Print

Mail

wiki links

Cooperation by the KMT better than obstruction

Last week, hot on the heels of the New Year celebrations, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) suggested reconciliation with the pan-green camp, adding that although the KMT and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are far apart, they are not as far apart as the KMT is from the Chinese Communist Party.

Ma's comments are good news for Taiwan, where the opposing political camps have brought the country's politics to a standstill.

Similar sentiments were expressed by former premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) during his time in office and Ma when he had just taken over as KMT chairman, but their appeals failed to translate into concrete action. It will be extremely difficult for Ma to implement his proposition, but he deserves a chance as it is the welfare of Taiwanese that really matters.

Though the KMT has often been criticized for suppressing dissent, it and its chairman no longer stand for the authoritarianism of old. In fact, the party has been allowed to split into various factions. KMT legislators make forceful statements and in some cases even demonstrate more decisiveness than their chairman.

These legislators have been labeled hawkish by the media. Their actions often run counter to Ma's statements. To name a few examples, KMT legislators have blocked the arms procurement budget close to 70 times. They have attempted to impede the president's right to nominate members of the Control Yuan and forced through the creation of the 319 Shooting Truth Investigation Commission and the National Communications Commission, based on an unconstitutional principle of proportional representation.

These measures clearly undermine national security and the fundamental democratic concept of the division of power. That is why many believe the KMT has been hijacked by the party's hawkish faction.

Oftentimes, the legislature will spend a whole day treading water because one or two of the KMT's more hawkish legislators remain obdurate in their views. On some occasions, thanks to their antics and conduct unbecoming, they have managed to turn the process into a zoo.

Most legislators have high expectations of themselves, for those who choose a career in politics do so with the intent to serve the public, improve the quality of life of the nation's citizens and ameliorate the functioning of democratic institutions. As a responsible opposition party, the KMT should initiate cooperation with the DPP rather than use controversial bills as a means to block non-controversial ones.

It does not really matter that the KMT refuses to accept the concept of transitional justice proposed by the DPP. But it should at least seek to reach a consensus with the DPP on the development of a just society by strengthening, for example, the social security system, improving gender equality and building a pluralistic society.

Ma's decision to revise the KMT position could indicate an intent to make the KMT a responsible opposition party in preparation for the presidential election.

If the two parties truly desire cooperation, they should start in the legislature. The top priority should be to stop the use of controversial issues to interfere with routine ones and persuade hawkish KMT legislators to stop their obstructionism.

Inherent to a democratic system is competition and opposition between political parties. But by no means does this mean that debate should have a negative impact on the nation's future.

As we all hope for a prosperous Taiwan, we can hope that this attempt at reconciliation will be an true and successful one.

Chen Chi-yu is a Democratic Progressive Party legislator.

Translated by Daniel Cheng
This story has been viewed 1516 times.