Rigging the system to save its lawmakers' seats. Shameless.
But then, one expects little better from a dictatorial Leninist party steeped in the undemocratic habits of 38 years of martial law:
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday said that a controversial proposal to increase the documents required by petitioners during recalls of elected representatives is intended to “reduce possible abuses in the process.”
[…]
The party’s move has raised doubts, as it comes during a public campaign for recalling legislators that was launched after the cross-strait service trade act row. Many of the officials under fire are KMT members.
…the KMT-proposed amendment…would require petitioners to provide photocopies of identity cards and affidavits — in addition to the existing requirements for name, address and national identification number… [emphasis added]
What, no notorized copies of the petitioners' last proctological exam?
Goodbye, predictable Rule of Law. Welcome, capricious Rule of Man.
Congratulations, KMT. You have officially turned Taiwan into a legal laughingstock.
(The majesty of Taiwanese law. Image from Foreign Policy)
UPDATE (May 13/2014): The Taipei Times points out something that I've considered of late:
When activists take to the streets [and engage in civil disobedience]…the government and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers condemn such acts, urging the dissidents to express their opinions within the democratic system in a lawful way.
However, when activists want to play by the rules [by utilizing Taiwan's electoral recall laws], KMT legislators seem to suddenly decide that the law is not so sacred after all and seek to change the rules.
[…]
“If the people cannot vent their anger within the system, they will certainly start their resistance outside of the system,” [attorney and rights activist Huang Di-ying (黃帝穎)] said.
i-1