
Corruption in Taiwan ★ this site's world No.1 in 2020~23, 2017~19 , 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010~12 ★ Top since 1998 ★	fights for rights

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Taiwan

rotten and smells

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The ruling DPP's corruption - structural, collective and overall (結構性、集體性、全面性貪腐) ; a bunch of vote-brokers, officials, law makers get involved; DPP's corruption has already crossed the bottom line, and being out of control. chinatimes.com/opinion/20230626004425-262101?chdtv brief

★ US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released at 2023-3-20 (state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/taiwan/):

♦ In 2020 presidential and legislative elections, there were allegations of vote buying by candidates and supporters of both major political parties.
♦ In the year to May, 21 high-ranking officials, 38 mid-level, 83 low-level, and 18 elected officials were indicted for corruption.

★ Denmark's Democracy Perception Index 2023: Most people view corruption as a threat to democracy in their country - Taiwan ranks world 17, behind Singapore (No.7), Japan (9), Australia (10), Hong Kong (12), S Korea (13). 6389062.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6389062/Canva%20images/Democracy%20Perception%20Index%202023.pdf

★ China Times, editorial , 2023-4-10: an anti-corruption union is what Taiwan needs, KMT earns public trust on anti-corruption issue? ...The vaccine procurement case involving huge profits is full of doubts, but the prosecutors and investigation gov. don't even touch it ! chinatimes.com/opinion/20230410004586-262101?chdtv

★ Economist, 2022-8-2:Taiwan needs to do more to combat corruption and waste in its armed forces economist.com/leaders/2022/08/02/nancy-pelosis-trip-to-taiwan-highlights-americas-incoherent-strategy

★ TaiwanPlus, 2023-3-6	A poll has found that 85% of people in Taiwan think public prosecutors can be subject to political influence. A majority said they believed prosecutors engage in corruption behaviour when handling cases msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/taiwan-poll-finds-widespread-public-mistrust-of-prosecutors-taiwanplus-news/vi-AA18glWE
★ China Times (中時), 2023-3-16 brief chinatimes.com/opinion/20230316005423-262101?chdtv	DPP government forcefully roll out "Green Energy" ，huge profits and complicated review process give politicians room to practise fraud, they are called "green roaches" for so many malfeasances in recent years, It's a big black hole !!

★ Avios, 2022-6-28: Scandals and corruption have plagued the Taiwanese armed forces axios.com/2022/06/28/taiwan-military-defense-weapons-china-invasion-threat

★ Voice of America, 2022-11-23: "black gold"-"heijin." Corruption in Local Politics / The term directly translates to "black gold" but most in the audience understand that it refers to corruption, vote buying, or illicit money used for political purposes... vote buying, and even candidates with ties to organized crime have been hard to erase completely in more rural areas... in Nantou, because it is relatively rural, buying votes is actually very serious, I would say prevalent voanews.com/a/taiwan-struggles-to-shake-off-era-of-corruption-in-local-politics/6846530.html brief

★ United Daily, editorial , 2023-5-24: Taiwan's law maker accepted offering from fraud-crime group!! law maker 陳歐珀's families are parasites of fraud group im.B; besides, deputy premier 鄭文燦、mayor 黃偉哲、former Secretary General of Presidential Office 蘇嘉全 all were entertained by graud-crime group. However, the chair of the ruling party Lai (賴清德) still keep silent about this scandal, where is his honesty and uprightness he always praise oneself？ udn.com/news/story/7338/7185989?from=udn_ch2_menu_v2_main_cate

★ United Daily , editorial , 2023-5-24 : KMT law maker pointed out officer(s) of Taiwan's FBI (investigation gov. 調查局) invested NT$ 13 million on im.B fraud platform, a "star" level prosecutor was also entertained by fraud group. udn.com/news/story/123523/7188786?from=udn_ch2cate6638sub123523_pulldownmenu_v2

★ China Times ( 中時), 2023-5-26: The ruling party's power goes over the law - high-ranking officials like premier (蘇貞昌) and minister of transportation (王國材) both said the same phrase "No need to do investigation" (「不必查」) as long as those involved are "our men". chinatimes.com/opinion/20230526004293-262101?chdtv

★ al jazeera, 2022-5-30: Taiwan legislature erupts in violence over "secret expenses" bill / KMT lawmakers try to block bill they say could be used to overturn ex-President Chen Shui-bian’s corruption conviction. Lawmakers armed with signs and loudspeakers, pushed and shoved each other and threw water and paper (fake money) to prevent a third reading of the bill. Chen was found guilty of misusing funds by fake receipts etc. brief from aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/30/brawl-breaks-out-in-taiwan-legislature United Daily, Taiwan, 2022-5-31: A formal member of Special Investigation Division says if losing the last line of defense, there would be no law to punish president's connecting public monies with a private or personal burse... udn.com/news/story/122808/6352386?from=udn_ch2cate6638sub122808_pulldownmenu_v2

★ Transparency International, Germany / Global Corruption Barometer, released in 2022 - comparisons among main Asian countries
country	people who think government corruption is a big problem	public service users paid a bribe in the previous 12 months	public clinic, health centres	utilities	police	gov. officials	local gov. officials	judges, magis- trates	corruption level increased in previous 12months
Taiwan	90%	17%	9%	28%	67%	19%	20%	15%	38%
Japan	84	2	2	4	10	7	26	6	36
Malaysia	71	13	5	11	30	28	16	12	20
China	62	28	26	17	16	18	18	13	39
S Korea	55	10	6	14	8	26	42	24	17
transparency.org/en/countries/taiwan

★ United Daily (Taiwan), 2022-12-24: member of Membership Accreditation Committee, Transparency International: various surveys show that the No.1 public-grievance about the admin. is corruption and "black gold" (現階段台灣民眾最不滿意的施政項目是貪腐與黑金)。 udn.com/news/story/7339/6861292?from=udn-catehotnews_ch2

★ United Daily, editorial , 2022-7-17: The DPP decriminalizes the case of president's secret expense (國務機要費案) so that current president and next presidents won't get any legal trouble any more in the future. It's a shame that the government covers the corruption, the legislative and the judicial system both give service to it. (政府行政護貪、立法為惡、司法助虐) udn.com/news/story/7338/6466748?from=udn-catehotnews_ch2

★ China Times, editorial , 2022-7-17: Some political party with admin. or executive power is happy to take bribes from interest groups and work for them... officials with administrative power can earn profits from bribery or political contributions/donations (掌握行政大權的官員同樣可上下其手，直接受賄或是在政治捐獻中獲取利益) chinatimes.com/opinion/20220716002628-262101?chdtv

★ China Times, editorial , 2022-6-1, "The whole DPP party backups corruption, a shame of Taiwan's democracy": When the corruption scandal broke out in 2008, all DPP members gave ex-President Chen Shui-bian a cold shoulder, Chen's daughter 陳幸妤 was mad and shouted："Has anyone in DPP not taken money from my father ?? ", which shocked all fields, therefore, pan-Green Coalition has been involved in Chen's case.(綠營因此遭扁綁架事出有因)。 chinatimes.com/opinion/20220531004670-262101?chdtv

★ US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released at 2022-4-12 (state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/taiwan/):

nIn 2020 presidential and legislative elections, President Tsai Ing-wen won re-election,...there were allegations of vote buying by candidates and supporters of both major political parties.
n13 high-ranking officials, 79 mid-level, 93 low-level, and 18 elected officials were indicted for corruption.
nthe Ministry of Justice and the Judicial Yuan referred six officials to the Control Yuan for criminal investigation, including former minister of justice Tseng Yung-fu, former prosecutor general Wu Ying-chao, and two others for investigation of noncriminal misconduct, including Supreme Administrative Court judge..., the Judicial Yuan referred six former judges to the Control Yuan for investigation of noncriminal misconduct. the Ministry of Justice investigated 77 other incumbent and former judicial and law enforcement officials implicated in similar behavior with the same businessperson.
na senior investigator of the Ministry of Justice's Investigation Bureau was indicted for corruption for allegedly profiting from the sale of narcotics worth more than 168 million New Taiwan dollars ($5.6 million) seized in law enforcement investigations over eight years.
nthe mayor and the council speaker of Pingtung City were convicted of corruption and sentenced to seven and four years in prison, respectively, for colluding with a private contractor to misappropriate 2.4 million New Taiwan dollars ($80,000) in public funds over three years.

★ International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, 2021 Global State of Democracy

(idea.int/gsod/sites/default/files/2021-11/spotlight-on-taiwan-gsod2021.pdf)
SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN
corruption cases, some of them highprofile, have continued to emerge, one of the most serious being that of five MPs from three political parties, the DPP and KMT included, charged with accepting bribes from the ex-Chairman of a major investment firm in violation of the 2007 Anti-Corruption Act—a case viewed by some as highlighting Taiwan’s weak record on regulating political lobbying.

★ US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices , 2021-3-30

state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/taiwan/ Authorities prosecuted officials including incumbent and former legislators involved in a high-profile bribery case.

Section 4. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government: There were reports of official corruption during the year. In the year to May, nine high-ranking officials, 59 mid-level, 75 low-level, and 18 elected people’s deputies had been indicted for corruption. In September the Taipei District Prosecutors Office charged incumbent legislators Su Chen-ching of the Democratic Progressive Party, Liao Kuo-tung and Chen Chao-ming of the Kuomintang, and former New Power Party legislator Hsu Yung-ming with accepting bribes to assist a businessman in regaining control of the ownership of a department store chain. In addition independent legislator Chao Cheng-yu was indicted in a separate bribery case involving two funeral services companies and a plot of land in a national park. These cases were pending trial.

★ Transparency International, Taiwan ranks No. 7 in Asia & Pacific in 2021

Transparency Int'l , CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX, 2021
country of Asia & Pacific	score
New Zealand	score 88 No.1
Singapore	No.4
Hong Kong	No. 12
Australia	No. 18
Japan	No. 18
UAE	No. 24
Bhutan	No. 25
Taiwan	score 68 No. 25
transparency.org/en/cpi/2021

Taiwan judiciary crashes

Formosa TV news, 1-19-2021 3:00pm: Taiwan's judicial rotten scandal of the century, it's an international joke ! Apple Daily, editorial, 1-19-2021:
Rotten & stinky judiciary shakes the nation-to-its-core. China Times, editorial, 1-19-2021: Taiwan judiciary crashes.

pic.: The sites group was ranked No.1 by "corruption in Taiwan" on Yandex of Russia , 2022-3-25, 3-12-2020

pic.: The sites group was ranked No.1 by "in Taiwan corruption " on Yandex of Russia , 2022-3-25;, No.2 "Taiwan corruption" on Yandex , 10-25-2019

pic.: The sites group was ranked No.1 by "corruption in Taiwan" on US Bing , 7-26-2019,11-28-2018, No.2 at 3-12-2020

At Aug. 2, 2020, top presidential aide resigns amid nephew's ( a DPP lawmaker ) bribery allegations. The image of parliament and Taiwan's democracy worsen after some lawmakers, the leader of New Power political party were involved corruption and were 'court hears request to detain' at 8-1-2020. Corruption in parliament seems never end ( United Daily 8-3-2020 ), lawmakers of same party shared illegal benefits or covered each other, and usually won't disclose political rivals' greasy palms, that's Taiwan's political culture and 'ecology'. ( Apple Daily, editorial, 8-3-2020 https://tw.appledaily.com/headline/20200803/BQXMSWTYOVERHBPGLUKPXAA5LQ/)

N.Y. Times 12-3-2019: soft underbelly of Taiwanese politics: patronage networks. they continue to allow community leaders, farmers’ associations and even organized-crime figures to buy votes.
The China Times (chinatimes.com/opinion/20200806005356-262105?chdtv), opinion (8-7-2020): Originally the parliament provides effective checks and balances on the power of president, but 6-times amendments of the Constitution by former president Lee T. H. eliminated the key mechanism of democracy, balance of powers, therefore leads to endless corruptions - the "Sunshine Law" trickly Justifies taking bribes, and a weird phenomenon - the premier takes the responsibility but lacks of power, the president hold the power but no responsibility.

The Apple Daily, 9-13-2020, editorial, opinion : The dark networks those wealthy businessmen created can make the administration, the parliament, the Control Yuan and the judicial system to take care of the 'missions' they gave, e.g., the over-the-counter (OTC) stock and Interest Arbitrage Transaction are good tools to control the officials. Taiwan's judicial reform has not achieved the goal. https://tw.appledaily.com/headline/20200912/XRWWTEZPLBGARBFFHQVXMYCH2Q/'; https://tw.appledaily.com/forum/20200912/NAQP67HBRRAP5LZ3ZW4AFWTAEQ/ Taiwan judicial reform has not reached planned performance; Taiwanese are not willing to wait any longer for a trusty justice.

In platform presentation at 12-25-2019, corruption is main issue to debate, Nationalist Party (KMT) Presidential candidate Han criticized Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate current President Tsai has allowed top officials around grow very corrupt, Tsai refuted KMT was more serious, People First Party candidate Song said that speaking of corruption and unfair judiciary, KMT and DPP are about the same. United Daily 1-8-2020, editorial: The ruling party has been good at collective dividing the spoils ... the judicial system and investigation gov. have been obsequious and dared not to investigate the power and the richness (brief).

N.Y. Times 12-3-2019: soft underbelly of Taiwanese politics: patronage networks. they continue to allow community leaders, farmers’ associations and even organized-crime figures to buy votes.

Taiwan scored 65 points out of 100 on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International in 2020. According to USA Country Reports on Human Rights practices, there were reports of official corruption during the year. nine ranking officials, 72 mid-level, 115 low-level, and 11 elected people’s deputies had been indicted for corruption. N.Y. Times 12-3-2019: soft underbelly of Taiwanese politics: patronage networks. they continue to allow community leaders, farmers’ associations and even organized-crime figures to buy votes.

The United Daily, editorial 9-28-2019: The government uses prosecutors & investigation office, or minister/admin officers, legislators to shield its grafts or malfeasances, to help the crooked wind of corruption and harm social justice (udn.com/news/story/11321/4071079). Apple Daily (12-7-2018) editorial : Taiwan's corruption is off the charts by collusions between government officials and business owners, furthermore, Taiwan's underworld going wild to assist government officials, business and some elected representatives (e.g., legislators) in corruption has been ahead of most corrupt countries, e.g., China, Indonesia, Brazil, Philippines, Vietnam, the stinky rotten food-chain crossing pan-Blue (Nationalist, KMT) and pan-Green (DPP) resurges after Taiwan's elections ...... Transparency International 1-29-2019: Taiwan has stagnated in the Corruption Perspective Index rankings since 2011 with its score 61~63 (dropped 2 spots this year), in contrast, South Korea improved by 3 points in 2017. Transparency International (Taiwan) 1-8-2020: Taiwan highest ranking - president and P.M. should declare determination to get rid of corruption, put transparent process into practice, to make judicial system understand what to do ! ((brief) apple daily, 曹耀鈞)

Taiwan is a rotten country. USA Country Reports on Human Rights practices (4.20.2018, 3.3.2017, 4.13.2016, 6.26.2015) pointed out Taiwan's Principal human rights problems includes official corruption. The number of high-ranking officials' corruption in 2016 report is about double of that in the previous year.

Taiwan scored 63 points out of 100 on the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index released by Germany's Transparency International in 2019, dropped 2 positions compared to that of previous year. US Country Reports on Human Rights practices (4.20.2018) pointed out the justice ministry was insufficiently independent and conducted politically motivated investigations of politicians. US Country Reports on Human Rights practices (3.3.2017, 4.13. 2016) stated the judicial system suffered from some corruption. corruption and diminish political influence in the judiciary problems remained. Taiwan high-ranking officials were on corruption charges on this year.

According to Transparency International's report at 2-21-2018, Taiwan's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) scored 63，ranked Asia No. 7. Apple Daily of Taiwan at 2-23-2018 reported Taiwan's GDAI is placed in Band B.

Apple Daily opinions at 7-13-2019 criticized that four obstacles resulting in Taiwan's anti-corruption system failure on parliaments ( democracy-body ) include Taiwan president has not taken this issue seriously, the information on judiciary documents (judgments and conclusions) are not transparent enough, and the parliament itself opposed administration controls... Apple Daily (7-25-2019, forum): Taiwan's National Security system's smuggling reveals collective corruption culture. UDN<聯合報>, opinions, 11-1-2019: low-ranking officials' mean conduct(s) also is Taiwan's important index of integrity, some of them can only be charged by "the crime of confidential information leakages" instead of "consideration relationship (quid pro quo)".

United Daily (8-25-2018 <聯合報>): Transparency International's former president Jose Ugaz pointed out that new form corruption is "Grand Corruption" (top officials crimes), which needs judiciary and people working together to fight that huge connections. According to national report (聯合國反貪腐公約國家報告), five international experts of reviews committee advised that Taiwan should restrict political donations (from bad to worse) from private corporations, and amend related laws - Companies and Corporations Act.

The finding of the 2013 Global Corruption Barometer (GCB, Transparency international) shows Taiwan is the 18th worst corruption country, <Apple Daily> (7.11.2013): survey found 75.07% Taiwanese people think corruption in Taiwan is actually worse than GCB's report.

National Chung Cheng university's survey (head-page of the Liberty Times, 2-23-2016) found: nearly 80% Taiwanese people are not satisfied with government's measures against corruption.

Apple Daily (2-4-2017 editorial): Taiwan's anti-corruption system retreated, the anti-corruption strategy is not overall so that it is difficult to root in our bureaucracy, government information's transparency is not enough ... (Transparency Org. Taiwan, professor楊永年)

According to 2013 survey (Dec. 10, 2013) conducted by The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD ) & Shih Hsin University (SHU), Taiwanese respondents gave only 1.8 points (a "F" score on rate 0.0~5.0 points) to the nation on "non-corruption in government" item. (Taiwan Judicial system)

Corruption in Taiwanese officials field is even worse ( more serious ) than that in China's officials circle in last year, and about same score as China this year, according to a survey by PERC , which was reported by most Taiwan's news media. Taiwan's CPI (Corruption Perception Index, by Germany based Transparency Int'l) rankings in recent 3 years are worse than those in 1998-2000 by about 8-9 positions in average.

Corruption is not only throughout Taiwan's military, police, education systems, Parliament/legislation, Public officials/civil servants, political parties, religious circles, media, also lies in the judiciary & high court judges.

It seems Taiwan has not decided to rooting out or even really fighting against corruption ( already proved to be one of the hardest tasks to achieve).

< The Economist >of UK (2010) stated 3 high-court judges and a prosecutor had been detained amid allegations that they took bribes to fix the outcome of a high-profile case, has brought Taiwanese public outrage to boiling point.

However, Taiwan has not repented its corruption for a long time, Legislators ( similar to senators or congressmen in the US ) only passed a reform bill with handicapped function ― only under " certain condition", judicial investigation into government employee's foggy/unknown property is allowed ― so that legislators (or other people in power) can continue taking a bribe.

The reasons Taiwan had not really held a large anti-corruption campaign also include :

(1) Taiwan government is afraid of loss in political elections.

(2) The arrested suspects may disclose many more (other) "partners" implicated in the case, so that Taiwan government can't handle it well.

etc.

Taiwan's latest announcement by president ― the formation of a new commission to battle corruption, is criticized/questioned by all major newspapers in Taiwan.

Media suggested Taiwan must takes lessons from successful experiences of Singapore's <Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau> and Hong Kong's <Independent Commission Against Corruption>.

(1) New commission must has the power to judicially investigate into government official's origin of the surplus money, as long as their income is more than normally they can earn .

(2) New commission should be at high position, i.e., is affiliated to Taiwan's president, so as to not be hobbled by foxy people in power or by a debt of gratitude.

(3) New commission functions independently.

(4) New commission's members have no any relation or connection with bureaucratic systems and dirty money network so as to implement the plan neutrally.

(5) Legislative Yuan (the national legislature) must backs budgets for New commission, so that Legislators and high ranking officials in power won't be able to threaten them.

(6) Needs a watching mechanism to avoid New Commission working on wrong purpose, i.e., selecting specific or minor or wrong targets and turning a blind eye to others.

But Taiwan's new commission has none of above .

So, Apple Daily News, most popular news in Taiwan, concluded at July 21 that New Commission is useless, forget about it !

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Taiwan's corruption, comments by media

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★ <Transparency International>, Germany, 1-30-2019

Taiwan scored 63 points out of 100 on the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Taiwan dropped 2 positions - now is ranking No. 31 (same position as Brunei Darussalam) and was ranked No.29 in previous year. Taiwan's best ranking record is No. 25.
Other Asian countries rankings are : No.2 New Zealand, No. 3 Singapore (scored 85), No. 14 Hong Kong, No. 18 Japan, and so on.
Corruption Perceptions Index 2018

★ <The US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices >, released at 4-20-2018

The most significant human rights issues included corruption . The justice ministry was insufficiently independent and conducted politically motivated investigations of politicians.

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★ Apple Daily, 12-7-2018, editorial : Taiwan's corruption is off the charts by collusions between government officials and business owners, furthermore, Taiwan's underworld going wild to assist government officials, business and some elected representatives (e.g., legislators) in corruption has been ahead of most corrupt countries, e.g., China, Indonesia, Brazil, Philippines, Vietnam, the stinky rotten food-chain crossing pan-Blue (Nationalist, KMT) and pan-Green (DPP) resurges after Taiwan's elections ... ( 黑金復辟 "Taiwan's Corpse Politics and Corruption Alliance", https://tw.appledaily.com/headline/daily/20181207/38199252/) ...

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★ Apple Daily, 5-12-2018, Focus comments (https://tw.appledaily.com/forum/daily/20180512/38011358 林達)
Terminate Taiwan's image, a "corruption is innocent" empire - Taiwan High Court judged a case (asking 200 million dollars and raked off 40 million for herself) not guilty, Taiwan's related law has numerous loopholes, Taiwan needs a Gratuity Law as the US 18 U.S.C. & 201(c) as soon as possible.

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★ Apple Daily, 5-15-2018, Focus comments

Consideration relationship (“quid pro quo", 對價關係, " something for something.") is the exit door for suspect crimes committing corruption to escape.

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★ <Transparency International>, Germany, 2-21-2018

Taiwan's corruption_perceptions_index (CPI) scored 63, ranked Asia No. 7, next to world No.1 new Zealand (score 89)、world No.6 Singapore (score 84)、No. 13 Aistralia、13 Hong Kong、20 Japan、26 Bhutan，Taiwan ranked world No. 29 ( same as Portugal、卡達)，top 5 countries are New Zealand, Denmark (score 88), and 3 No.3 (same score 85) Finland, Norway, Swiss, USA got No.16 (score 75 ).

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★ <GDAI Government Defence Anti-corruption Index>, ref to Apple Daily at 2-23-2018

Taiwan is placed in Band B of GDAI, with robust controls against corruption across risk areas. Robust frameworks for oversight combine with clear evidence of efforts to ensure a strong ethical culture.

Taiwan is placed in Band C for Operations and Procurement Risk. Personnel risks scored Band A .
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★ <The US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices >, released at 3-3-2017

     One of principal human rights problems is official corruption.
     201 officials, including 23 high-ranking officials, on corruption charges. A survey conducted in July by the Crime Research Center of National Chung Cheng University found that 76 percent of respondents were dissatisfied with authorities’ anticorruption efforts.
     Types of exploitation included migrant workers becoming victims of domestic violence and official corruption.

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★ <Transparency International>, 1-25-2017

Taiwan received score 61, one point less than the previous year, on the Corruption Perceptions Index for 2016 published by Transparency International. World No.1 countries, Denmark and New Zealand got score 90. Singapore got the highest score (84) and highest ranking (No.7) among Asian countries, Hong Kong at No.15 with 77 points and Japan at No.20 with 72 points.

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★ <The US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015>, released at April 13, 2016

One of principal human rights problems is official corruption.
Taiwan judicial system suffered from some corruption. Although authorities made efforts to eliminate corruption and diminish political influence in the judiciary, some residual problems remained.
Authorities indicted 285 officials, including 22 high-ranking officials, on corruption charges during the year.

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★ <Heritage Foundation> & <WallStreet Journal>, 02-02- 2016 （2016 Index of Economic Freedom）

The score of Freedom From Corruption is down in this year's report. Debates about the proper scope of government in welfare policies continue, and upward pressures on public spending keep the budget in deficit. The rigidity of the labor market and lingering corruption continue to hold back overall economic freedom...

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★ <The US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014>, released at June 26, 2015

Corruption and Lack of Transparency in GovernmentShare/ Some legal scholars and politicians alleged that the Ministry of Justice was not sufficiently independent, claiming that ministry authorities conducted politically motivated investigations of politicians. authorities indicted 687 officials, including 69 high-ranking officials, on corruption charges during the year. There were no reports of impunity.

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★ PERC’s 2015 Report on Corruption in Asia, Asian Intelligence Reports Index 4-1-2015 http://www.asiarisk.com/subscribe/exsum1.pdf

corruption within Taiwan remains a very sensitive issue that could be politicized more the closer the time comes to the next elections. The new mayor of Taipei, a political independent, has been very popular because of his initiatives to reduce the opportuntiies for corruption at the municipal level. He is focusing on shortcomings that both major political parties have tended to gloss over, and this could cause these issues to get a lot more attention in the future, especially if he makes changes that produce positive results ?or are seen to do so.

Ranking and scores in Asia:

Singapore 1.33, Japan 1.55, Australia 2.61, Hong Kong 3.17, Macao 4.58, USA 4.59, Malaysia 4.96, Taiwan 5.00

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★ <Heritage Foundation> & <WallStreet Journal>, Jan. 29, 2014

2015 Index of Economic Freedom - Taiwan overall score 75.1, a relatively high level of perceived corruption and a rigid labor market still restrain Taiwan’s overall economic freedom.
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★ <The US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013>, released at Feb. 27, 2014

(1) 573 Taiwanese officials — including 39 “high-ranking” officials — were indicted on corruption charges. Among those indicted include former Executive Yuan Secretary-General Lin Yi-shih (林益世).

(2) Judiciary : the judicial system suffered from corruption, and that the impartiality of judges and prosecutors involved in high-profile and politically sensitive cases had been questioned.

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★ <Transparency International>, 12.2.2014

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2014: Taiwan got score 61 (same as previous years, 2014, 2013, 2012).

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★ <Heritage Foundation> & <WallStreet Journal>, Jan. 15, 2014
        Index of Economic Freedom, 2014
   1. Taiwan's declined in the following index :
         Freedom From Corruption ( 59.7 declined); Business Freedom (93.9);
         Monetary Freedom(81.7);Labor Freedom(53.1);Government Spending(84.7);Fiscal Freedom(80.3)
   2. Taiwan has significant improvements in financial freedom and investment freedom outweighing small declines
         in six of the 10 economic freedoms including freedom from corruption...

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★ PERC’s 2014 Report on Corruption in Asia, Asian Intelligence Reports Index
Mar. 19, 2014 by POLITICAL & ECONOMIC RISK CONSULTANCY LTD (HK based)

   1. Taiwan's corruption index declined
        Asia's ranking status:
        1 Singapore (score 1.6), 2 Japan(2.08) , 3 Australia(2.55) , 4 Hong Kong(2.95),
        5 USA(3.50) , 6 Macau(3.65) , 7 Malaysia(5.25), 8 TW(5.31), 9 S. Korea (7.05), 10 Chn(7.10)

http://www.asiarisk.com/subscribe/exsum1.pdf

2. High-position officials including KMT and DPP both in serious corruption status. Taiwan's judiciary system failed to strike systematic corruption, e.g., Tai-chung High Court judge Hu (胡景彬) taking bribery.
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★ United Daily News (11-4-2015) / 安永 2015-EY-asia-pacific-fraud-survey

2015's EY-asia-pacific-fraud-survey found 80% Taiwanese think corruption and bribery are widely-spread in Taiwan, the percentage (80%) is higher than the average number (60%) of Asia & Pacific area.
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★ <Transparency International>, Germany, July 9, 2013

The finding of the 2013 Global Corruption Barometer (GCB), ( the Gallup Poll to interview 114,000 people in 107 countries all over the world): 36% of people (surveyed in TW) who had used any of eight government services in the past year had paid a bribe (the number is higher than global average). <NOWnews> , (7.10.2013)– Taiwan is the 18th worst corruption country in 95 countries surveyed. (重度貪污國家第18名) <Apple Daily> (7.11.2013): Apple daily's survey found 75.07% Taiwanese people think corruption in Taiwan is actually worse than GCB's report.

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(1)	◆ Percentage(%) of respondents who felt these institutions were corrupt/extremely corrupt in this country/territory 75% of respondents in Taiwan who felt that parliament/legislature( the Legislative Yuan) were corrupt/extremely corrupt ; 74% political parties; 62% media; 57% judiciary; 56% police; 56% military; 56% public officials and servants; 47% medical and health services; 45% educational systems; 44% business; 33% religious bodies; 31% NGOs( non-governmental organizations)
(2)	◆To what extent do you think corruption is a problem in the public sector in this country/territory? 7%: not really a problem; 27%: a slight problem; 35%: it's a problem; 31%: serious problem
(3)	◆ Have you or anyone in your household paid a bribe to one of these 8 services in the last 12 months? 35% judiciary; 21% medical and health services; 16% educational systems; 16% police; 15% tax revenue; 15% registry & permit services; 17% utility; 11% land service;
(4)	◆over the past 2 years how has the level of corruption in the country/territory changed?23% decrease a lot; 48% decrease a little; 17% stayed the same; 9% increase a little; 3% increase a lot
(5)	◆How effect your government actions are in the fight against corruption? very ineffective: 14%; ineffective: 32%, etc
(6)	◆ Institutions perceived by respondents to be among the most affected by corruption?political party: Taiwan is one among 51 countries of 107 perceived political party to be among the institutions most affected by corruption. parliament & legislature: Taiwan is one among 7 countries of 107 perceived parliament & legislature to be among the institutions most affected by corruption.
(7)	◆To what extent do you agree that ordinary people can make a difference in the fight against corruption? 51% agree; 28% disagree; 8% strong disagree; 13% strong agree
	ps: 2013 Corruption Perception index TW rank 36 score 61 same as that in 2012 (Singapore 5, HK 15, Japan 18)

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★ USA Country Reports on Human Rights practices, April 19, 2013

One of the principal human rights problems reported in Taiwan 2012 were judicial corruption. “Although the authorities made efforts to eliminate corruption and diminish political influence in the judiciary, some residual problems remained,” the report said.
The report also said that political commentators and academics had publicly questioned the impartiality of judges and prosecutors involved in high-profile and politically sensitive cases.

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★ <Transparency International>, Germany, Dec. 5, 2012

(CNA) Taiwan was ranked 37th among 176 nations and regions in an annual global index on the perception of corruption in the public sector, dropping five spots from last year, In 2011, Taiwan was ranked 32nd among 183 nations and territories. China remained in 80th place with a score of 39 - which means Failure.
(Reuters) In Transparency International's 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index, Denmark, Finland and New Zealand tied for first place out of 176 countries - meaning they were perceived to have the lowest levels of state sector corruption. Sweden was fourth with Singapore ranked as 5th.
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★ USA Country Reports on Human Rights practices, May 24, 2012

it highlighted the problem of corruption in Taiwan, saying more than 400 officials were indicted on corruption charges in the past year, including 54 high-ranking officials.

In addition, it said the judicial system in Taiwan “suffered from some corruption.”

The impartiality of judges and prosecutors involved in high-profile and politically sensitive cases was being questioned by some political commentators and academics, the report said.

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★ Amnesty International, London, UK, annual report The State of the World's Human Rights 2012, May 24, 2012

The authorities did little to protect the housing rights of farmers across the island, at times colluding in their eviction. Migrant workers were unable to freely change employer. Domestic migrant workers and care-givers were often forced to work without adequate rest. The media exposed abuse and exploitation of migrant workers by government officials and celebrities.
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★ <Transparency International>, Germany, Nov. 2, 2011

◎ Taiwan ranked (19th) in the lower half of TI's 2011 “Bribe Payers" index, finishing 19th among the 28 countries surveyed
◎ Taiwan fell from 14th place in the index released in 2008, when 22 countries were scrutinized.
◎ The Berlin-based organization asked 3,016 business executives in 30 selected countries how often companies in the countries polled engaged in bribery.
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★ < Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd. (PERC) > Mar. 21, 2012

According to PERC, Taiwan's corruption grade (5.45) is behind Asia&Pacific No.1 Singapore (0.67)、No. 2 Australia(1.28)、No. 3 Japan(1.90)、No. 4 USA(2.59) 、Hong Kong(2.64)、Macau(2.85), Taiwan (5.45) ranked No. 7(same as 2011), then No.8 is Malaysia(5.59)、No.9 Thailand(6.57)、 No.10 Lau柬埔寨(6.83)、No.11 S. Korea(6.90) 、No. 12 China(7.00). The grade 10 is worst, 0 is best.

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★ <Apple Daily News>, Taiwan, Dec. 5, 2012
Acording to "2012 Taiwanese Human Rights index survey" (conducted by 中華人權協會), 17.9% Taiwanese think Taiwan's overall human rights in progress, 36% think it is in retreat, 25.8% Taiwanese think Taiwan's political human rights in retreat, 17.1% think it is in progress, 38.4% Taiwanese think Taiwan's judiciary human rights in retreat, 13.1% think it is in progress.
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★ <Taiwan News>, Dec. 5, 2012 according to "2012 Taiwan Human Rights Indicator Survey", about 53.5 percent of the respondents gave the protection of judicial human rights a negative rating, compared with 21.4 percent who rated it positively.

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★ <Taipei Times>, Taiwan, Dec. 8, 2012

Public feels human rights deteriorating

DISSATISFACTION: Official corruption, the government’s inability to fill people’s needs and media independence were top public concerns, according to a survey of public opinion by the government-affiliated Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (conducted by Shih Hsin University),...
Corruption was the target of the greatest public dissatisfaction, scoring 1.9 points. It was followed by the government’s ability to respond to people’s needs, which garnered 2 points, and external interference in judicial rulings, at 2.1 points.

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★ <Transparency International>, Germany, Dec. 1, 2011

Taiwan ranked 32 on the corruption perception index ranking released by Transparency International, but still lagged behind some of its more economically advanced neighbors, such as Japan and Singapore.

Taiwan received a grade of 6.1 [on a scale of one to 10] on the corruption perception index ( Asia's ranks : New Zealand 9.5, Singapore 9.2 , Hong Kong 8.2, Japan 8.0).

To improve Taiwan's rank, the government must launch a long-term education campaign to raise citizen awareness of the values of clean politics and governance, besides, the government and the legislature must be more cautious in handling issues related to government officials' special allowance funds, etc.

ps: Editorial <Apple daily news> : ... but, dirt still hide in local engineering cases ... very hard to catch...

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★ USA Country Reports on Human Rights practices, April 8, 2011

There were still problems with corruption ( police corruption's limited but still a problem )
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★ Amnesty International, London, UK, annual report The State of the World's Human Rights 2011, May 13, 2011

Taiwan was criticized over issues to do with the death penalty, freedom of expression, justice ( also voiced concerns over the slow progress to enact a judges' act to address corruption scandals involving high court judges and over the working conditions of migrant workers.) and migrants' rights.
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★ <The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal>, USA, Jan. 12, 2011

Taiwan's "Freedom from Corruption" scores 56 ( which is worst since 2007), Taiwan's economic freedom score is 70.8, ranked 7th in the Asia–Pacific region.

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score 5.9

score 5.5

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Taiwan's corruption index by year, Transparency International, Germany

pic. above: Taiwan's human rights - corruption records are better in 2001, 2005, 2006 than records recently.
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★ <Transparency International>, Germany, Dec. 10, 2010

Taiwan's corruption sorting list: worst ― Police: 3.9, Parliament/legislation: 3.8, Public officials/civil servants :3.8, Political parties : 3.5, military: 3.4, judiciary3.3 , Media , Education systems : 3.2

   ps: Taiwan's news media in Dec. 10, 2010
       <Liberty Times> seems to report all fields, but skip Public officials/civil servants, military and education systems；
      <United Daily News> only reported the worst field ― police；
      <China times> reported worst 4 fields.

World Corruption Index: Singapore No.1, Australia No.8 (score 8.7), HK No.13 (8.4), Japan No. 17 (7.8), Qatar No.19 (7.7), US No.22 (7.1), Taiwan No.33 (5.8)

Taiwanese people think in the past 3 years Taiwan's corruption: stayed the same 35%, increased 42%, decreased 23%

ps: <the Liberty Times>: Increased & Stayed the same about 77% ...... Taiwan's corruption is still serious ...

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★ <The Economist> UK, July 22, 2010

The article under the theme of （Corruption in Taiwan--Confirming the worst suspicions） reported :

Three high-court judges and a prosecutor had been detained amid allegations that they took bribes to fix the outcome of a high-profile case, has brought public outrage to boiling point.

The case is Taiwan’s biggest judicial-corruption scandal in over a decade.

“The significance of this case is that it makes all the rumours a reality,”

The country's president, announced the formation of a new commission to battle corruption and vote-buying.

Such talk is ... drawing comparisons to Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption. But, unlike those bodies, the Taiwanese commission will not report directly to the president, but only to the justice ministry, where tangled bureaucracy and civil servants who are deferential to their political bosses could limit action.

In any case, complains the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and various experts, such a commission will be toothless as long as it is nearly impossible to sack bad judges and prosecutors. An act calling for such a mechanism has long been stalled in parliament.

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★ <USA Country Reports on Human Rights practices> March 11, 2010 www.state.gov

One out of 4 major Taiwan's human rights problems : Taiwan's corruption by officials

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★ <The Economist> UK, Jan 22nd 2009 "Political corruption in Taiwan"

Taiwan expert at Monash University in Australia, points out that recent corruption investigations have mainly been aimed at opposition politicians; prosecutors seem far less interested in investigating KMT (Taiwan's 'Chinese Nationalist Party' ) figures.

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★ < Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd. (PERC) >

2009 : The corruption of Taiwan is more serious than that of China.

March 2010 :

Taiwan's corruption grade (6.28) is behind Asia&Pacific No.1 Singapore(1.42)、No.2 Australia(2.28)、 No.3 Hong Kong (2.67)、No.4 USA(3.42)、No.5 Japan(3.49)、No.6 Macau or Macao (4.96)、No.7 South Korea(5.98) , China's grade 6.52

Inside Taiwan, national political leader's grade 8.07, metro & local political leader 7.53, central officials 5.4, local officials 4.49 (translation from Chinese newspaper)

March 22, 2011 :

　
Taiwan's corruption index : among Asian & Pacific countries, Taiwan is behind Singapore (No.1), HK, Australia, Japan, USA, Macau (Macao)

POLITICAL & ECONOMIC RISK CONSULTANCY LTD (HK based), March 22, 2011 (1) Founding that : most serious corruption lies in Taiwan's top-position leaders and government's metro./city reconstruction units.
(2) Taiwan's reform against corruption remains no good.
reported by Taiwan's Apple Daily, Mar. 23, 2011

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★ <New York Times> USA

July 27, 2009

Beijing officials have viewed Taiwan as a renegade province ever since the Nationalists retreated to the island upon losing China's civil war to the Communists in 1949. The reunification of mainland China and Taiwan has long been the mainland's top goal in relations with the United States, Taiwan's closest ally. ......

But his party (KMT) has a history of corruption and thuggery so ingrained that when Mr. Ma tried to investigate illegal deals while justice minister in the mid-1990s, he quickly lost his job and temporarily had to leave politics......
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★ <Transparency Org. Taiwan > Dec 9, '05

Taiwan Corruption Index :
Parliament 78%, political parties 69%, Custom 61%, Military 48%, Police 45%, Legislative 43%, Power & Water 41%, Taxes 35%, Medical 32%, Education 25%, Media 19%, Religion 16%, etc (Taiwan corruption is lousy, Gallup 2006, Transparency Org. 2007 )

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No.1 on Google, test on Jan. 11, 2015, Dec. 15, 2013, Dec. 4, 2012, Jan. 11, 2012, Feb. 14, 2011, Sept. 14 & Nov. 22, '10

No.1 in google, test on Jan. 11, 2015, Sept. 14, 2010, East time

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★ <Apple Daily News >, Taiwan

◎ Editorial ："Hope 期待廉政署公正嚴厲" , July 19, 2011

... Anti-corruption Commission's ranking is comparatively too low, ... most likely will become a tool for political struggles, ... particularly during important political election campaign period ... without a reform/'revolution', we can not root out thousands years' Chinese corruption culture ...... first of all the new commission will investigate the police and judiciary......
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◎ Comparison with Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption. July 30, 2010（趙少康）

The Last British leader of Hong Kong's <Independent Commission Against Corruption> (before 1997) stated HK's experience:

(1) To establish public confidence ― first of all, take a hard-line to strike biggest target, i.e., select the leader of police in HK (UK).

(2) 24 hrs hot-lines, accept anonymous denouncements as well.

(3) To enlighten people with anti-bribery education.

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◎ " new commission looks pretty, but useless" July 21, 2010

According to successful experiences of HK as well as Singapore, New Commission will functions well under 4 conditions as below :

(1) New commission is affiliated to Taiwan's president, ....

(2) New commission employs new-blood members ...

(3) High conviction rate ...

(4) New commission can take the initiative in judicially investigation officials' origin of the surplus money, as long as their property are more than normal.

The New Commission will leads to chaos or will be useless, so, just forget about it, we don't believe this solution.

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◎ President doesn't quite know Taiwan's corruption July 17, 2010

The reasons Taiwan had not really held a large anti-corruption campaign include :

(1) political factor: anti-corruption may affects political elections, or just set some examples, all depends ...

(2) benefit factor: The arrestee may leaks out many other officials implicated in the case, particularly in the case a group of officials involved are accomplices (joint offenders).

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◎ Taiwan's untruly reform July 22, 2010

Anti-corruption campaign is working only on the condition of :

1. New commission is affiliated to Taiwan's president, must be in high place.

2. independently.

3 members are outsiders of old bureaucratic system.

4. can check the origin of the surplus income.

New commission has none of the above.
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◎ One more fat rat July 21, 2010

a cute picture : Taiwan's police rides bike to collect bribery money , The Investigation Bureau drives car to collect money, high-court judges collect money by earth-movers, ... as for the New Commission, will drive a container truck to collect money ...

Moreover, maybe no one dares to sneer New Commission's weirdo things in the coming future ...

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★ < the China times >

◎ Aug. 26, 2010

We sincerely hope Taiwan's politicians no longer take legislation as tools or even sacrifice/compromise legislation for political struggle/conflict.

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◎ Taiwan's fighting against corruption ... far behind Taiwanese people's expectation. August 11, 2010

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◎ Key-point is resolution, not one more commission July 30, 2010

In the past 20 years, Legislative Yuan ( the national legislature ) etc worried New Commission will be a big trouble for them, scholars/experts questioned New Commission is just a duplicated unit, which will be used for political struggle/conflict or not working at all.

... officials give covers to officials each other ...... money is the greatest value of them ...

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◎ We give you a <New commission>, you give us judicial reform July 30, 2010 【劉孔中】

Setting up a new Commission is just the 1st step, it must follows with a judicial reform, this is almost a consensus nationwide.

While DPP government days, KMT (Chinese Nationalist Party of Taiwan) was against setting up a <new commission>, now it's KMT time, KMT changes their mind and plans to set up <new commission> .......

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◎ new Commission, a "tool", or just a false reform July 21, 2010

President has been announcing several times Taiwan urgently needs a reform bill ― investigation into officials' foggy income/property, but Legislative Yuan has not passed it till now.

The key to succeed the anti-corruption campaign is (1) passing a reform bill (2) making close investigations (3) a good watchdog mechanism

Taiwan government needs downsizing, but now Taiwan is planning to create a new commission ... it's contradictory ....

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◎ a clean HK (UK), but not any more July 25, 2010

Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption is no longer working excellent since HK's hand over to communist China.

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★ < The United Daily News >, Taiwan

◎ the key-point is short of public confidence July 21, 2010

The Investigation Bureau has been under political control/influence for a long time.

The leader of Investigation Bureau or prosecutors is not unbiased ( not admirable ) ... how are Taiwanese confident on or give credence to them ?

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◎ Eager for a clean government July 20, 2010

Singapore people respect their government, but Taiwanese have been criticizing Taiwan's government for a long time.

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◎ Aug 1 , 2010
We may need jury system (of the US., UK, France).

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◎ July 9 , 2009
Officials taking money is not guilty, what is Legislative/judicial system trying to say ??

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★ < the Liberty Times >, Taiwan

Aug. 26, 2010
◎ Legislative/judicial reform must start from the government leaders, first of all, move political dirty hands away from legislative circles ....

July, 2010
◎ Many confessions or pleading guilty are done by tricks or other black-heart measures ... we hope no more victims in the future.

◎ If Taiwan government really wants a clean country this time, they should investigate into CTV etc cases (Chinese namely,中廣、中影、中視等「三中」案) .

◎ Legislative Yuan (the national legislature) must respects and supports budgets for the New Commission.

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★ < Taiwan News > July 30, 2010 ( Johnson Chen )

It's a cheap-copy of Hong Kong's <Independent Commission Against Corruption>.

Three similar-function "commissions" will struggle, confrontation and conflict each other.

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★ Taiwan's Corruption lies in major fields : Parliament 78%, political parties 69%, Custom 61%, Military 48%, Police 45%, Legislative 43%, Power & Water 41%, Taxes 35%, Medical 32%, Education 25%, Media 19%, Religion 16%, etc (Corruption index by Transparency Org. Taiwan couple years ago)

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home brief Taiwan TW tour FB personality food medical restaurants night markets women speech erotic watching you judiciary police corruption foreign labor prosecutors soft power human rights death penalty happiness housing avia image creativity

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Taiwan corruption

Google No.1 ranking "Taiwan corruption" (Chinese language) , Feb. 14, 2011, and Aug. 8, 2010

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World Media viewpoints on
Former President of Taiwan Goes on Trial for Corruption

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★ <Washington Post>, <Newsweek> USA

Democracy and Dirty Money in Taiwan August 18, 2008

You have to love what's happening in Taiwan. Yeah, ..... the former President of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian, has just been banned from leaving the island and the Swiss are investigating a bank account that contains $20 million.

Chen, the first opposition candidate to become president of Taiwan, came into office promising to clean up what is known on that island as the culture of "hei qian" or dirty money. Hmmm.

...... The Taiwan story is remarkable, however, not just because it involves the fall of failed president but because it is happening at all. It underscores the fact that Taiwan's democracy, while still plagued by corruption, is trying to keep it house clean. As such it's good news for Taiwan and, who knows, perhaps good news for the many Chinese on mainland China who look to Taiwan and its political system with some hope and maybe a little admiration. Could this happen in China, too?
(John Pomfret )

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★ <New York Times> USA

Former President of Taiwan Is Detained in a Corruption Inquiry November 11, 2008

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The former president paused briefly before television cameras, raised his arms and defiantly shouted, “Long live Taiwan!” and “Political persecution!”

Mr. Chen, one of Taiwan’s most controversial political figures, ...

Mr. Chen has suggested that prosecutors are focusing on him to win favor from Beijing..... (By DAVID BARBOZA)

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★ <New York Times> USA

Taiwan’s Former President Goes on Trial for Corruption March 26, 2009

But Mr. Chen .... has maintained the charges are a plot by Taiwan’s current president, Ma Ying-jeou, to win favor with China’s government.
...“In order to win favors and protection from Beijing, the KMT”......

Although the evidence against Mr. Chen is strong, some analysts say the government’s handling of the case has been less than deft. Prosecutors were criticized after they participated in a skit before Justice Ministry officials that clearly mocked Mr. Chen. Mr. Chen has won sympathy by claiming that his detention without bail — and, at first, without any contact with his family — has been unjustly harsh.

“The prosecutors have been going a bit wild, and how this trial is conducted will be critical,”...... “This is an important landmark in Taiwan’s whole process of democratization.” ( By MICHAEL WINES )

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★ < The Times> UK

Former president of Taiwan Chen Shui-bian sentenced to life September 12, 2009

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★ <New York Times> USA Sept. 11, 2009

...... Mr. Chen blasted the proceedings as a "tool for political suppression and persecution" by his successor......

Mr. Chen was the first politician outside the Kuomintang to become president of Taiwan, after he helped lead a pro-democracy movement that opposed martial law and other strict measures put in place by the Kuomintang. Martial law was not lifted until 1987, and the island's first multi-party elections held in 1996. Mr. Chen had strongly campaigned against the corruption that many Taiwanese saw as widespread within the Kuomintang, which retreated to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war to the Communists in 1949.

(Michael Wines)

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★ <TIME> USA, 2009

Chen (former president of ROC Taiwan) insists his case is one of political persecutions by the new Kuomintang administration, which has been forging closer ties with China since coming into power ......

In some ways, Chen's trial is a positive sign that the justice system is alive ...

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★ <BBC> UK

Taiwan court rejects Chen Shui-bian corruption appeal 11 June 2010

... He denies the charges and has said he is being punished by the pro-Beijing government for his independence views ...

His supporters say the current Taiwanese government - which favours closer relations with China - is persecuting the former president for upsetting Beijing by pushing for formal independence while he was in office.

... The government has insisted Chen's case is being dealt with according to the law, says our correspondent.

Taiwan has been ruled separately from China since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, ...... But Beijing sees the island as a breakaway province which should be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

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★ <New York Times> USA

Corruption Scandal at Top Tests Taiwan's Democracy November 25, 2006

At times, Taiwanese politics is a blend of opera and blood sport, and this is one of those times. Scandal and outrage, lying and humiliation -- all of it messy and delivered in a loud, public fashion -- are consuming political life here, as a virtual death watch has settled over the second term of President Chen Shui-bian.

''In 10 years, when we look back, this could be a turning point for Taiwan's democracy to become mature,'' ...... ''Right now, it is a disgrace, and it is quite humiliating. But once we get past this, I think Taiwan's politics will get a lot cleaner.''

Politically, Taiwan's symbolic power has always been as a democratic counterpoint to China. But democracy in Taiwan remains a work in progress that has been repeatedly challenged during Mr. Chen's tenure. The pivotal recent event occurred Nov. 3 when a prosecutor in Taipei, the capital, indicted the first lady and also announced that Mr. Chen, immune from prosecution as president, could face charges after he left office. For a judicial branch regarded as a weak constitutional pillar, it was a historic moment.

''This is very hard evidence that at last we have a fair and independent-minded judicial branch,'' ...... ''The principle of separation of power has taken root in Taiwan.''

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★ <The China Post> Taiwan

Problem with corruption is scarring Taiwan's democracy August 9, 2010

A former president jailed for graft, a retired head of military police indicted for embezzlement, three top judges accused of taking bribes — the list goes on. Taiwan has a problem with corruption.

"Social values are distorted to the extent that being clean has come to count as a plus for a civil servant rather than a basic requirement," said George Tsai, a political scientist at Chinese Culture University in Taipei.

“It takes time to eradicate corruption but people's patience is limited and they are demanding quick results.

“Corruption in Taiwan is at a critical junction and the government and people have to do more,”

“Otherwise, politically how can Taiwan say to the world that its democracy should be followed by others, especially China,” he said.

“Has Taiwan democracy solved the corruption problem? No, and Chen Shui-bian is the best proof of that,”....

“But if we look at Singapore and Hong Kong, they prove that even without western-style democracy Asian regimes can establish good governance.”
(By Peter Harmsen, AFP)

PS: All above are abstractions from original articles in int'l media.
For precise meanings pls refer to Chinese version article.

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Corruption in Taiwan ★ this site's world No.1 in 2020~23, 2017~19 , 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010~12 ★ Top rankings since 1998 ★

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◆To what extent do you think corruption is a problem in the public sector in this country/territory? 7%: not really a problem; 27%: a slight problem; 35%: it's a problem; 31%: serious problem

Public feels human rights deteriorating

◎ One more fat rat July 21, 2010

◎ ★ <Washington Post>, <Newsweek> USA

Democracy and Dirty Money in Taiwan August 18, 2008

Former President of Taiwan Is Detained in a Corruption Inquiry November 11, 2008

Taiwan’s Former President Goes on Trial for Corruption March 26, 2009

Former president of Taiwan Chen Shui-bian sentenced to life September 12, 2009

Taiwan court rejects Chen Shui-bian corruption appeal 11 June 2010

Corruption Scandal at Top Tests Taiwan's Democracy November 25, 2006

◆To what extent do you think corruption is a problem in the public sector in this country/territory?
7%: not really a problem; 27%: a slight problem; 35%: it's a problem; 31%: serious problem

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★ <Washington Post>, <Newsweek> USA