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DPP legislator likes wearing his heart on his sleeve

Background * Date of birth: Jan.1, 1960 * Birthplace: Taipei * Education: A masters degree from the Institute of Applied Chemistry of the Chinese Culture University * Career: inaugurator of Voice of Taipei radio station, president of the "Independence Evening Post," Taipei City councilor, legislator * Major impact: Closing the "Independence Evening Post." Noted for his sharp surveillance of Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) while serving as a city councilor. Protesting KMT Chairman Lien Chan's trip to China at the CKS International Airport on April 26 * Interests and hobbies: Playing the violin

Although it doesn't fit his quarrelsome public image, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Wang Shih-chien's (王世堅) favorite pastime is playing the violin.

In fact, Wang initially planned to protest against Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) by playing his violin when Lien returned from China on Tuesday.

Wang, who was blamed as one of the troublemakers who caused bloody clashes at CKS International Airport when Lien departed for China on April 26, had planned to play a requiem for Lien and his entourage instead of launching protests on Tuesday.

However, in order to avoid a repeat of the turmoil on April 26, the police deployed over 3,000 officers at the airport and on the highway. Wang was stopped on the Nankan Interchange long before reaching the airport and was not able to carry out his musical mission.

In contrast with other DPP lawmakers who followed the party leadership's order that DPP members take a low-key attitude toward Lien and Soong's trips to China, Wang ignored that directive and launched protests.

"I know some TV reporters try to stigmatize him [Wang Shih-chien] as a boor and a villain ... Actually, he is one of the most sincere persons I've ever met."

Hsu Kuo-yung, DPP legislator

A DPP legislator who did not wish to be identified said bluntly that Wang's behavior at the CKS International Airport sabotaged the DPP's hard-won image of stability and reminded the public of the party's old image of being prone to violence.

DPP Legislator Cheng Yun-peng (鄭運鵬) has criticized Wang as a "showboater" who loves to be on camera all the time.

In the face of such criticism, Wang said he viewed his protests as a political mission, and not a means to garner publicity for himself.

"I can't accept that the KMT, who ruled Taiwan with high-handed repression, brainwashed Taiwanese to oppose the Communist Party [CCP] for the last 50 years, but today tell us that they can cooperate with the CCP to stop Taiwan's independence," Wang said.

"This is the reason why I insisted on going to the airport to protest against Lien," he said.

Wang, who was brought up in a well-to-do family, said that he could never forgive the KMT government for murdering his grandfather during the 228 Incident, in which Chiang Kai-shek's (蔣介石) troops massacred Taiwanese who were rebelling against KMT rule in 1947.

Wang's participation in politics stemmed from his family's hatred of the KMT, he said.

In fact, instigating conflict with pan-blue camp supporters on April 26 was not Wang's political debut. When a Taipei City councilor, Wang was noted for his vehement criticism of Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九). The quarrels between Ma and Wang, who was dubbed the most "top-notch" of Ma's critics, provided footage that TV stations loved to broadcast.

In contrast to his normally fiery personality, when facing reporters, Wang always acts humbly and is happy to offer his viewpoint on events. Because of his striking image -- his unkempt looks, greasy hair and sleepy eyes -- political shows love to mimic him. For Wang, who started playing violin when he was nine-years old, the way he plays the instrument has become his most effective campaign image.

DPP Legislator Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇), also a former Taipei City councilor, defended Wang, saying that he is a person with genuine affection and that at the airport he merely voiced a large number of DPP supporters' emotions and opinions.

"I know some TV reporters try to stigmatize him as a boor and a villain," Hsu said. "Actually, he is one of the most sincere persons I've ever met."
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