The former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration was often criticized for “running the country by slogans.” However, given the outcome of a national security meeting convened by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Monday, it appears the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government has raised the bar by not only running the country by slogans, but also “caring for victims by slogans.”
Ten days after the Color Play Asia fire at the Formosa Fun Coast (八仙海岸) water park in New Taipei City’s Bali District (八里), Ma finally realized the seriousness of the victims’ situation and called a national security meeting.
The evening meeting concluded with Ma issuing a four-principle directive: Save lives at any cost; establish a plan to guarantee long-term and one-on-one follow-up treatment for victims; integrate the efforts of central and local governments; and assess who is ultimately responsible for the accident.
While Ma may think exercising his presidential power to hold an emergency response meeting is satisfactory, that is not how it looks to the public.
The truth is, the emptiness of Ma’s words do not instill public confidence in the government’s efficiency and crisis management, but rather fortify the public’s impression of his administration’s incompetence and inaction.
If Ma only knew how much he has failed the expectations of burn victims, their families and the general public.
The first question on everyone’s mind is why did Ma wait so long to convene the meeting? His delay exposed Ma’s indecision, poor time management and lack of empathy.
Ma concluded the meeting by pledging that his administration would offer the victims complete care services that constitute “long-term and one-on-one follow-up treatment” and that the government would try to save each victim’s life “without regard for cost.”
How exactly will the government carry out the “long-term and one-on-one follow-up treatment?” Is it going to subsidize the victims’ medical bills without a set ceiling? Ma did not give any concrete details; he only vented hot air.
How is Ma going to convince the public that his administration will quickly and effectively incorporate resources to care for the victims when the Ministry of Health and Welfare declined several offers of assistance from foreign medical personnel because they do not have a Taiwanese medical license?
Many think Ma had more on his mind when he called the national security meeting, ostensibly to address issues relating to the care of burn victims. Otherwise, why did he choose to use the phrase “long-term and one-on-one follow-up treatment” in concluding the meeting — the same phrase touted by the KMT’s presumptive presidential nominee, Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱).
Three people have died from the injuries they sustained in the fire, with more than 200 victims still in critical condition.
As the hundreds of victims struggle to recover, the government’s incompetence comes across as even more repulsive.
Ma’s weak leadership and his administration’s tardy response have wiped out any lingering respect for his government.
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