Print

Mail

wiki links

Ma plans to take highway protest to the government

"We feel that the central government has not taken the issue seriously ? the purpose of the visit is to highlight the seriousness of the issue, and we hope that they will change their minds."

Ma Ying-jeou, Taipei mayor

To reiterate Taipei City's objection to a decision to open public access to a section of the Taipei-Ilan highway, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said he will lead a delegation of councilors and environmental groups to the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) next week.

Concern about potential damage to water quality in Feitsui Reservoir -- a source of water for both Taipei City and County -- if the section of the highway between Pinglin (坪林) and Shiding (石碇) is opened to the public, has brought the city government and city council together in a rare instance of cooperation.

Pan-green city councilors also voiced support for the city government's position during Ma's special report on the issue on Tuesday.

Ma yesterday reiterated the city government's resolve to defend the rights and interests of the 8 million people in Taipei City and County, saying the group will visit the ministry and the EPA, regardless of whether the heads of the two agencies will receive them or not.

"We feel that the central government has not taken the issue seriously ? the purpose of the visit is to highlight the seriousness of the issue, and we hope that they will change their minds," Ma told reporters yesterday after attending a forum at the city government.

Ma made the decision to invite city councilors and environmental groups to take part in the visit yesterday during a morning meeting with staff.

Ma said that if the ministry and the EPA fail to offer a positive response to the city government, it may visit Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷).

While determined to voice strong opposition to the government's decision on the highway, Ma said the visit will be "a courtesy call within the administrative system," and not a "protest."

During Ma's special report on the issue on Tuesday, city councilors blamed the central government for ignoring advice from environmentalists.

"The [ministry] followed unlawful procedures in giving the public access to the section and ignored Taipei citizens' rights and interests concerning drinking water. We call on the central government to respect citizens' voices and withdraw their decision," Democratic Progressive Party Councilor Lee Chian-chang (李建昌) said.

The decision to allow public access to the section has drawn criticism from many environmentalists and the city government.

Both argue that Taipei-Ilan highway will cause pollution and potentially lower the water quality in Feitsui Reservoir, mirroring recent problems experienced by Shihmen Reservoir.
This story has been viewed 1832 times.