Chen amnesty plan sparks controversy

The amnesty plan proposed by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on Tuesday generated a large amount of discussion by legislators yesterday, with the opposition calling it an election ploy while supporters said it would be beneficial to society.

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) yesterday urged legislators to give the president's proposal an unbiased reading.

It would be a "good thing" for the government to let criminals convicted of minor crimes return to society and look after their families, he said.

On Tuesday, Chen announced that he had given instructions to the Cabinet to consider commuting some criminal sentences to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the lifting of martial law in Taiwan and the 60th anniversary of the 228 Incident.

`Political approach'

"I hope that opposition parties will avoid politicizing the matter and that the ruling party will not use it as issue to increase its prospects in the coming elections," Wang said.

He added that it would be possible for the legislature to pass an amnesty statute by May 20.

Despite Wang's conciliatory approach, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Hsu Shao-ping (徐少萍) yesterday criticized Chen's plan as an election strategy.

"I am suspicious of [Chen's] motives in granting reduced sentences to prisoners. The elections are approaching. What A-bian [Chen's nickname] did is all about the upcoming elections," Hsu said while speaking at a press conference.

People First Party Spokesman Lee Hung-chun (李鴻鈞) said that Chen should have asked for opinions from the law enforcement and judicial officials before announcing the plan.

"It's not a thing that can be decided by the president himself," Lee said.

Be cautious

Former KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), a former justice minister who has been indicted on corruption charges, said that the government should be cautious with its plan to grant reduced sentences to prisoners.

KMT Secretary-General Wu Den-yi (吳敦義) added that the party had no reason not to accept the plan, but said that it should not include those who had committed serious crimes.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Wang Tuoh (王拓) defended the president's amnesty proposal and urged the public to look at the issue in a positive light.

Presidential pardons have been granted four times in the past, Wang Tuoh said.

"I believe the president's amnesty proposal of amnesty reflects respect for human rights," he said.

"[Granting the amnesty] to mark the 60th anniversary of the 228 Incident and the 20th anniversary of the end of the martial law is meaningful to the people in the nation ... The public should not interpret it as electioneering," he added.

Although the range of crimes eligible for the amnesty should be fully discussed, he said he hoped the public would not "twist the president's goodwill in granting the amnesty."

Thumbs-up

On her way to attend a DPP Central Standing Committee meeting yesterday, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) gave a thumbs-up to the amnesty proposal.

"It is a good deed and should be applauded because this year is the 20th anniversary of the end of martial law," she said.

DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun told reporters that the amnesty should come with a complete set of regulatory policies to maintain public order.

`Fresh start'

"We hope to offer chances for those who would like to correct their errors and make a fresh start, but we also hope that criminals will not seize the opportunity to commit more crimes," he said.