"Some opposition lawmakers oppose the establishment of anti-corruption administration because they may have committed corrupt acts in the past," he said.
"Now we are considering creating an article [of the bill] specifying that the new agency only deals with crimes committed after its establishment."
"This would neutralize the opposition's worries that the newly established agency might become a government instrument for purging its political foes," the official said.
Of course, he said, other law enforcement agencies, such as the bureau, could still investigate past cases. "This would also lessen the resistance from the MJIB."
However, he said, it would not be proper for the government itself to propose the idea. The ministry would seek the cooperation of DPP lawmakers to hold public hearings and propose the insertion of the article, he said.
"We hope the public hearings will be held before Sept. 18, the day the next session starts."
The nearness of the year-end elections, he said, would serve as an advantage to advocates of the anti-corruption administration. "Public opinion will strongly favor the anti-corruption plan," he said.
Hsieh agreed. "The question of whether or not to establish an anti-corruption administration is a more complex issue than whether we should fight corruption -- the public tends to simplify issues."
"Under the circumstances I think few politicians would strongly oppose the proposal," Hsieh said.
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