Embattled independent lawmaker Lo Fu-chu (羅福助) yesterday denied gaining immunity from prosecutors in exchange for his exit from the legislative race in December.
Lo, who decided Thursday not to seek a third term, said that he would press ahead with the campaign to rid the lawmaking body of "wicked rats" -- corrupt colleagues -- before retiring in January.
"There's no need for bargaining, as I have not done anything deserving the label of `a hoodlum,'" he said at the legislature to mark the end of his six-month suspension.
In April, the feisty legislator was banned from the assembly for punching a female colleague, Diane Lee (
Lo's retirement plans sparked much speculation as to the motive, with many suspecting that Lo had cut a deal with law-enforcing agencies whereby if Lo bowed out of the year-end polls, investigators would not vigorously pursue a probe into his alleged criminal activities.
On Monday, prosecutors dealing with Lo's assault charge suggested that the police list the legislator as a hoodlum and tame him under the Anti-Hoodlum Law -- which allows officers extra leeway to go after gangsters.
"If I am tagged as one, then many more people should also be called hoodlums," Lo said.
He expressed no surprise at allegations his phones are bugged, claiming he was still in the dark about why the government jailed him for three years and seven months in the 1980s, as prosecutors later decided not to indict him.
Lo, known for having intimate ties to organized crime, maintained that a desire to avoid being the target of a smear campaign prompted his departure.
"My entry into the legislative elections would only serve to exacerbate the `rats versus cats' battle," he said, referring to an earlier statement he made, calling certain legislators rats that were out of control while he, the cat, was suspended from the legislature.
Five DPP legislative candidates have made it their top priority to defeat Lo and urged voters to help them rid the legislature of "the crooked cat."
Lo also denied that his departure stemmed from slim prospects of being re-elected, saying that even imprisonment cannot prevent a candidate from seeking a legislative seat.
Some have said that Lo's key supporters were being closely watched by investigators, making it difficult for them to engage in illicit electioneering, through which Lo reportedly gained his seat in the legislature.
"I will continue with the war against the rats before my terms expires in three months," Lo said, asking the public to give him a helping hand in the crusade.
Earlier he threatened to expose the dirty secrets of his fellow lawmakers if they insist on reversing the election of his lawmaker son, Lo Ming-tsai (羅明才) of the KMT, as a convener of the Finance Committee.
Others have linked Lo's retreat to cashflow problems. The elder Lo, however, said that while the sagging economy has taken its toll on his finances, he could still loan millions of NT dollars, if necessary.
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