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Ker says president should grant amnesty on May 20

"Although it is the president's constitutional authority to grant amnesty, the amnesty must be granted at the right time."

Hung Chi-chang, Democratic Progressive Party legislator

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) suggested yesterday that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) consider granting amnesty to certain prisoners on May 20.

DPP Legislator Wang Shu-hui (王淑慧) told the press that the caucus was optimistic about the feasibility of the suggestion.

However, she said certain criteria should decide who could receive amnesty. Only those who had committed minor crimes, were sentenced to short jail terms, expressed regret for their acts and behaved well in jail should be considered for the amnesty, she said.

Those who commited criminal acts that endangered public security should be excluded, she said.

Wang was asked for comments after Ker said late on Tuesday night that the president should consider granting amnesty on May 20 this year -- the seventh anniversary of Chen's inauguration -- to inmates who had committed minor crimes.

Ker said many caucus members and grassroots supporters of the party hoped Chen would consider an amnesty and begin preparations.

He said an amnesty was worth considering because the nation's prisons were too crowded, but he added that he had not discussed the suggestion with the Presidential Office.

Although Ker and Wang supported the idea of granting amnesty to certain prisoners, two DPP lawmakers expressed skepticism.

When approached for comment yesterday, DPP Legislator Lee Chun-yi (李俊毅) said granting amnesty on May 20 had not been discussed in detail by the caucus and there was no consensus within the party.

Given a recent spate of crimes, granting some prisoners amnesty could upset the public, he said.

"Although it is the president's constitutional authority to grant amnesty, the amnesty must be granted at the right time," DPP Legislator Hung Chi-chang (洪其昌) said.
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