Taipei Times
Date: Mar 09, 2016
By: Sean Lin / Staff reporter

Amid the outrage triggered by the military police’s alleged illegal search of civilian property and confiscation of White Terror era documents, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) urged the public not to overreact, saying that the military should not be crucified over the incident.

“In my opinion, the military is the nation’s lifeline. If there has been a mistake, just correct it. There is no need to ‘decimate’ the military. It would not be in the nation’s interests if the military collapsed,” Ko said when asked for his opinion on the issue.

“I guess that nobody would say [the search] was entirely appropriate. [The Ministry of National Defense] should just correct what needs to be corrected. Do not kick up a major fuss. I am strongly against this kind of social atmosphere,” he said.

The remarks quickly triggered an outpouring of criticism among the capital’s residents.

“Does he hear himself when he talks?” Taipei resident Lin Ming-ching (林明慶) said.

“The point is the abuse of power. If it had been ordinary troops, no one would have cared,” Lin said.     [FULL  STORY]