The storm over Tainan City Police Chief Zhou Youwei's dismissal has intensified. On the 14th, the Tainan City Council, regardless of blue or green, unanimously supported Zhou Youwei's retention in office and emphasized that if the "central government" does not withdraw the order of personnel changes, it will boycott the new police chief. Some Green Camp members even said excitedly that if public security in Taiwan is poor, the heads of administrative agencies should also be responsible, angrily denouncing "Su Tseng-chang steps down."
Su Tseng-chang, the head of the administrative agency of the Taiwan authorities, yesterday criticized the recent frequent security incidents across Taiwan and asked the police chief to take responsibility for the success or failure of security. The "Police Department" immediately reported to the internal affairs department and removed two "municipal" police chiefs including Tainan Police Chief Zhou Youwei and Kaohsiung Police Chief Li Yonggui, setting a first in Taiwan's police history and shocking the police community.
This incident immediately triggered a strong backlash in the local area. The Tainan City Council’s Kuomintang and Democratic Progressive Party groups held separate press conferences today. They not only appealed to the people to support Zhou Youwei’s retention in office, but also attacked the “central government”.
Tainan City Councilor Democratic Progressive Party Caucus
Democratic Progressive Party caucus chief Qiu Lili believes that Zhou Youwei’s sudden change is very shocking. She affirmed that Zhou Youwei's performance in the past year was remarkable. Not only did Tainan rank first among the "six cities" in terms of public security satisfaction, but the police's performance in helping to improve traffic was also obvious to all. I heard Zhou's reputation was very good outside, and many council members also received calls from the public criticizing this personnel change. Therefore, the party group unanimously decided to support Zhou's retention in office, hoping that the administrative agency would change its mind and not allow any political factors to affect Tainan City. If they do not respect public opinion, they will not accept any newly appointed director and will definitely boycott the announcement.
Some Green Camp members even criticized Su Zhenchang for "acting like an emperor." They pointed out that there were obviously different standards in this matter, and the director was changed just for a few cases, which raised questions. There are similar cases in other "cities", so why are the directors of Tainan and Kaohsiung changed? Su Zhenchang is also responsible for the poor public security. Should he resign first? If he messes up the appointment process of civil servants in this way, settles accounts after the fall, and eliminates dissidents, can he "be the emperor?" and demand that his life be withdrawn.
The Kuomintang League of the Tainan City Council
The Kuomintang League also believes that grassroots police officers generally believe that Zhou Youwei is a rare and good officer who is demanding and warm. Zhou Youwei's dismissal from office is simply ridiculous. He served in Tainan for less than a year and made Tainan his home. In just a few months, Tainan's public security satisfaction rose to the highest level in six cities, and he was highly recognized by the local government. However, the "colonel" who was punished with a major demerit in the "smuggling cigarette case" was promoted to "major general". Zhou Youwei was dismissed after solving the shooting case. "Those who go along with the prosperity will live, those who go against the prosperity will perish" are obviously using Tainan's public security flag to show off their official power.
Lanying also pointed out that public security issues are by no means the responsibility of a single unit. It is regrettable that Su Zhenchang slapped Tainan City in the face and rubbed salt into Tainan's public security wounds. The public security in other "directly-controlled municipalities" is even more chaotic, and the election does not comply with the principle of proportionality. Su Zhenchang uses Tainan's public security as a pawn to play official power. The party group will never support the newly appointed police chief.
Straits Herald comprehensive Taiwan media reports
