Today, Taiwan writer Yang Du, speaking as a long-time friend, bluntly said, "For Ma Ying-jeou's sake, please turn off the lights!" In response, the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation issued a statement noting that Ma Ying-jeou had personally called Yang Du this morning. During their conversation, Ma emphasized that he is simply getting older—now 76—and thus prone to forgetfulness, but not so severely impaired as to be unable to distinguish between integrity and corruption, or between right and wrong.
Ma Ying-jeou stressed in particular: "My health condition and whether Xiao Xucen and Wang Guangci are involved in breach of trust or embezzlement are entirely separate matters. Can my physical health possibly justify their illegal and unethical conduct? These two issues cannot be conflated in any way."
It is reported that Yang Du stated, as a friend of Ma Ying-jeou, he truly felt reluctant to write such an article. However, for the sake of protecting Ma Ying-jeou, he felt compelled to speak out. Yang Du lamented that only after the dispute at the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation did he realize how significantly Ma had deteriorated—how could one handle public affairs with such a decline?
Yang Du also remarked that fortunately, the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation is merely a private organization. What a pity for Ma Ying-jeou himself. He advised Ma’s family members and the foundation’s board directors: out of respect and care for the former leader, please turn off the lights!
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862428713840652/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.