Taiwan opposition party and its people have guts

[Leepotism]

Tens of thousands rally against Ma in Taiwan

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TAIPEI: Tens of thousands of slogan-chanting Taiwanese took to Taipei's streets Sunday to protest at the government's economic record in one of the biggest rallies organised by the main opposition in recent years.

The march, which stretched for miles, began after Su Tseng-chang, chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, led the crowd in shouting: "People are furious at Ma".

Other slogans and banners also took aim at President Ma Ying-jeou from the China-friendly Kuomintang party, who was elected in 2008.

"Down with Ma Ying-jeou!" "Cabinet reshuffle!" the protesters chanted during the peaceful march.

The demonstrators were cordoned off by barbed wire and riot police after marching through the city centre and assembling in the square in front of the presidential office.

The opposition party claimed the turnout totalled 150,000. No police estimate was immediately available.

The trade-dependent economy contracted in the second quarter of 2012 for the first time in nearly three years, while its exports shrank for six months in a row until swinging back into positive territory in September.

The government has forecast growth of 1.13 percent for the whole of last year.

The China-sceptical opposition party also objects to controversial plans for expanded investment in local media by Taiwanese billionaire Tsai Eng-meng, who has substantial business interests in China.

Next Media, controlled by Hong Kong's vocal China critic Jimmy Lai, in November signed agreements with various buyers including Tsai to sell the Taiwan editions of Apple Daily and Next magazine, as well as Taiwan Sharp Daily and Next TV.

Concerns have been raised that the deals could create a pro-China media monopoly.

Such issues are still sensitive in Taiwan more than six decades after it split from China following a civil war. Beijing views the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, through force if necessary.

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[Leepotism]

Malaysia opposition and its people have guts too

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian opposition supporters gathered by the thousands in the capital on Saturday to call for the ouster of the country's long-ruling government in elections due within months.

Followers of the three-party alliance led by opposition firebrand Anwar Ibrahim streamed through the capital Kuala Lumpur to converge on an iconic stadium where the current ruling bloc declared independence in 1957.

"Our government is so corrupt. The government should listen to us. They need to reform. For more than 50 years they have ruled Malaysia," said rally participant Azlan Abu Bakar, 29, who travelled from the eastern state of Terengganu for the gathering.

Access to the venue was granted by authorities this week, and as the crowds gathered, there was no hint of the violence that marred the country's last major anti-government rally in April.

That rally, which demanded reform of an election system that the opposition and other critics say has a pro-government bias, drew tens of thousands to the streets but degenerated into clashes between demonstrators and police.

Authorities were criticised for a response widely seen as heavy-handed.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who heads the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition, must set elections for no later than late June, but speculation of earlier polls is rife.

The ruling coalition has controlled Malaysia since independence from Britain but political observers say it faces its stiffest test yet in the coming polls after a poor showing in 2008.

Najib's ethnic Malay-dominated ruling bloc faces an alliance comprising Anwar's multi-ethnic party, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party and a third party dominated by ethnic Chinese.

Muslim Malays make up more 60 percent of Malaysia's 28 million people.

The government derides the opposition as a marriage of convenience incapable of governing, saying Malaysia needs Barisan Nasional's steady hand. It also touts efforts by Najib to spark the economy and reform oppressive laws.

The opposition, however, accuses the government of massive corruption and thuggish rule, and says the country's economy is losing a competitive edge against regional rivals enjoyed in past decades.

Opposition organisers have said the gathering at the 30,000-seat stadium will focus on continued widespread criticism of the electoral system.

Critics say the system is marred by electoral-roll fraud and other pro-government bias, and complain the government has not sufficiently followed through on a pledge by Najib to address the accusations in time for the polls.

The government denies the system is biased.

- AFP/al