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Chen marks six years by apologizing for scandals

President Chen Shui-bian picks up garbage on a beach during a clean up activity yesterday in Shihmen, Taipei County. PHOTO: AP

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday apologized to the public on behalf of the first family which has recently been plagued by several scandals. He also said he welcomed public criticism if any member of his family was found to be involved in any wrongdoing.

Responding to the recent deluge of criticisms against his family, Chen made three statements yesterday morning after cleaning up Paishawan (白沙灣), a beach in Taipei County's Shihmen (石門) Township, to mark the sixth anniversary of his presidency.

Chen said he was sorry for the recent concerns his family has caused and would like to offer his most sincere apology to the public, party members and his supporters. He said he would undergo more self-examination and humbly accept the criticisms.

"Thank you very much [and] I'm sorry," he said.

Chen also said that everyone should be treated equally before the law and that no one in his family should enjoy any privilege or be an exception if any of them were found to have been involved in any illegal activity. He or she must undergo investigation and receive the most severe punishment if found guilty.

Finally, Chen called on his family members to adopt the highest moral standards in everything they do during the last two years of his presidency. He also forbade all members from getting involved in any public affairs or using their special status to obtain personal gains or request special treatment.

"I will urge all members of my family to be prudent in their words and actions and welcome public scrutiny," he said.

"If any member of my family does anything wrong or anybody uses the name of the first family as an excuse to do anything illegal, I would very much appreciate it if it could be brought to the attention of authorities and it will be stringently dealt with in accordance with the law," he said.

The allegations against Chen's family and his aides have delivered a significant blow to Chen's popularity.

An opinion poll recently conducted by the administration's political ally, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, placed Chen's approval rating at a record low of just 5.8 percent.

Likening the first family's self-examination to the beach clean-up, Chen said: "We will never discover the trash hidden in the dark corners if we don't lower our head, stoop over or even kneel down."

"We may think we have cleaned up the beach today, but there may be more trash there tomorrow," the president added.

Chen spent yesterday morning cleaning up Paishawan with some 60 volunteers from Taipei City's Yongleh Rotary Club.

It is the sixth year that Chen had volunteered on "Taiwan Volunteer's Day." Chen designated May 20, the date of his inauguration, as "Taiwan Volunteer's Day" in 2000 to encourage volunteer work nationwide.

Also see Editorial:
Editorial: President Chen, know thyself

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