Returning to Taiwan with documents she claims are proof of embezzlement by the first family, Ligi Lee (
It is unlikely that either President Chen Shui-bian (
However, the procedures governing the use and auditing of these funds are unreasonable. In the past, both the Presidential Office and the city government operated on the understanding that only half of all disbursements from these funds needed to be verified with receipts. In response to the current controversy, the Ministry of Audit has demanded that all disbursements for the state affairs fund be verified with receipts. The Presidential Office has now accused the Ministry of Audit of setting a double standard to create difficulties for the office.
To clarify his role in the scandal, Chen invited Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) and some DPP lawmakers to the Presidential Office to explain that the money was used for confidential diplomatic purposes; but this is only a partial explanation and in any case was only addressed to a select few. It therefore has had little impact on public perceptions.
The Presidential Office needs to clarify to the public the operation of the state affairs fund, show prosecutors that there was no illegality and check to see whether current procedures violate Ministry of Audit practices. Only in this way can the president win back the public's trust. Even if we allow that the money was used for state purposes, the fact that verification is based on large numbers of receipts collected by the first family from associates clearly smacks of fraud, and is totally inappropriate. Therefore, a review of the auditing procedure should be considered.
In Ma's case, he said that all the disbursements from the "special allowance" could be verified, and that the surplus was donated to charitable organizations. Although half the amount of the special allowance does not need to be verified, the fact that the money was placed in a personal savings account -- even if not illegal -- is enough to spark suspicion.
Although nominally the state affairs and special allowance funds are different, they are in essence very similar. The use of such funds is not the concern of Chen and Ma only, but of numerous government officials.
Now that the state affairs fund has become the subject of public debate, the government should establish rules clearly laying down the procedure for disbursements from these funds, giving the use of these funds a clear legal basis. Only then will we avoid having the president involved in an unsightly scramble to collect receipts, purchase gift vouchers and other dodges, and avoid suspicion being directed at Ma for diverting government money to private ends.
Many foreigners, particularly Germans, are struck by the efficiency of Taiwan’s administration in routine matters. Driver’s licenses, household registrations and similar procedures are handled swiftly, often decided on the spot, and occasionally even accompanied by preferential treatment. However, this efficiency does not extend to all areas of government. Any foreigner with long-term residency in Taiwan — just like any Taiwanese — would have encountered the opposite: agencies, most notably the police, refusing to accept complaints and sending applicants away at the counter without consideration. This kind of behavior, although less common in other agencies, still occurs far too often. Two cases
In a summer of intense political maneuvering, Taiwanese, whose democratic vibrancy is a constant rebuke to Beijing’s authoritarianism, delivered a powerful verdict not on China, but on their own political leaders. Two high-profile recall campaigns, driven by the ruling party against its opposition, collapsed in failure. It was a clear signal that after months of bitter confrontation, the Taiwanese public is demanding a shift from perpetual campaign mode to the hard work of governing. For Washington and other world capitals, this is more than a distant political drama. The stability of Taiwan is vital, as it serves as a key player
Yesterday’s recall and referendum votes garnered mixed results for the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). All seven of the KMT lawmakers up for a recall survived the vote, and by a convincing margin of, on average, 35 percent agreeing versus 65 percent disagreeing. However, the referendum sponsored by the KMT and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) on restarting the operation of the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County failed. Despite three times more “yes” votes than “no,” voter turnout fell short of the threshold. The nation needs energy stability, especially with the complex international security situation and significant challenges regarding
Most countries are commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with condemnations of militarism and imperialism, and commemoration of the global catastrophe wrought by the war. On the other hand, China is to hold a military parade. According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, Beijing is conducting the military parade in Tiananmen Square on Sept. 3 to “mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.” However, during World War II, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) had not yet been established. It