Outspoken TSU Legislator Su Yin-kuei (
"The party needs to take action over Su this time," said TSU Legislator Chien Lin Whei-jun (錢林慧君), the party's legislative whip.
She said the party caucus is considering proposing that Su be disciplined.
PHOTO: TAIPEI TIMES
On Thursday, Su attacked Legislator Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) over remarks Lo made at a TSU central executive committee closed-door meeting earlier in the week.
Speaking as TSU legislative leader, Lo had reported that Su repeatedly violated caucus orders and he urged the party's headquarters to deal with Su as soon as possible.
Su's refusal on the final day of last month's special legislative session to accept the TSU caucus' decision on Real Estate Securitization Statute (
Su wanted the caucus to petition for the statue to be reconsidered because he felt it favored conglomerates and rich people. Even though the caucus refused, he insisted on filing a petition for reconsideration. The petition was rejected because only a party caucus can make such an appeal.
An enraged Su said Thursday that Lo had capitalized on the chance to denounce him.
"I will not accept their criticism that I am unsociable just because I never join them [TSU lawmakers] when they go out drinking or partying at night," Su said.
He went on to accuse Lo of trying to lobby judicial and police authorities on behalf of owners of video arcades in Kaohsiung who are under investigation.
"Lo is the only legislator involved in this [lobbying]," Su said.
Su's remarks brought his split with the the TSU caucus out into the open because other TSU law-makers sided with Lo.
"Su's outrageous remarks have seriously dented the party's image. The TSU must make every effort to solve this dispute soon or the party should remove the word `solidarity' from its name," Chien Lin said.
"As a lawyer, Su must know that he cannot make such serious accusations without checking with party headquarters first or without concrete evidence," Chien Lin said. "He skirted the party caucus by not clearing his remarks in advance."
The TSU caucus has demanded that Su report to its legislative office today.
An aide, however, announced yesterday that Su would visit TSU headquarters today.
Meanwhile, Lo is upset because he doesn't think the party has given him any support in the face of Su's accusations.
"The party's handling of the false accusation hurts me because it has made no defense of my innocence," Lo told a news conference in Taipei yesterday.
Legislator Huang Chung-yung (
"The TSU caucus stands behind Lo and believes Su's rash criticism has hurt Lo's reputation. We will demand Su formally apologize for his behavior," Huang said.
"The party caucus will suggest that Su's party membership be suspended or, if he refuses to apologize, that he be expelled," he said.
Another lawmaker, who declined to be named, said a key factor in Su's problems is his frankness.
"Su refuses to compromise his idealistic personality with political reality. It is obvious that he insists on holding others to the same high morals he has imposed on himself," the lawmaker said.
Su does have his supporters.
"Su is a remarkable lawmaker, considering his professional performance on the Legislative Yuan's Judiciary Committee," said Shirley Lin (
"He really impressed us because he hates injustice like a poison," she said.
Su said last night that he is ready to face being denounced by his party.
"Right and wrong should not be confused. I am ready to face the worst -- to stand alone in persevering for justice," Su said.
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