TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The head of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation (馬英九文教基金會), a think tank linked to the opposition the Kuomintang and established by the former president, criticized the handling of Ko Wen-je's (柯文哲) detention during a speech on Sunday (Sept. 8).
Director Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) claimed that the judicial process against Ko, the chairman of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨), was unjust and reminiscent of past political persecutions.
The TPP hosted the "Little Grass" protest (小草晚會) on Sunday (Sept. 8) to support Ko, detained over the Core Pacific City case (京華城案). Organizers reported over 10,000 attendees and 19,000 online viewers.
Hsiao appeared as a surprise guest and emphasized his support for Ko and the integrity of Taiwan's judicial system.
Hsiao drew parallels between Ko's case and former President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) past legal battles, alleging that prosecutors leaked information to the media to damage reputations, questioning how media outlets quickly obtained exclusive details known only to investigators.
He claimed that the court cleared Ma, but the prosecutors were nevertheless promoted. Hsiao urged Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-chien (鄭銘謙) to handle various high-profile cases impartially to restore public trust.
After his speech, Hsiao revealed that Ma was aware of his attendance and remarks, underscoring the importance of the presumption of innocence. The protest highlighted ongoing concerns about judicial fairness in Taiwan, with calls for reform and accountability.
