■Immigration
Lawmakers look to limit vote
DPP lawmakers yesterday urged the government to deny immigrants from China the right to vote until years after they have acquired ROC citizenship. DPP legislators Tang Huo-shen (湯火聖), Chien Chao-tong (簡肇棟) and Su Chih-fen (蘇治芬) said citizens from across the Strait should be denied the right to vote until they have been citizens for seven years. They suggested attaching the measure to the rules governing cross-strait exchanges that are in the process of being overhauled by the legislature. Tang argued that Beijing's constant attempts to annex Taiwan and continued propaganda to achieve that aim warrant the delay. "Over 570,000 Chinese immigrants, long exposed to Beijing's communist propaganda, need more time to assimilate to Taiwanese society," he said. Su echoed the view, saying the delay would ease worries over national security arising from the rapid influx of Chinese immigrants.
■ Zanadau scandal
Su's release to be appealed
Kaohsiung Chief Prosecutor Lin Ching-tsung (林慶宗) yesterday said that he will appeal the Kaohsiung District Court's ruling to release Zanadau suspect Su Hui-chen (蘇惠珍) on Christmas Eve. The appeal will go to the Taiwan High Court's Kaohsiung Branch. Prosecutors requested the detention, saying Su played a major role in the alleged scandal and they needed her to clarify questions. Prosecutors are able to appeal within 20 days after receiving an official copy of the court order. Lin did not elaborate on when he would appeal. Su, the majority shareholder of Zanadau Development Corp, was summoned by prosecutors on Monday for interrogation. After being questioned for more than 24 hours, Kaohsiung prosecutors decided to file a request to the court to detain Su on charges of breach of trust. However, the court decided to release Su without charges.
■ Pornography
CPC to investigate charges
Chinese Petroleum Corp (CPC) chairman Kuo Chin-tsai (郭進財) yesterday morning promised to immediately look into allegations by PFP Legislator Ke Shu-min (柯淑敏) that a number of the company's gas stations were selling pornographic VCDs, Chinese-language media reported yesterday. According to the lawmaker, several CPC stations in central Taiwan sell pornographic VCDs at low prices in order to attract customers. Those who refuel at these stations can pay NT$49 (US$1.40) for a VCD. "No wonder my son always goes to CPC stations these days," she complained, demanding that the CPC look into the problem.
■ Justice
Suspect lives it up
Stock market player Huang Jen-chung (黃任中), who was detained for owing NT$1.4 billion to the National Tax Administration, appeared relaxed in court yesterday, eating peanuts and drinking soda prepared by his girlfriends. Huang, son of former Judicial Yuan president Huang Shao-ku (黃少谷), was summoned before the Taipei District Court (台北地方法院) to explain his role in the Taiwan Pineapple case. Huang was indicted along with 19 other people in February 2000 for alleged illegal speculation on the Taiwan Pineapple Group. Huang -- as though sitting in his own living room -- enjoyed snacks, a fast-food breakfast and soda in the courtroom, not forgetting to invite his friends and journalists to share in the feast.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
UNILATERAL MOVES: Officials have raised concerns that Beijing could try to exert economic control over Kinmen in a key development plan next year The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) yesterday said that China has so far failed to provide any information about a new airport expected to open next year that is less than 10km from a Taiwanese airport, raising flight safety concerns. Xiamen Xiangan International Airport is only about 3km at its closest point from the islands in Kinmen County — the scene of on-off fighting during the Cold War — and construction work can be seen and heard clearly from the Taiwan side. In a written statement sent to Reuters, the CAA said that airports close to each other need detailed advanced
WEATHER Typhoon forming: CWA A tropical depression is expected to form into a typhoon as early as today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the storm’s path remains uncertain. Before the weekend, it would move toward the Philippines, the agency said. Some time around Monday next week, it might reach a turning point, either veering north toward waters east of Taiwan or continuing westward across the Philippines, the CWA said. Meanwhile, the eye of Typhoon Kalmaegi was 1,310km south-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, as of 2am yesterday, it said. The storm is forecast to move through central
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