Can people be punished for doing their job?
Apparently so -- at least here in Taiwan -- where concepts of professional credibility have been distorted by political wrangling.
Pan-blue legislators on Tuesday heckled the military police (MP) over an incident involving a female protester who disturbed the flag-raising ceremony on New Year's Day in front of the Presidential Office by shouting "Chen Shui-bian, step down!"
MPs attempted to gag her with towels as she was forcefully removed from the Presidential Plaza, where President Chen Shui-bian (
Granted, the action of gagging someone with a towel needs to be re-evaluated, but aren't pan-blue legislators overreacting just as much by slamming the MPs who were simply doing their job -- which was to secure the perimeter around the president?
The pan-blue camp's fierce reaction prompted Minister of National Defense Lee Jye (
The pan-blue camp argued that the woman hadn't commited a crime and that the MPs had violated her freedom of speech.
What the pan-blue legislators failed to take into consideration, however, was that with freedom comes the responsibility to respect others.
The female protester, identified as Hsu Hsi-erh (
It is apparent that Hsu's actions on Monday weren't a mere protest but were aimed at embarrassing the president. Freedom of expression does not mean that an individual is free to do or say anything without having to face consequences.
As stipulated by the National Security Bureau, which is in charge of ensuring the personal security of the president, the primary responsibility of the MPs stationed in front of the Presidential Office was to protect the president.
When people make a scene during a flag-raising ceremony that could potentially pose a threat to the president, it is not unreasonable to expect that MPs will do more than just stand by and do nothing.
When Wang Wenyi (
What MPs did on Monday was also what is expected of security officials. They were only doing their job.
The pan-blue camp's overreaction, together with the minister of national defense's yielding to their pressure, sends the wrong message to duty-bound military officials and could leave MPs scratching their heads over what their responsibilities are.
In view of the disciplinary action meted out following Monday's incident, MPs and national security personnel alike might show some reluctance next time a situation calls for action to protect the president. They might fear punishment because their supervisors don't have the guts to stand up to the hysterics of the pan-blue camp.
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
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
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
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