阿扁下台!!

For the past week, thousands of Taiwanese had taken to the streets and demanded the resignation of President Chen Shui Bian. His family had been involved in too many scandals and former DPP (Ah-Bian's own party) Chairman Shih Ming-teh had came up with this anti-corruption campaign.

While Shih Ming-teh is no longer a big political player as he once was, he is still respected for his contributions in making Taiwan a democracy as it is today. In total, he spent 25 years in jail as a political prisoner, 13 of which in solitary confinement and 4 on hunger strike. While people may disagree with him politically, no one can doubt his love for Taiwan.

Similar things had happened earlier in the year in Thailand when the Thais protested to get Thaksin resign. He did in the end, not really due to the pressure from the public but more because of the displeasure of the King. However there's no one currently in Taiwan who enjoys the same status and respect as the Thai King. It seems that there's no end in sight to the current political fracas.

Ah Bian insisted that he didn't do anything wrong and promised to serve until the end of his term in 2008. Interestingly, there are still people supporting him. They are known as the 'deep' green camp who fears that once Ah Bian is no longer the president Taiwan will revert back to an autocracy. I don't understand why they are still standing by a President who is corrupt and had failed in his management of the country.

For those who had voted for him previously, the scandals must have been a big blow. When Ah Bian came into office 6 years ago promising reforms, many supporters had high hopes for DPP to deliver its promises. 6 years on, they must be terribly disappointed. Life hasn't improved while Ah Bian's family and cronies lined their pockets with money. It's really unthinkable that Ah Bian had came into power due to his clean and upright image. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The high ranking officials in mainland China must be observing the situation with great interest. Firstly while Ah Bian isn't their favourite man to be president, his deputy Annette Lu is known to have stronger pro-independence sentiments. His resignation means that Annette will be the president until at least 2008. Secondly mainland China is also besotted with many corruption problems of its own. There is always a risk of their own citizens of doing something similar. They will never want a repeat of June 4th 1989.

Unlike the Taiwanese, Singaporeans don't seem to have any strong political beliefs. It's really unthinkable to see Singaporeans doing the same thing. Probably our education system has made us too pragmatic. I salute those who went to the protest. They all went on their own initiatives and had to brave the rain and wind. Many had travelled from different parts of the country or overseas to participate in the demonstration. They will not stop until Ah Bian resigns. While they haven't succeeded yet, Ah Bian certainly knew one thing: he no longer has any moral authority to lead Taiwan.

阿扁下台!!