During the case of alleged illegal logging uncovered in Taipei, it was said that illegally felled cypress trees had been transported from a Neihu District (內湖) environmental protection zone on a road constructed using city funds. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) initially called for the district police head to be removed from his post, only to make a swift U-turn 10 hours later.
Taipei residents derive immense pleasure from Ko blowing his top. This is because from President Ma Ying-jeou’s time as Taipei mayor up to the end of his successor Hau Lung-bin’s (郝龍斌), a growing feeling of resentment has been building among Taipei residents, and they enjoy any opportunity to vent their anger vicariously through Ko. Nevertheless, they will one day tire of being angry and Ko must therefore show that he can do more than simply vent his spleen.
Many politicians are imitating Ko’s style by re-examining major infrastructure projects, such as Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung’s (林佳龍) investigation of the Bus Rapid Transit and Taiwan Tower projects, and Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan’s (鄭文燦) probe into the Taoyuan Aerotropolis. Their resolute and decisive actions have also given the public an opportunity to let off steam.
These two young pan-green mayors, Lin and Cheng, are both of sound moral character, possess a great deal of political experience and have the ability to surpass Ko, rather than simply imitating him by re-examining a few project irregularities left by their predecessors.
Ko’s blunt and peremptory management style and his determination to reveal corrupt practices pleases the public. However, the “Ko model” has already begun to look tired. Aside from studying Ko’s methods, politicians must also ensure they produce substantive results lest the public view their actions as mere showing off. Ko should heed the advice of Mencius and channel his anger into positive energy for improving the lives of ordinary Taipei residents, instead of a spontaneous eruption followed by an apology.
Ko is rather short on ideas and often unconsciously adopts a conservative point of view. His advocacy of the Taipei-Yilan railway project — planned to run through the Feitsui Reservoir’s catchment area — demonstrated his lack of awareness of environmental issues.
The most important thing for pan-green leaders is to differentiate themselves from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). A simple principle is to always pursue ideals and be progressive. The KMT and big business are joined at the hip, and the pan-green camp must sever its connections with the financial conglomerates — only then will it be able to act in the best interests of Taiwanese.
Cheng caused much anxiety when he appeared to go back on his pre-election promise to protect a historically significant area, which included ancient buildings and trees, in Taoyuan County’s Nankan Township (南崁). Once in office, he labeled the case “extremely complicated,” causing dismay among local residents. However, Cheng recently announced a preservation plan which is mutually beneficial to both parties and everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Not one local DPP city councilor supported the preservation of the historic buildings and trees, which begs the question: What is the difference between a DPP government and a KMT government?
There was a good reason for the residents of Taoyuan and Taichung to drive the KMT out of office. A mayor must keep abreast of public opinion and always stand on the side of progress — that is the only way to bring substance to the “Ko model.”
Allen Houng is a professor at National Yang-Ming University’s Institute of Philosophy of Mind and Cognition.
Translated by Edward Jones
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