In an attempt to remind the public of his strong determination to tackle "black gold" politics in Taiwan, President Chen Shui-bian (
It is generally recognized that Chen's victory in the last presidential election was largely due to voters who disliked the KMT's long-time rule and their trust in Chen's ability to eradicate "black gold."
During his campaign, Chen was the first among the three leading presidential candidates to raise the issue of rooting out black gold politics. In his "anti-black gold" platform, he proposed that the president appoint a special prosecutor to investigate vote-buying during all elections. He also emphasized the importance of establishing a special task force to search and collect evidence against criminal organizations and politicians with criminal ties. Moreover, he suggested amending current laws to prevent convicted criminals from running for elections for 10 years after the end of their sentences. Chen also urged the setting up of an independent financial examination committee to supervise financial institutions to prevent corruption between government officials and conglomerates.
Looking back on how successful Chen has been in implemented his campaign promises, we can see how tough the war against black gold is. It may take a few more initiatives to solve the problem that has been embedded in Taiwan's political system for decades. Nevertheless, preliminary efforts conducted by the Ministry of Justice have displayed the government's intention to wipe out "black gold."
Under the leadership of Minister of Justice Chen Ding-nan (陳定南), the judiciary has initiated a series of campaigns to investigate election fraud. Furthermore, the Legislative Yuan has also passed a bill restricting convicted criminals from running in elections within 10 years after the completion of their sentences. Minister Chen has pledged on several occasions that the government will try its best to prevent vote-buying in the coming elections. The government's efforts deserve applause, but there are still several problem areas.
First, to limit economic competition, certain grassroots economic organizations are granted limited monopolies. These organizations include local banks, credit cooperatives (
Second, the KMT grants special loans through provincial banks that favor people from local factions who are elected as members of the provincial assembly and local and city councils. The outcome of this policy is the accumulation of non-performing loans, creating the potential for a financial crisis.
Third, the KMT lets local factions profit from real estate and stock market speculation through their right to make adjustments to zoning on black gold politics.
To eradicate black gold politics, tremendous effort must be made between the ruling and the opposition parties to transform the relationship between the government, the market and civil society. Only when we establish an independent bureaucratic structure and judiciary, a free market and a fair political environment, an autonomous sense of community and a healthy civil society, can a real democracy be brought into Taiwan.
Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.
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