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Chen adviser hospitalized after beating

National Policy Adviser Liu Hsia \320 founder of the Eden Social Welfare Foundation was rushed to Taipei's Tri-Service General Hospital yesterday morning after sustaining injuries following an attack allegedly given by her Indonesian caregiver. PHOTO: HAKU HUANG, TAIPEI TIMES

A handicapped presidential adviser was rushed to hospital yesterday after she was allegedly beaten by her Indonesian caregiver early that morning.

Liu Hsia (劉俠), a social activist and a national policy adviser to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), broke her leg and had a concussion, according to doctors from the Tri-Service General Hospital.

Liu was under observation at the Tri-Service General Hospital's Neihu branch yesterday

The president paid a visit to his adviser last night and asked doctors at the hospital to look after Liu.

The Indonesian caregiver, Vina, who has worked for Liu for about seven months, was arrested by Hsintien police yesterday morning. According to police, Vina has denied beating Liu.

She also told police that she was reacting to a dream about an earthquake.

Liu's family has decided to dismiss the caregiver, but has not yet made a decision on whether to file a lawsuit against her.

Liu suffers from a rare disease called atrophic arthritis, which is related to rheumatoid arthritis. The malady has destroyed the function of almost 90 percent of her joints. She is forced to lie down most of the time and to use a wheelchair to get around.

According a statement by the Eden Social Welfare Foundation, which Liu founded in 1980, Liu's mother heard Liu Hsia scream from her bedroom at 3am as Vina was beating Liu.

Liu's mother sought help from her neighbors and brought Liu to the emergency room at 5am.

According to the statement, Liu's mother indicated that Vina's actions might have stemmed from emotional problems.

Liu's younger brother Liu Kan (劉侃), told reporters yesterday at a joint press conference with doctors of the Tri-Service General Hospital that he didn't find anything strange about Vina's behavior or performance in the past eight months.

"But, it would be a difficult decision whether to hire a foreign caregiver again," he said.

Weng Yu-ling (翁玉玲), an official from the foundation, said that Liu and her mother had been satisfied with Vina's services, but the incident surprised them.

The Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) started to investigate the case yesterday and said that Liu is entitled to terminate the labor contract at any time.

Also, if Vina is found guilty of a crime, she would be sent back to Indonesia immediately.

Liu was appointed as a policy adviser three years ago. She agreed to stay on at the position last May after the Presidential Office promised to improve welfare for the physically challenged.

Liu had earlier rejected the renewal of her appointment by saying the position doesn't allow her to make a contribution.

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