Taiwan Quick Take: Legislator prefers jail time

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Shi-cheng (王世堅) yesterday said he would serve a prison term to highlight the absurdity of a verdict against him. Wang on Friday was sentenced to 50 days in prison -- which he has the option to convert into a fine -- for insulting two Taipei police officers. In May, two police asked a couple of shop owners to remove products displayed outside their stores on sidewalks and roads, but Wang appeared and asked the police to halt their action, claiming they were targeting the shop owners because they had not been paid bribes. In response, the two officers filed a lawsuit accusing Wang of interfering with their public functions. Wang yesterday said that as an elected representative he was supposed to deal with complaints from his supporters and that he had not broken any law. Wang said he would not appeal the ruling.