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Lee calls for deepening democracy
REFORM NEEDED: The former president said no progress had
been made since 2000 because the two political camps had been engaged in
virulent partisan competition
By Ko Shu-ling
STAFF REPORTER
Sunday, Mar 14, 2010, Page 3
Former president Lee Teng-hui speaks at the
introduction of a new political association to the public in Taipei yesterday.
PHOTO: LO PEI-DER, TAIPEI TIMES
Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday introduced a new political
association to the public, with the stated aim of deepening democracy in the
country, which he said had fallen victim to ideology and partisan warfare.
Lee said the Lee Teng-hui Democracy Association (李登輝民主協會) was established to
point out the flaws of the government and speak out for the people.
Bemoaning the fact that no progress has been made since 2000, Lee said the
nation desperately needed a new wave of reform to deepen its democracy. Such
reform initiatives should cover the areas of democracy, politics, education, the
judiciary and spirit, he said.
During his 12-year presidency, Lee said his policy was to transform the country
from an authoritarian state to a democracy and he was glad that goal was
achieved with the help of the people.
Although Taiwan saw two transfers of power in 2000 and 2008, Lee said moral
decline and cultural retrogression since then has become a major problem.
Lee said many people believe the two changes of government have made Taiwan’s
democracy healthier and more mature, but in reality the two political camps have
been engaged in virulent partisan competition at the expense of national
interest and public well-being.
“People must vote the government out of power if it does a bad job,” he said.
“People are the real masters of the country and it makes perfect sense for a
master to change his servant if he cannot do his job properly.”
Lee urged the government to reach out to the opposition and seek consensus on
national identity. As it will take a long time to resolve the complex issue of
Taiwan’s statehood, he also urged politicians to handle political matters
rationally and be tolerant of different ideologies and political positions.
Criticizing the government’s economic policy, Lee said it not only failed to
address the unemployment problem, but also adopted a hands-off approach in
managing China-bound investment and appeared not to care about the hardships the
public is facing.
Lee also questioned China’s sincerity following its recent promises to help
Taiwan sign free-trade agreements with other countries if Taipei signs an
economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA).
“It never means what it says and will lie if that serves its purposes,” he said.
Tadae Takubo, vice chairman of Friends of the Lee Teng-hui Association in Japan,
expressed concern over the government’s China-friendly policy, saying Tokyo
could not afford to ignore such a disturbing development.
“Taiwan’s attitude toward Japan, the US and China plays a significant role in
the shifting military balance in the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.
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