The Executive Yuan yesterday passed a draft bill on the establishment of the Aboriginal autonomous region, but Aboriginal lawmakers expressed lukewarm opinions over the government initiative.
According to the statute on the establishment of the Aboriginal autonomous region, each the nation's 11 Aboriginal tribes would be able to set up a tribal council of their own to be in charge of the establishment of their own autonomous region.
PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
Different Aboriginal tribes could also jointly set up a single autonomous region and one single tribe could set up more than two or more autonomous regions.
The autonomous region would have its own law, land ownership, political structure, economic system, society and culture.
The central government would be able provide financial assistance to those autonomous regions with financial difficulties.
Should there be any disputes between the regions, the central government and the autonomous region or regions in dispute could ask the Legislative Yuan to mediate.
Autonomous regions having disputes could also turn to the Executive Yuan for intervention.
Praising the draft as an important milestone in the government's respect of a multi-ethnic society, Premier Yu Shyi-kun said that the approval of the draft marks one giant step toward the realization of President Chen Shui-bian's (
On Sept. 10, 1999, Chen signed an agreement with Aboriginal tribes in which he pledged to promote an autonomous region for Aborigines and push for other native rights -- such giving them a say in the use of natural resources, land ownership and the resumption of using the original ethnic names of Aboriginal tribes, rivers and mountains.
Describing the draft as "vague," Aboriginal Legislator May Chin (
"I wouldn't call myself an indigenous person if I supported the draft," she said, adding that she and other independent lawmakers would propose their own version of the bill.
Chin said the Cabinet's approval of the draft was done merely to curry political favor.
"If President Chen really wants to make good on his promise, he should've presented the beef instead of just the menu in which the chef cannot even cook up the order," she said.
Aboriginal Legislator Walis-Pelin (瓦歷斯貝林), convener of the legislature's independent alliance, said that although he recognized the government's efforts to approve such a draft, there is still room for improvement.
"Aborigines should have had the right to self govern themselves long time ago," he said.
"Aborigines might be able to preserve their own cultures, languages and traditions, but the draft fails to specifically regulate such controversial issues as land ownership, resources use," Walis-Pelin said.
He also said that he would not support the Cabinet's version in the legislature.
"In the version of the independent alliance, Aborigines should enjoy a high degree of autonomy and the administrative status of the Aboriginal autonomous region should be on a par with that of the Executive Yuan," he said.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS