The public will do all it can to rescue people and keep hope alive.
As a Taiwanese, I have never felt so proud and so touched. We have a brilliant people — brave, generous, independent and full of sympathy.
But we also have a dysfunctional government — weak and disorganized. It turned a natural disaster into a man-made tragedy.
Ma’s government should bear full responsibility for the unnecessary death and damage caused by its delay in relief and rescue work. Incapable officials should be held responsible. The Cabinet may soon be dismissed or shuffled.
Aid from the US, Britain, the EU, Germany, Japan, Singapore and other countries — in total 59 so far — is greatly appreciated. The public is grateful to see sorely needed US CH-53E helicopters, which can lift heavy equipment, finally arriving in Taiwan to assist in relief operations. This humanitarian support was a beautiful gesture.
After this disaster, the last word the mourning Taiwanese want to hear is “government.” Hopefully, the roar of their anger will be heard and relief and reconstruction will come to the south as soon as possible.
Huang Yu-wen is a commentator based in Taipei.
RSS