Ma Ying-jeou

"I voted for [President] Ma Ying-jeou [馬英九] and was a big supporter, but that doesn't mean that I should pretend that I don't see when he makes mistakes, because I know what's wrong and what's right," Tang Kao said. "Ma should renegotiate the beef agreement because US beef threatens the health of Taiwanese. "

Read more: Thousands protest US beef imports | In this article: US, Tsai Ing-wen, Taipei, Department of Health, Democratic Progressive Party, and Reuters

"We cannot pass a bill simply because President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) says so and has set a deadline," he said.

Read more: Legislators slam review of KMT's civil servants bill | In this article: Executive Yuan, Ker Chien-ming, and Democratic Progressive Party

"It doesn't make any sense that someone who makes a mistake isn't punished, but is instead promoted," DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) told a press conference at the Legislative Yuan yesterday. "Apparently, if you have connections, you won't have any trouble," she said, referring to the fact that Shen was President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) high school classmate. DPP Legislator Huang Wei-cher (黃偉哲) said that Shen had ­jeopardized the "clean political standards"

Read more: MOFA appointee raises DPP hackles | In this article: Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan, EU, and Allegation

"The KMT and President Ma Ying-jeou obviously thought that if they don't put him away, he'll raise trouble for cross-strait relations and for domestic affairs; he still has a lot of supporters," said Shane Lee, a political science professor from Chang Jung Christian University.

Read more: Taiwan divided | In this article: Chen Shui-bian, Taiwan, Taipei, Democracy, Political science, Beijing, and China

"Chen's case will serve as a warning for Ma and future leaders so that they may refrain from walking in his footsteps," he said. "At the same time many question whether Chen is being punished because of a political clash between him and the current administration."

Read more: Former president, wife put in jail for life | In this article: Chen Shui-bian, Taiwan, Nationalist, Taipei, Democracy, Soochow University, Wu Shu-chen, and Chiang Kai-shek

Ma Ying-jeou was initially quoted as saying that "t is still unknown who is responsible for the bloodshed in Tibet, the Chinese government or the Tibetans."

Read more: Republic of China presidential election, 2008 | In this article: Taiwan, Frank Hsieh, Chen Shui-bian, Wang Jin-pyng, People's Republic of China, Chuang Kuo-jung, and Republic of China

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said earlier this month in a speech at a memorial service for the Morakot victims that "China's contributions have so far amounted to donations that exceed NT$5 billion, the single largest donation [received] from overseas. "

Read more: It will take time to receive Chinese donations: MAC | In this article: MAC, China, Taiwan, Typhoon Morakot, and Taiwan Strait

President Ma Ying-jeou said the Dalai Lama could "pray for the souls of the deceased and seek blessings for the survivors of the typhoon".

Read more: Taiwan leader clears Dalai Lama visit | In this article: Dalai Lama, Taiwan, Beijing, Dharamsala, Tibet, Typhoon Morakot, Revenue, and Democratic Progressive Party

"If President Ma Ying-jeou thought he might be treated presidentially on Wednesday as he toured a center for survivors of last weekend's typhoon, he was mistaken," the New York Times wrote in the opening paragraph of a story titled "Taiwan president is target of anger after typhoon," published on Aug. 12. "The moment he stepped onto a soccer field that had been doubling as a landing pad for rescue helicopters, Mr Ma was besieged by angry villagers who accused his administration of moving too slowly to help those still trapped in the mountains,"

Read more: MORAKOT: THE AFTERMATH: Foreign-media focus not welcome news for Ma | In this article: Taiwan, Typhoon Morakot, Steve Chao, CNN, Tibet, Respondent, Le Monde, and Handelsblatt

"Therefore, the president said he is monitoring the situation with a heavy heart," the statement said.

Read more: Harsh weather hampers Taiwan rescues | In this article: Taiwan, Kaohsiung, and Typhoon Morakot