An estimated 300 supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday protested outside the Taichung-based Chungtai Institute of Health Sciences and Technology against a medical professor who had allegedly made bad jokes about President Chen Shui-bian (
Carrying various banners and led by legislators Wang Sing-nan (王幸男) and Lin Chung-mo (林重謨), the angry DPP supporters demanded an apology from retired military official Pan Jung-kuang (潘榕光) both to Chen and the public.
As Pan was not on campus yesterday, an official of the institute received the protesters and said the authorities are pondering measures to calm the uproar sparked by Pan's behavior.
PHOTO: HSU HSIA-LIEN, TAIPEI TIMES
Pan allegedly insulted Chen during four lectures in October. Pan was quoted as saying, "Chen is so idiotic that he has made all his followers crazy."
Pan allegedly further suggested that Chen should be caught for a bio-chemical experiment and his body sent to China for anatomization.
Pan's remarks against Chen reportedly received warm applause from the military officers.
Though Pan later denied making such remarks, DPP Legislator Chang Ching-fang (
Wang yesterday told reporters that his constituency service center had received several anonymous phone calls describing Pan as a "Chinese hero" and threatening to counter any attempt "that may hamper Pan."
Pan said in a telephonic interview that he refuses to apologize for something he had not said.
"I have already offered an apology for the uproar I have created on my official Web site, but I won't apologize for what I did not say," Pan said.
Pan also doubted that Wang had really received any threats.
"Being a great legislator, who would dare to threaten him? I think we should stop here.
"Don't let the [presidential] election campaign distort human nature to such an extent," Pan said.
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