Gov't Must Recognize People's Choice in Democracy: Kuan|嘉義演講 管中閔:民主像選西瓜 選完要承認

Kuan Chung-ming, president-elect of National Taiwan University (NTU), had applied for a day off last Friday due to an eye operation. After that, he went to the Chiayi City Council on Monday to give a speech on the new value of NTU and the new spirit of Taiwan. This is the first time that Kuan speaks publicly after the controversial incident in which the Ministry of Education banned him from taking office. During his speech, Kuan called on the government to recognize the will of the people.


I would like to once again express my most sincere gratitude to all those who have shown concern about National Taiwan University and its autonomy.

Kuan rarely made public appearance after the controversial incident in which the Ministry of Education banned him from taking office. His public speech on the new value of NTU and the new spirit of Taiwan is a first for him since the incident which took place more than 8 months ago.

Let me use"fruit" as an analogy to understand the situation facing NTU, or other institutions. Some shopkeepers would try to give you rotten fruit. "Lemons" are just everywhere; by which I mean unqualified or incompetent person holding position of power. The essence of democracy for the public get to vote and choose whoever they think is best for a given position, and that the government must recognize the will of the people.

Kuan said due to an eye operation, he could not attend an interview at the Control Yuan, and that it was a coincidence to receive an invitation from Chiayi City. Kuan also talked about the importance for Taiwan's university to gain global competitiveness in order to face future challenges. Asked about who's responsible for his current predicament, Kuan said he has no idea.

The reason for anyone to mobilize such a huge amount of government resources just to bring me down is something I totally don't understand. The pressure came from four branches of the government, including the Legislative Yuan, the Executive Yuan, the Judicial Yuan and the Control Yuan. Only those in power understand the reason and know who's responsible. I really don't know who it is.

The controversy over government's interference of NTU's autonomy is still ongoing. On the other hand, during an ad-hoc meeting at the Chiayi City Council, Council Speaker Hsiao Shui-li proposed to support university autonomy, and her proposal received 15 signatures from councilors of different parties. Asked whether the proposal will affect the upcoming local elections, Hsiao said she is simply concerned about Taiwan's education system.