue themselves, giving the people a chance to directly voice their opinions would provide a huge boost to the reform movement.

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