Former premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄), who was also a former presidential adviser, died yesterday.
He was 87.
President William Lai (賴清德) offered condolences to the family, saying that Chang had led an exemplary life by making great contributions to democracy and human rights in Taiwan, and giving voice to disenfranchised people.
Photo: Taipei Times
Chang had been a defense lawyer for people prosecuted during the 1979 Kaohsiung Incident, showing a stout heart in the defense of freedom and human rights, Lai said.
He was a faithful servant of the public, having served as a lawmaker for multiple terms, Presidential Office secretary-general and chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation, Lai said, adding that Chang played a role in cultivating Taiwan’s ties with the international community.
Chang was deeply involved in charitable causes and issues affecting the public even after retiring from politics, Lai said.
Taiwanese should remember Chang’s achievements in facilitating the development of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and public governance, he said.
Government offices have been ordered to provide for Chang’s funeral arrangements if necessary.
Former presidents Chen Sui-bian (陳水扁) and Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), as well as Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) also offered their condolences yesterday.
Born in Chiayi County in 1938, Chang graduated from National Taiwan University's law school before beginning his legal career in Kaohsiung.
A core member who co-founded the DPP in 1986, Chang served six terms as a legislator and also held posts such as DPP secretary-general, Presidential Office secretary-general, and twice as premier -- from Oct. 2000 to Feb. 2002 and from May 2007 to May 2008 -- both under Chen.
Following his one-year stint as premier for a second time from 2007 to 2008, Chang stepped back from politics and devoted himself to charitable work, mainly volunteering in prisons to support inmate rehabilitation.
Chang was appointed a senior adviser to the president when the DPP returned to power in 2016 under Tsai, a role he continued in under Lai.
While neither the Presidential Office nor the DPP disclosed the cause of death, former legislator Huang Chao- hui (黃昭輝) of the DPP said Chang passed away peacefully at home on Saturday afternoon, attributing it to natural causes associated with aging.
Additional reporting by CNA
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