Efforts to punish Lin for `prostitute' jibe fail at first hurdle

A motion to force outspoken DPP lawmaker Lin Chung-mo (林重謨) to face the Legislative Yuan's Discipline Committee ran aground yesterday after three of his colleagues protested the move.

People First Party (PFP) lawmaker Chin Huei-chu (秦慧珠), who is spearheading the campaign to punish Lin for insulting independent legislator-elect Sisy Chen (陳文茜), vowed to make a second attempt next week.

But Lin, who is still hospitalized for treatment after reportedly falling and losing three teeth, dismissed Chin's gesture as a PFP effort to grasp public attention. He urged PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) to rein in unruly party members.

Meanwhile, DPP lawmaker Chou Po-lun (周伯倫), who said he supports punishing Lin, accused Chen of having affairs with two former DPP chairmen.

"Lin should be punished in line with the conduct codes to prevent colleagues from repeating his mistake and insulting others on the floor," Chin said. "His offensive remarks about Chen have enraged the public and sullied the legislature's image."

On Tuesday, Lin launched a tirade against Chen, calling her an unscrupulous woman who has unfairly criticized President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and first lady Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍) on her talk shows.

"[Lin's] diatribe against Sisy Chen was loaded with vulgar language, including the words `whore,' `shrew' and `slut,'" Chin said. "I suggest turning him over to the Discipline Committee for punishment."

The motion, endorsed by 32 legislators from across party lines, was defeated because three DPP lawmakers voiced their objections and there were not enough legislative members to call a vote.

Chin said she was not surprised at the boycott but insisted she would press for the disciplinary action again on Tuesday.

Lin, speaking from National Taiwan University Hospital, called on his critics to end what he called a circus show.

"It is time the PFP chairman came forward and put an end to the political melodrama staged by [PFP] members," Lin told reporters. He also said he would seek an explanation from Chou,who signed the petition urging he be punished.

Chou said Lin deserved condemnation as he "missed the point" when faulting Sisy Chen.

"It is not right for Lin to attack Sisy Chen with false accusations," Chou said.

"What makes her so formidable is her prowess at seducing married men," he said.

Chou claimed that two former DPP chairmen broke ranks with the party as a result of Chen's persuasion.

"It is the DPP that is the victim in this case," Chou said, referring to senior presidential advisor Hsu Hsin-liang (許信良) and outgoing independent lawmaker Shih Ming-te (施明德).

Hsu, a good friend of Chen's, issued a statement later in the day to deplore what he called a moral deterioration among the DPP's elected officials.