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EDITORIAL:
Cross-party spirit only goes so far
The rarely seen spirit of cross-party cooperation made its presence felt in the
legislature on Sunday when lawmakers concerned about protecting the environment
joined forces despite their otherwise insurmountable mutual antipathy.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chiu Wen-yen (邱文彥), Democratic
Progressive Party Legislator Tien Chiu-chin (田秋堇) and People First Party (PFP)
Legislator Chang Show-foong (張曉風) led by example as they called on their peers
to quit bickering along party lines when it comes to the environment.
The main focus of the lawmakers was the remaining wetlands along the west coast
and coastal areas that have not yet been concreted over.
Their call for cooperation was admirable, but given the track record of
lawmakers, whether they be pan-green or pan-blue, the public should not expect a
new era of eco-detente to be embraced any time soon.
What seems more likely is that a small number of legislators, such as Chang of
the PFP, who is noted for opposing — but not stopping — the construction of a
biotechnology center in Taipei City’s Nangang District (南港), will make regular
calls on their peers to put aside partisan interests in the name of protecting
the environment for future generations.
Such a call cannot be completely ignored, because it is generally accepted by
the public, if not by politicians and corporate bosses, that protecting the
environment is a good idea. However, most lawmakers are likely to remain silent
when Chang and her colleagues call for huge infrastructure projects on wetlands
or coastlines to be halted.
They will agree wholeheartedly when called on to do their civic duty and keep
the nation clean, but then most likely vote down any proposals that might hurt
their corporate constituents, while working to undermine any cross-party
agreements made by Chang and like-minded lawmakers.
This is probably one of the few issues that could unite pan-green and pan-blue
politicians — secret opposition to environmental policies to protect the
corporate interests of their constituents.
Chang is a true environmentalist and appears determined to push policies that
protect what is left of the nation’s already besieged natural environment.
However, it is doubtful that she can achieve much on her own in the Legislative
Yuan.
If, by some miracle and collusion of interests, Chang does get lawmakers from
the KMT and DPP to agree to rules that keep developers away from wetlands and
coastal areas, the rest of Taiwan will owe her a huge debt of gratitude because
no other lawmaker has focused on the goals she has set out for herself.
It is a huge task. She would have to change the legal code regulating industry
in those zones, amend the Land Expropriation Act (土地徵收條例), strengthen the
Environmental Protection Administration so that it is not simply a rubber stamp
for corporate interests, and stop local politicians and business leaders from
simply ignoring central government decisions. It would also be necessary to
ensure rules were enforced nationally and not just for photogenic famous
wetlands like those near Wugoushui Village (五溝水) in Pingtung County’s Wanluan
Township (萬巒).
Chang is going to need a clear idea of the challenges that lie ahead if she is
to protect Taiwan’s environment for the use of future generations.
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