Political observers in Taiwan and abroad have identified several peculiar aspects of Taiwan's political culture since the rise of democracy in here. Among such peculiarities, one thing that stands out is the ability of certain politicians to remain popular despite having utterly lost their credibility with the media and much of the population.
Among such figures, Lin Ruey-tu (
"It's sad that Taiwan has such irresponsible politicians," said Lo Wen-chia (
FILE PHOTO
"I don't even want to say his name," responded one lawmaker, when asked to comment on Lin's behavior. "This man has neither integrity nor dignity."
Such responses are typical of people who feel Lin -- a self-proclaimed "scandal buster" -- doesn't take responsibility for his own words. The harsh response is typical of Chen supporters, who have been the primary target of Lin's assaults since 1997.
When Chen was running for Taipei mayor in 1994, Lin -- then a DPP member -- helped the campaign by providing information on corrupt aspects of the city's MRT system, which was being launched by Mayor Huang Ta-chou (黃大洲).
Their relations changed in 1997, however, when Lin requested Chen report to the city council over a decision which he said could create the impression that Chen was helping a private business group in a bid to operate public bus services. Chen claimed the decision was not inappropriate and rejected Lin's request.
Upset with the response, Lin initiated a motion in the council to file charges against the mayor and other city officials.
The motion angered both Chen and the DPP, so that despite promises to withdraw the motion, Lin ended up being expelled from the party.
During the 1998 Taipei mayoral election, Lin was considered a key factor in Chen losing his reelection bid after he accused the mayor of making illicit visits to Macau. Lin even vowed to "stab himself" if his accusations proved false. However, he has yet to provide any concrete evidence to support his accusations or to kill himself as he promised.
Lin was reelected to the legislature the same year, riding on his notoriety.
The tightly-contested presidential race has also proved to be "showtime" for Lin, who has claimed he was "elected by voters to disclose the dirty dealings of public figures, politicians in particular."
In early January, Lin fired the first shot of his "scandal-busting," targeting vice president and KMT presidential candidate Lien Chan (
The attacks lasted for just two days.
Lin next claimed that the son of independent presidential candidate James Soong (宋楚瑜) was in possession of five luxurious pieces of real estate in the US, an accusation which greatly damaged Soong's standing in the campaign.
But neither claim compares to Lin's attacks against Chen over the past two weeks. Lin first accused Chen of under-the-table dealings with a Malaysian business group trying to set up a lottery in Taipei when he was mayor. Lin claims to have documents signed by Chen concerning the dealings.
However, he has refused to publicly reveal his evidence.
Filing a charge of corruption against Chen last week, Lin said he would "not have to take any responsibility" if the charge proved to be false.
"I'm just doing my job of disclosure. I'm not an involved party, so what responsibility should I have to take?" Lin said.
A study of Lin's record shows a pattern of creating a sensation by making explosive accusations and then going silent as the storm created by his words rages on.
SLOW-MOVING STORM: The typhoon has started moving north, but at a very slow pace, adding uncertainty to the extent of its impact on the nation Work and classes have been canceled across the nation today because of Typhoon Krathon, with residents in the south advised to brace for winds that could reach force 17 on the Beaufort scale as the Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecast that the storm would make landfall there. Force 17 wind with speeds of 56.1 to 61.2 meters per second, the highest number on the Beaufort scale, rarely occur and could cause serious damage. Krathon could be the second typhoon to land in southwestern Taiwan, following typhoon Elsie in 1996, CWA records showed. As of 8pm yesterday, the typhoon’s center was 180km
TYPHOON DAY: Taitung, Pingtung, Tainan, Chiayi, Hualien and Kaohsiung canceled work and classes today. The storm is to start moving north this afternoon The outer rim of Typhoon Krathon made landfall in Taitung County and the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島) at about noon yesterday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said, adding that the eye of the storm was expected to hit land tomorrow. The CWA at 2:30pm yesterday issued a land alert for Krathon after issuing a sea alert on Sunday. It also expanded the scope of the sea alert to include waters north of Taiwan Strait, in addition to its south, from the Bashi Channel to the Pratas Islands (Dongsha Islands, 東沙群島). As of 6pm yesterday, the typhoon’s center was 160km south of
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RULES BROKEN: The MAC warned Chinese not to say anything that would be harmful to the autonomous status of Taiwan or undermine its sovereignty A Chinese couple accused of disrupting a pro-democracy event in Taipei organized by Hong Kong residents has been deported, the National Immigration Agency said in a statement yesterday afternoon. A Chinese man, surnamed Yao (姚), and his wife were escorted by immigration officials to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, where they boarded a flight to China before noon yesterday, the agency said. The agency said that it had annulled the couple’s entry permits, citing alleged contraventions of the Regulations Governing the Approval of Entry of People of the Mainland Area into the Taiwan Area (大陸地區人民進入台灣地區許可辦法). The couple applied to visit a family member in
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