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Su issues letter
urging Chen’s medical release
CONCERN: The DPP chief urged city and county
councilors to propose resolutions in support of the former president’s release
for treatment
By Chris Wang / Staff reporter
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) has signed a
petition and issued an open letter to party representatives to call for the
release of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on medical grounds.
Su signed the petition — launched by several doctors, including National Taiwan
University Hospital physician Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) — after drawing criticism earlier
for refusing to sign it despite his verbal support.
“We call on supporters to sign the petition and express our concerns about the
former president’s health and right to medical treatment,” Su told reporters
after the party’s weekly Central Standing Committee meeting.
He also issued an open letter to 266 party representatives nationwide who serve
as city or county councilors and 45 opinion leaders to appeal for their support.
The DPP urged the city and county councilors to propose resolutions in support
of Chen’s release for medical treatment, Su said.
These moves were part of follow-up efforts of a resolution the party passed on
June 27, he said.
The agenda and proposals for the party’s national congress, which will be held
on Sunday, were discussed at the Central Standing Committee meeting.
Former premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) voiced support for a proposal to reinstate
members voting as part of the party’s election-nomination process — an idea that
has already won the support of many party members.
Former DPP legislator Chai Trong-rong (蔡同榮) said he would propose launching a
recall of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers in about 10 constituencies,
adding that he had collected about 50 signatures.
If the recall movement was successful and the DPP was able to win eight seats in
the by-elections, it would be the first time in history that the DPP would
control the legislature with an absolute majority, Chai said.
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