One of the more surprising results in Saturday's local government elections was the amount of support garnered by the quixotic "king of protesting" in his failed bid to become Hualien County commissioner.
Although self-described professional protester Ko Szu-hai (
Often referred to as "the dog man" by Taipei residents, Ko made a name for himself after bringing a pack of dogs to the Presidential Office more than 10 years ago to protest the treatment of stray animals.
Since that time, he has embarked on a shameless effort to grab publicity by any possible means, appearing with signs and placards behind reporters making live broadcasts or showing up uninvited at press conferences, often with a menagerie in tow.
His "propaganda-mobiles" -- vans covered in huge signs crammed with Chinese characters -- are a common sight on the streets of Taipei.
Recently, Ko was often found wherever Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Authorities did in fact confiscate a cow belonging to Ko after it was found wandering in the streets, which is illegal in Taipei.
The unexpected show of support for Ko is not likely to go down well with one segment of society, however: bookies.
Unfortunately for local bookies, the number of votes that Ko gained was much higher than their estimates of 5,000 votes, and many lost a substantial amount of money as a result, according to TVBS and Central News Agency reports.
Early yesterday, Ko embarked on the customary post-election tour to thank supporters in Hualien County, TVBS reported.
Although he lost, Ko said that the outcome was favorable and that he planned to run for president in 2012.
Not even the chilly weather could cool Ko's enthusiasm.
"I did it [his campaign] in only three months," Ko said. "When I made public speeches, bystanders applauded me. I am very happy."
Ko is probably the happiest defeated candidate in the elections, and not even his conviction for accounting fraud earlier this year seemed to bother him.
When he learned of his defeat on Saturday evening, Ko was not at his campaign headquarters -- he was at a traditional Taiwanese buffet, eating dinner alone.
"No matter what the election result might be, I want to express my appreciation to my supporters," Ko said.
Many people were surprised at the extent of Ko's support, and said that it was hard to believe he could garner so many votes in Hualien County.
Ko said that in the future, he would "take root" in Hualien, and that his short-term plan is to run in the Hualien City councilor elections next year.
‘DENIAL DEFENSE’: The US would increase its military presence with uncrewed ships, and submarines, while boosting defense in the Indo-Pacific, a Pete Hegseth memo said The US is reorienting its military strategy to focus primarily on deterring a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a memo signed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth showed. The memo also called on Taiwan to increase its defense spending. The document, known as the “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” was distributed this month and detailed the national defense plans of US President Donald Trump’s administration, an article in the Washington Post said on Saturday. It outlines how the US can prepare for a potential war with China and defend itself from threats in the “near abroad,” including Greenland and the Panama
The High Prosecutors’ Office yesterday withdrew an appeal against the acquittal of a former bank manager 22 years after his death, marking Taiwan’s first instance of prosecutors rendering posthumous justice to a wrongfully convicted defendant. Chu Ching-en (諸慶恩) — formerly a manager at the Taipei branch of BNP Paribas — was in 1999 accused by Weng Mao-chung (翁茂鍾), then-president of Chia Her Industrial Co, of forging a request for a fixed deposit of US$10 million by I-Hwa Industrial Co, a subsidiary of Chia Her, which was used as collateral. Chu was ruled not guilty in the first trial, but was found guilty
A wild live dugong was found in Taiwan for the first time in 88 years, after it was accidentally caught by a fisher’s net on Tuesday in Yilan County’s Fenniaolin (粉鳥林). This is the first sighting of the species in Taiwan since 1937, having already been considered “extinct” in the country and considered as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A fisher surnamed Chen (陳) went to Fenniaolin to collect the fish in his netting, but instead caught a 3m long, 500kg dugong. The fisher released the animal back into the wild, not realizing it was an endangered species at
DEADLOCK: As the commission is unable to forum a quorum to review license renewal applications, the channel operators are not at fault and can air past their license date The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that the Public Television Service (PTS) and 36 other television and radio broadcasters could continue airing, despite the commission’s inability to meet a quorum to review their license renewal applications. The licenses of PTS and the other channels are set to expire between this month and June. The National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that the commission must meet the mandated quorum of four to hold a valid meeting. The seven-member commission currently has only three commissioners. “We have informed the channel operators of the progress we have made in reviewing their license renewal applications, and
RSS