Many have said Chiu is out of touch with the party, whose members share a similar ideology and a camaraderie generated from years of participating in protest movements. It is not uncommon to see her arguing with colleagues over public policies on TV.
Frank manner
"I wanted to join the DPP long ago but [DPP lawmaker] Hsu Jung-shu (
She did not join the party until 1997.
"But I have been indirectly involved in democratic movements," Chiu said. "Vice President Annette Lu (
Chiu sought unsuccessfully to win a legislative seat representing Taipei City as an independent in 1992 and as a DPP standard-bearer for Pingtung County in 1998. Last December, she made a third attempt and won a seat through proportional representation.
"I decided to enter politics because I think it is more meaningful to make law than to practice it," she said
Chiu plans to focus on biotechnology legislation. To that end, she sits on the Science and Technology Committee.
Though Chiu paints her crisis as having passed, it remains to be seen if she will hold onto her seat before her term expires in January 2005.
Chou Po-lun (
"It will save a lot of time if the Central Review Committee just sacks her based on Article 39," Chou told a news conference Thursday.
Two-term legislator Alice Wang (
"To my knowledge, she had contact with the KMT and the New Party back in 1992," Wang said. "She ran as an independent after failing to win a nomination from either party."
But Chiu said it's not in the party's interest for colleagues to gang up on her.
"I have learned the secret of survival -- growing numb when provoked," she said.
Still, Chiu said she would not hesitate to fight for what she believes is right.
She is considering asking the constitutional court to rule on whether a party can deprive members of elected office.
"If I was afraid of grease, I would not have stepped into the kitchen," she said.
RSS