Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Shih-cheng (王世堅) yesterday carried out his promise to jump into the sea, taking the plunge at Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Sanchih Township (三芝), Taipei County.
Wang has been hounded by the media over the last two weeks following the legislative elections after he promised to jump into the sea if all eight of the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) candidates in Taipei City won.
"I am a Taiwanese who sticks to his promises. This is all about me, so I would not encourage my supporters to accompany me in doing this," Wang said.
SUPPORTERS
Wang, accompanied by 280 supporters, arrived at Chienshuiwan yesterday morning.
Along with an aide, he donned a wet suit and rode a jet ski about 100m offshore.
At 12:20pm, he jumped into the water and swam back.
"I am still alive. But jumping into the sea in weather like this was no fun at all," he said.
SECRECY
As Wang had refused to confirm the location of his jump before the event, there were no Coast Guard, police or rescue teams present.
Wang said that he had carried out his promise because he hoped to establish a precedent for other politicians and let them know how important it was for politicians to keep their promises.
"Here I am. I did what I promised," he said after completing the jump.
The Central Weather Bureau said the water temperature at lunchtime in Sanchih yesterday was 16oC.
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