In the wording of their verdict in the corruption trial of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), the three court judges wrote in the style of cranky old Chinese teachers. The tone of the verdict makes them look like tyrannical feudal officials who exercised undivided administrative, legislative and judicial powers in ancient times, rather than judges in a democratic era.
By quoting ancient sayings in the verdict, the judges unintentionally gave themselves and President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) a slap in the face.
The verdict condemns Chen with the Chinese proverb: “As the grass bends before the wind, so do inferiors imitate their superiors” (風行草偃,上行下效). In reality, the saying better describes Ma’s new party-state system and authoritarianism. As for another quoted saying, “To be a leader is to be a master and a teacher” (作之君,作之師), this is also a reflection of Ma’s arrogant attitude to ordinary people in Taiwan.
The late writer Bo Yang (柏楊), who was persecuted by the previous Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) regime, once satirized the police for acting like the public’s master, parent and teacher. Ma’s style is arrogant and anti-democratic. He wants to be both a master and teacher, but he is by no means a caring parent. His patronizing comment to Aborigines that “I see you as people” and his cold and uncaring treatment of typhoon victims are ample evidence of his true character.
Ma’s administration has the characteristics of feudalistic rule, rather than the rule of law. Believing himself to be a kind leader, he decides for himself what benevolent policies are right for the people and what constitutes justice. His self-righteous attitude and arbitrary actions are reflected in the behavior of KMT bureaucrats, who struggle against their opponents in the style of “hating evils as deadly foes” (嫉惡如仇) and “expelling and exterminating every enemy” (趕盡殺絕).
During the old days of authoritarian rule by the KMT, the party used the judiciary as a tool to attack its critics and opposition forces. Former presidents Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) and Chen carried out reforms without availing themselves of this tool. Ma often proclaims the independence of the judiciary, but in his case it means “allowing” judicial officials, who have long been manipulated by the KMT, to refer to his views and implement his will.
As a tool in the hand of political forces, the judiciary makes its decisions not according to evidence or the letter of the law, but according to political demands. In order to put Chen behind bars, the KMT government went so far as to make the unlawful move of replacing the judges in charge of the case. The party’s proxy, Presiding Judge Tsai Shou-hsun (蔡守訓), who anachronistically relied on centuries-old precedents to absolve Ma of accusations of corruption, applied entirely different standards in Chen’s case, listening only to the “proof” presented by the prosecution and quoting irrelevant ancient morals and philosophy in imposing a heavy sentence on the former president.
Neo-authoritarianism is based on Confucian ethics, so it is not surprising that Tsai should quote Confucius (孔子) in the verdict. Ma is determined to repress his opponents, and Tsai complied by imposing a severe sentence on Chen and quoting Confucian philosophy as grounds for the court’s decision. Ma takes pride in being the people’s master and teacher. He does not need to interfere in the judiciary, because bureaucrats and political hacks alike can figure out what he wants and act accordingly. Ma must be very pleased with their performance.
By scolding Chen with criticisms that are more applicable to Ma, Tsai has revealed for all to see the feudal and autocratic face of Ma’s authoritarian rule.
James Wang is a media commentator.
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG AND JULIAN CLEGG
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
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
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
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