The right time to celebrate
We all saw the reaction of certain Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers to former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) being handcuffed: They wanted to celebrate with firecrackers.
It so happens that presidential candidates and politicians have opponents with whom they must debate. It so happens that presidents do not gain the support of everyone in the country. Political opponents do not have to love each other — but they can show respect.
Most importantly, lawmakers produce and guard laws, and they should never forget the principle of ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat — the burden of proof rests on he who asserts, not on he who denies.
The reaction of KMT lawmakers, mocking the former president, and their statements celebrating his arrest are shameless and should be condemned by the Harvard-educated president, the leaders of the party and the media. It is yet another below-standard performance made in Taiwan.
The time to celebrate will come when the KMT and President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) deliver all the promises they made during the election campaign. Then we, the people, will let off firecrackers instead of venting disappointment.
Hanna Shen
Taipei
Cuffing potential
The arrest and detention of former president Chen Shui-bian is a joke.
First, in any civilized country, fraud or corruption is a white-collar crime. Was there a need to handcuff Chen, who was head of state just six months ago and who has not been convicted of any crime?
It is ludicrous that the prosecutors’ request to remand Chen in custody was based on their assumption that the former president might tamper with evidence in the bribery case against him. If Chen were guilty, he would have tampered with evidence weeks ago.
Chen is not perfect, but Taiwanese should ask themselves whether it is Chen or Ma who would have been able and willing to stand up and protect Taiwan’s interests at all costs.
The answer is clear: It was Chen.
Jason Lee Boon Hong
Singapore
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