An investigative panel formed by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) today announced that the Special Investigation Division's (SID) wiretapping of the Legislative Yuan's switchboard number was unintentional—a finding that the Executive Yuan said it fully respects. The Executive Yuan also supports the panel's recommendation that the individuals responsible for the administrative errors be referred to the MOJ's Prosecutors Evaluation Committee for further deliberation.
Premier Jiang Yi-huah has been extremely concerned about the matter since news erupted on September 28 that the SID allegedly tapped the Legislature during an investigation into an improper lobbying case. The premier ordered the MOJ to immediately form an ad hoc panel of MOJ officials and experts from the private sector to thoroughly investigate the matter and give an answer to the public.
After rigorously questioning relevant persons, poring over documents and listening to the surveillance recordings, the panel wrapped up its investigation October 10. By unanimous agreement, members of the panel concurred that the SID did not violate any laws in setting up the wiretap of the 0972 telephone number, and that it tapped the Legislature not out of a deliberate attempt but as a result of administrative oversight.
Safeguarding human rights and ending illegal surveillance are pivotal to the development of a healthy democracy, said the Executive Yuan. This has been President Ma Ying-jeou's firm belief and a principle that the government has upheld adamantly. Unfortunately, administrative error on the part of a few SID personnel has dented the government's credibility severely. The Executive Yuan supports the MOJ's decision to refer these individuals for further punishment, and urges all government employees to take notice and learn from the incident.
Eliminating illegal monitoring requires a comprehensive and systemic approach, the Executive Yuan continued. Since the procedures for prosecutors requesting court authorization for wiretaps fall under the jurisdictions of the Executive Yuan and the Judicial Yuan, Premier Jiang and Judicial Yuan President Rai Hau-min have agreed to establish a collaboration platform to conduct a thorough legal and administrative review of the wiretapping system.