The no-confidence motion brought against the ROC Cabinet by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party is a significant constitutional matter and must be addressed seriously, according to Premier Jiang Yi-huah Oct. 14.
Jiang said the DPP cited seven reasons for its motion, the most serious of which accuses him of infringing on the Constitution and causing political disorder. He made the remarks at a news conference called to clarify the Cabinet’s position and explain the facts clearly to the public.
Rebutting DPP claims that he was involved in a conspiracy to incite a political battle to the detriment of democracy and Constitutional order, the premier said the recent political turmoil results from the Special Investigation Division’s disclosure of a conversation between Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng and DPP legislative whip Ker Chien-ming. The pair is suspected of improper lobbying and interference in a legal case involving Ker as a defendant.
“Throughout this entire process, I was not the one peddling influence, nor did I have any authority to sway SID investigations. Therefore, the DPP is entirely groundless in branding me as conspiring with others to instigate political feuds,” Jiang said.
Concerning the DPP’s allegation that he openly interfered with the independence of the Legislature and attempted to tilt the balance of power by stating “we are ready for a Legislature without Wang Jin-pyng,” the premier said this allegation could not be further from the truth.
According to Jiang, a transcript of the interview during which the alleged comment was made proved he was misquoted. He said he intended to state that the “administrative team must be prepared to face any possibility.”
Since the controversy erupted, Jiang said he attended every session of the Legislature and was ready to present a policy report and answer lawmakers’ questions, yet was denied six times the chance to do so.
Regarding accusations of permitting improper wiretapping of the Legislature’s switchboard, Jiang reiterated that illegal surveillance will not be tolerated in a democratic country and even legal surveillance operations must conform to the principle of proportionality.
The outcome of an investigation into the SID’s wiretapping operation showed that the unit violated no laws in wiretapping the 0972 phone number, and that the tap was not deliberate but resulted from administrative oversights, Jiang said.
Although the SID has been cleared of deliberately wiretapping the Legislature, the premier said the government understands that public concerns still linger about whether investigators abused their powers.
To protect the rule of law and people’s rights to privacy, the government must examine the system to root out illegal surveillance and prohibit indiscriminate wiretapping, he added.
“Therefore, while I respect the DPP’s right to propose the no-confidence motion, I reject their reasons for doing so and I believe the Legislature will make the correct decision when the time comes.”
Jiang said what deeply concerns him is not the outcome of the motion, but how Taiwan’s political situation will be affected by a confrontational atmosphere, how the economy can grow and how the welfare of the public can be safeguarded. “Political conflicts have driven people apart and slowed economic growth.”
The premier urged the opposition to stop political conflicts and work with the government on such challenges as speeding up economic development, closing urban-rural gap, improving long-term health care and helping the youth realize its dreams.
“Our countermeasures must be stronger and faster, because we are competing not with the Taiwan of yesterday but with the world of tomorrow. This is a race against time, and we absolutely must not lose it.
“My fellow citizens, the administrative team standing before you is determined to act. It is concerned not with credit or blame but only with promoting whatever benefits Taiwan and eradicating whatever harms us.” (RC-JSM)
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