Presidential Office Spokesman Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦) said that while it was important to respect an individual’s freedom of speech, a person whose remarks incited ethnic hatred should be condemned.
“Kuo’s words and actions have gone way beyond the boundaries that a civil servant is entitled to,” Wang said. “It was unbelievable.”
However, Wang pointed out that Kuo’s articles were published between 2005 and 2007 when the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was in power.
The controversy over his remarks was due to the “provocation of some politicians,” Wang said.
“No one should instigate ethnic conflicts for political gain,” he said. “Because it is bound to sabotage ethnic harmony and the effort to become a more mature democracy.”
He said President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) had made vigorous efforts to heal the wounds caused by the “228 Incident,” which occurred when the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) was in power, and Ma would never tolerate any civil servant or KMT official saying or doing anything that would rupture the social equanimity.
Responding to criticism that the government had been slow to respond to the controversy, Wang said Kuo’s rights had to be considered and it was “appropriate” that the GIO did not make a decision before the truth was discovered.
A presidential official who asked to remain anonymous said that Kuo had “dug his own grave” and that what Kuo said and did during his short visit to Taipei was “way off base” and had done more harm than good to him and the government.
KMT caucus secretary-general Yang Chiung-ying (楊瓊瓔) supported the GIO’s decision, saying Kuo had caused an ethnic uproar.
“We are thankful to the government’s daring and resolution. Now ethnic harmony can be restored,” Yang told a press conference.
Meanwhile, KMT Legislator Lo Shu-lei (羅淑蕾) called Kuo “ridiculous” and “detestable.”
“He has embroiled all ‘Mainlanders’ in his controversy,” Lo said.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said the government had been hesitant to deal with Ku, whose remarks provoked ethnic confrontation, and it had failed to seriously discipline him the first time.
DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) called the GIO decision “delayed justice,” but said the caucus still wanted Ma and Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) to apologize.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY FLORA WANG, RICH CHANG AND CNA
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