Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) is eligible to have two bodyguards, and can apply for more every two months, the National Police Agency (NPA) said on Sunday in response to claims that Ma had requested eight bodyguards.
The security detail that has followed Ma since he left office eight years ago is to be demobilized and reorganized, but Ma could apply for continued protection, the agency said, adding that a detail of one or two officers is normally assigned to a former president at their request.
In theory, more officers could be assigned if the protected person has reason to believe they or their family members’ lives are in danger, it said.
Photo: Taipei Times
To increase their security detail, Ma must apply in writing to the Ministry of the Interior, which reviews the requests before determining whether more officers are necessary.
“This is done every two months, and if the reason for the request is still valid after two months, the individual or organization making the request can apply again,” it said.
For example, former vice president Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) has requested four officers assigned to her security detail, the NPA said, adding that Ma would need to apply every two months just as Lu does.
A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concern that, while it is understandable that politicians would want more security, they are often assigned more officers than needed.
This would become a burden on taxpayers and waste police resources, the officer said.
“Outgoing presidents and vice presidents still have security needs, but the NPA should properly allocate staff resources based on real needs,” lawyer Chan
Chin-chien (詹晉鑒) said.
“The number of officers assigned to protect an outgoing president or vice president should never exceed the number protecting the current head of state or other current high-level officials,” Chan said.
A total of 109 officers are assigned to the protection of 33 current and former officials, with 36 of those officers assigned to Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁).
Former legislative speaker You Si-kun (游錫?) had six security guards (including four at his residence), while Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) has just one.
Most former high-ranking officials have security details. Former vice presidents Lien Chan (連戰), Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) and Wu Den-yih (吳敦義), as well as former legislative speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) and former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), are assigned two security officers each.
Additional reporting by Chien Li-chung
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