The Futile Depletion of Our Social Resources Should End Now

The Futile Depletion of Our Social Resources Should End Now

Ma Ying-jeou Acquittal Statement
August 14, 2007

It was exactly half a year to the day yesterday from the day Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted me on suspected corruption charges – last January 13. Reflecting on these past six months, although it has been extremely difficult, I always remained firm in the belief of my own innocence and I fully expected the court to acquit me. After ten hearings in court, I, along with countless members of the public who believe in honesty and integrity, finally heard the voice of justice from the court.

This case not only involved the innocence of tens of thousand of incumbent and retired civil servants nationwide, but also related to the design of the discretionary fund (particularly the half requiring only a signed receipt), historical development, administrative custom, and subjective knowledge of users and staff. It has had a great impact. Today, the court’s decision has clarified objectively the nature of the discretionary fund, and also is a significant milestone in terms of core values and division of judicial and administrative powers.

The individual prosecutor, in this case, did some things that were disputable and has drawn attention from all circles in society. One thing that we cannot ignore is that anyone might suffer the same unfair treatment as I did. Therefore, we have to improve our legal system to prevent such situations from happening again, especially the problem of human rights protection as in my case. For instance, right at the beginning, the prosecutor subpoenaed me as a witness and then as a defendant. In addition, the way statements are made during inquiry sessions and their admissibility as evidence, the evidential threshold for indictment, random re-interpretations of evidence and the adding of additional evidence and statutory provisions in the final court hearing; all these flaws should be pondered and reviewed and if necessary amended in law.

I still deeply believe that the law is the conscience of our society, which should not be distorted or manipulated. The interpretation and acknowledgment of the rules and law should be based on fact and evidence, and should not deviate from social recognition and behavior. This case and other similar cases under investigation have wasted huge social and legal resources. I believe that the prosecution, which serves as the executor of social conscience, should not keep wasting those resources.

I, with all my heart, hope this will mark the end of the futile depletion of our social recourses.

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