At a Cabinet meeting today, Premier Jiang Yi-huah applauded the results of a public security report from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) that showed significant drops in violence, theft, fraud and other recorded crimes over the first half of this year. The clearance rate reached 89.6 percent for all crimes and 97.22 percent for violent crimes in particular, he noted.
The premier said that police officers have had to endure hot weather conditions this summer to maintain public security, but they must be even more patient when it comes to handling protests. He expressed regret over a case in Miaoli County in which land expropriation protestors were injured in scuffles with police.
People in a democracy have the right to voice their views, Jiang continued, and the government will grant and respect such rights as long as the opinions are expressed legally and rationally. He directed the National Police Agency (NPA) to remind all officers of the importance of not only complying with regulations but minding their attitudes and conduct. With more protests expected to take place in the coming days, the NPA and other agencies must achieve a balance between enforcing the law and protecting human rights.
The MOI also reported that the NPA arrested reputed fugitive Chang An-lo in June immediately after his return from mainland China. But because the case received little assistance from mainland authorities, the premier directed the Mainland Affairs Council, Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and MOI to convey Taiwan's concerns to the mainland and ask for greater cooperation through the cross-strait mechanism for judicial mutual assistance and combating crime. As for Chang's use of a politically controversial book to cover his handcuffs from media cameras, the premier reminded the NPA to be more attentive to such details in future high-profile cases to avoid stirring debates irrelevant to public security.
On the topic of drunk driving, the president has on numerous occasions mentioned it as a leading cause of death in Taiwan, said the premier. Even though the number of deaths attributed to drunk driving in the first six months of the year fell by 66 (or 32.51 percent) from the same period last year, the government still maintains a zero-tolerance policy against drunk driving. Jiang directed the MOI, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), MOJ and local governments to stay vigilant and strengthen their prevention and publicity campaigns. He also asked the NPA to analyze the impact of new drunk driving regulations and plan additional measures to crack down on intoxicated drivers.
Fire safety is another item high on the government's agenda, said the premier. According to the MOI's report on fire safety in Taiwan, the first six months of the year saw declines in the number of fires as well as the resulting deaths and property losses. Premier Jiang expressed his appreciation and commended firefighters nationwide. As for cities and counties that showed increases in fire-related deaths, the premier asked the National Fire Agency to work with local officials and help make speedy improvements.
Regarding the disappointing passing rates from random safety inspections conducted in various cities and counties, the premier directed the MOI to guide and help local authorities make improvements. Venues failing the inspections will be required to make changes within a specific period while authorities must implement stronger fire prevention measures. The MOI will also periodically release information on progress made by these local governments.
As for the MOI's efforts to promote fire safety in narrow alleyways, local governments have begun implementing improvement measures but reports show that only 26 percent of narrow alleyways nationwide have been marked as no-parking zones. In addition, several cities and counties were found to have conducted very few fire drills. Jiang asked the MOI and the MOTC to prompt these underperforming cities and counties to expedite improvements in order to safeguard public safety.
The premier mourned the deaths of two brave members of the New Taipei City Government Fire Department, Chen Yi-jui and Peng Hsiang-yi, who lost their lives while responding to a fire on July 6. The Executive Yuan has recommended the pair for posthumous presidential citations, Jiang said, but no amount of condolence or honor will bring back the precious young lives. To protect frontline crews in the future, the MOI will strengthen commanding officers' fire assessment skills and reinforce safety training for firefighters so that this tragedy is not repeated.
After hearing the MOI's report on the state of human trafficking in Taiwan, Jiang said Taiwan has maintained a Tier-1 ranking in the U.S. State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report for four consecutive years. The government's work in this area sets an example for many countries. As the premier remarked at a Cabinet meeting on June 27, this is an achievement to cherish because not even some of the advanced countries have placed in the top tier. He acknowledged and commended the MOI, MOJ, Council of Labor Affairs, local governments and civil groups for their efforts.
Premier Jiang said the MOI's human trafficking report mentioned problems in the investigation, protection, prevention aspects of the work, as well as in cooperative efforts with mainland China and other countries. To address the issues, the MOI recommended 16 strategies, most of which have already been put to action. Jiang also asked the MOI to report its progress at the Executive Yuan's human trafficking prevention coordination meetings, led by Minister without Portfolio Luo Ying-shay.