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Legislators raising funds for ex-wife of Shih Ming-teh

Several Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators yesterday initiated a fund-raising drive for Chen Li-chu (陳麗珠), the first wife of anti-President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) campaign leader Shih Ming-teh (施明德).

The legislators criticized Shih for spending the remainder of the funds raised by his campaign, which they said "totaled tens of millions of dollars," on "self-imprisonment" while ignoring the plight of his ex-wife and their two daughters.

Early last month, Shih announced that he would he would not leave his apartment until the president steps down. His rent is being payed for from funds raised during the anti-Chen Shui-bian campaign last August.

DPP Legislator Lin Kuo-ching (林國慶), who started the drive to collect funds for Chen Li-chu, told the media that they hoped to raise NT$10 million (US$304,645). One of Chen Li-chu's daughters underwent lung transplant surgery two years ago and the family is experiencing financial difficulties.

Lin said that Chen Li-chu had not received any alimony from Shih.

DPP Legislator Tien Chiu-chin (田秋堇), who was also present at the press conference, said that Chen Li-chu, as the wife of a former political prisoner, had also contributed to the fight for democracy.

Shih became a political prisoner after the Kaohsiung Incident, also known as the Formosa Incident -- an anti-government demonstration organized by Formosa Magazine on Dec. 10, 1979.

Originally meant to be a march in commemoration of International Human Rights Day, the event turned into a violent confrontation when members of the crowd unknown to the organizers began attacking police.

They are widely believed to have been sent by opposition to provoke a clash.

Chen Li-chu pleaded Shih's case at the time, but the couple were divorced shortly after Shih was released and have been on bad terms ever since.
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