Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Days earlier, Minister of the Interior Yu Cheng-hsien (
The private clubs of local enterprises are, by definition, places for receiving people from business or political circles and it's not really a big deal for a politicians to visit such clubs. Nevertheless, after the Zanadau development scandal was uncovered, we found that many businesspeople and politicians had received extravagant treatment at China Development Industrial Bank's private club while discussing investments -- many of which later proved to be criminal.
Society is then aware that illegal activities may be planned at such high-profile private clubs. This has made politicians' visits to such clubs particularly sensitive, attracting massive public attention.
The fact that Yu was investigated by the Department of Government Ethics for letting a friend treat him to that massage has shown that people are becoming more critical of those politicians and businessmen who blur the lines between socializing and meeting on official government business. It was correct of the premier to rebuke Yu for accepting a massage from a sighted person -- a misstep that violated the Protection Law for the Handicapped and Disabled, which says that only blind people may work as masseurs or masseuses.
Although nothing illegal has yet been found about Ma's visits to Fubon's private club. But while it may not be illegal for the mayor to accept lavish meals at the club, it certainly runs counter to the principle of avoiding apparent conflicts of interest.
Ma has been caught in a mire of conflict because he didn't understand that he should avoid places that may lead to suspicion. Furthermore, Ma has been caught in an untruth: First he said that he had visited the Fubon club only twice, while city councilors claimed he had been there on seven occasions. Ma later admitted to five such visits. Such changes to his story affect the public's trust in Ma.
The nation's "sunshine legislation" is not yet complete. Since there are currently no regulations governing lobbying and public relations activities, people's views of such activities are often colored. Highly private gatherings and venues are understandably seen as perfect places for illegal exchanges of benefits. It is difficult for government officials to avoid official as well as private social activities but in this area they should show self-restraint. In addition, the draft lobbying law should be enacted as soon as possible to allow enterprises or vested interests to engage in public and transparent lobbying activities, rather than having to resort to covert, secret activities.
Many public interests are sacrificed in backroom deals between politicians and enterprises. To avoid having politicians favor enterprises in exchange for political donations, action should also be taken on the draft political-donations law, currently stuck in the legislature. That way, the flow of political donations between enterprises and politicians can be laid open for public supervision and review.
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