Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Taiwan typhoon victims berate President Ma
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Taiwan typhoon victims berate President Ma
By DEBWU,Associated Press Writer AP - Thursday, August 20
TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwanese survivors of Typhoon Morakot berated the president on Wednesday for his government's slow response to the deadly disaster, and two more senior lawmakers offered to resign to take responsibility.
ADVERTISEMENT
The storm hit the island 12 days ago, taking at least 400 lives and causing more than $2 billion in property damage. It triggered landslides and widespread flooding that trapped thousands of people in remote mountain villages for days.
Angry relatives and friends of the more than 200 people who died in a massive mudslides in Shaio Lin confronted President Ma Ying-jeou when he visited the southern village for the first time Wednesday.
He said the main purpose of his visit was to acknowledge "that the government could have done better in disaster prevention."
One man who identified himself as a Shiao Lin resident recalled comments Ma made to Britain's ITN News in which he appeared to blame the victims for their own fate, saying they did not flee storm-affected areas quickly enough.
"Why are you coming here to see us only now?" the man asked in footage broadcast by several TV stations. "You keep blaming the disaster on us for not evacuating earlier, while we actually did not receive any instruction to leave before the storm hit."
An unidentified woman screamed repeatedly in Ma's face, saying a government construction project had contributed to the Shiao Lin disaster by weakening the foundations of several surrounding mountains.
"Why did the government ... do such a bad thing?" she asked him. "The people in Shiao Lin did not have to die. Who's going to take responsibility for that?"
Ma remained largely silent, speaking only to promise government aid to families of the victims.
He consoled grieving relatives, some dressed in traditional mourning robes made of sackcloth, and offered prayers for the dead
Earlier Wednesday, Defense Minister Chen Chao-min and Cabinet Secretary-General Hsueh Hsiang-chuan submitted their resignations to take responsibility for the slow official response to Morakot. Premier Liu Chao-shiuan said the resignations would be considered within the framework of an overall Cabinet reshuffle next month.
Vice Foreign Minister Andrew Hsia offered to resign Monday because his ministry rejected material assistance and rescue teams from foreign countries in the first days after Morakot hit.
Morakot's massive toll has clearly stung Ma's government, which assumed power 15 months ago on a mandate to improve relations with China and bring effective administration to Taiwan after years of allegedly corrupt rule by former President Chen Shui-bian.
A telephone poll published Wednesday by the usually pro-Ma United Daily News showed how far he has fallen in the public eye _ and how fast.
It put his approval rating at 29 percent, down from 52 percent only three months earlier.
The poll surveyed 919 Taiwanese adults on Tuesday and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percent.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Number of kids poisoned by lead in China risesAFP - 2 hours 27 minutes ago
Afghan media refuse to censor election reportingAP - 2 hours 34 minutes ago
Thailand's swine flu death toll reaches 111AP - 2 hours 55 minutes ago
At least 13 die in Pakistan bus crashAP - 2 hours 58 minutes ago
Koreas mourn death of SKorea's Kim Dae-jungAP - Thursday, August 20
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
UK UFO sightings spiked when blockbusters released
Egypt warns pharaohs' tombs could disappear
Canadian singer Celine Dion pregnant with second child
Sleep disorders linked to premature deaths: study
Michael Jackson's 51st birthday to be his burial day: father
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 Israel quietly halts settlement building permits
HP could prune outsourcing services: sources
US investigating more than 150 UBS customers
Israel ministers agree to curtail settlement building
Digital music sales 'to nearly equal CDs next year'
Imprisoned Iranian activists hospitalized
Canadian singer Celine Dion pregnant with second child
Netanyahu limits new projects in settlements
| International
|
Qwest to shut off its wireless service October 31
Yemen points to Iranian backing for rebels
| International
|
Global economic recovery 'has started': IMF chief economist
Egypt warns pharaohs' tombs could disappear
Apple probes iPhone explosion reports: EU
Iran's Mousavi backs Karoubi over rape allegations
Exploding iPhones 'isolated incidents', say Apple
Kremlin sends tough general to troubled Ingushetia
| International
|
Azeri out of tune with Eurovision vote for Armenia
| International
|
EU invests millions in high-speed mobile internet
Iraqi leader wants Syria to hand over suspects
Still no Italy lottery winner as jackpot soars higher
| International
|
US man charged in massive credit card theft scheme
Sony rolling out new, cheaper PlayStation 3
| Technology
|
Rock Band unveils 19 songs for new Beatles game
| Technology
|
Appeals court orders new trial in Brocade case
Attacks rock Afghan capital ahead of vote, 8 die
SKorea loses champion of peace: Kim Dae-jung
Obama: Encouraged on Israel, Palestinians
Dalai Lama to attend Czech rights meeting: spokesman
Former HP chief takes step toward US Senate bid
HP could prune outsourcing services: sources
| Technology
|
Mubarak firm on final status push in Obama talks
Study finds tiny traces of cocaine on US dollars
Thai govt warns of delay on Thaksin pardon ruling
Obama speech in Cairo allayed Muslim concerns: Mubarak
Chinese mayor apologizes for lead poisoning
US diplomat leaves for Asia
S.Korea counts down to first space rocket launch
Bomb attack against NATO troops in Kabul kills 8
Japan ruling party the underdog as campaign begins
Guitarist Les Paul to be buried in Wis. hometown
McCain calls for more US troops in Afghanistan
Embassy says Mubarak undecided on new term
India sees 'six percent plus' growth despite drought
India hopes for 'rainbow coalition' at trade talks
News Corp. streamlines Asian broadcasting unit STAR
Smashing Pumpkins pick new drummer after open call
Celine Dion pregnant again
'Survivor' Hatch says imprisoned because he's gay
Vatican unveils night-time museum openings
Sean and Robin Penn back to divorce court
| Entertainment
|
John Cleese finalises divorce from third wife
Rock Band unveils 19 songs for new Beatles game
| Entertainment
|
Celine Dion pregnant with second child
British award to honor Monty Python at NY reunion
| Entertainment
|
Indian artist says 'threatened' over Hindu god portraits
Strep throat may have killed Mozart
Conservative commentator Robert Novak dies aged 78
| Entertainment
|
Strep throat may have killed Mozart
| Entertainment
|
Spike Lee to mark Jackson's birthday with NYC bash
John Cleese finalises divorce from third wife
| Entertainment
|
France's Annaud to direct 'Wolf Totem' in China
Gunmen in bloody Kabul siege on eve of Afghan election
| International
|
SmartZip pinpoints hot homes in US foreclosure market
Kabul attacks escalate on Afghan election eve
Another Taiwan minister offers to quit after typhoon
| International
|
Hurricane Bill strengthens to Category Three status
Ahmadinejad to unveil new cabinet
North Korea signals gentler approach to South
| International
|
Hurricane Bill a major Category Three hurricane
PlayStation 3 slims down in size, price
Swine flu vaccine orders pass one billion: WHO
Apple looking into reports of exploding iPhones
Iraqis find Iranian-made rockets after US attacked
HP profit falls but beats expectations
Battle for jobs feeds Northern Ireland xenophobia
| International
|
Microsoft files to stay Word injunction
Modest search gain in July for Bing: comScore
Microsoft's Bing wins share from Google, Yahoo
Sony rolling out new, cheaper PlayStation 3
Nexon online videogame business defies market
"Rock Band" unveils 19 songs for new Beatles game
PlayStation 3 slims down in size, price
Sony rolling out new, cheaper PlayStation 3
Apple looking into reports of exploding iPhones
| Technology
|
Sony rolling out new, cheaper PlayStation 3
| Technology
|
Gunfire reported in Kabul on election eve
Frustrated tweets new headache for airlines
| Technology
|
Seattle voters reject 20-cent grocery bag fee
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
North Korean officials to meet with NM governor
Microsoft's Bing wins share from Google, Yahoo
| Technology
|
Suspect ordered to trial in death of porn model
Doctor: Truck accident kills 25 Indonesian workers
Family seeks to free terminally ill Calif. woman
Microsoft files to stay Word injunction
| Technology
|
9 missing after oil tanker collision off Malaysia
Warhol's Jackson portrait sold by NY art gallery
Clinton seeks to reassure on US-Colombia agreement
US man heads home after release from Myanmar jail
Life-giving compound found in space
NKorea blasts military exercise as nuke rehearsal
SKorea to launch 1st rocket; eyes on NK response
2 guilty of hiring undocumented workers in Wash.
NKorean diplomats to meet US governor
NKorea offers to send delegates to Kim funeral
NKorea's Kim sends message on Kim Dae-jung's death
Redford to direct Lincoln assassination film: report
Paris Hilton won't owe $8.3 million for film flop
Judge: Paris Hilton doesn't owe $8m for movie flop
Robin Wright Penn files for divorce
Warhol portrait of M. Jackson auctioned for 'millions'
Global recovery requires US, Asia rebalancing: IMF
Taiwan dlr falls with won, but stock rise supports
"Twilight" hits the road with fan convention tour
'Big Brother 11' addresses Chima's expulsion
Sony cuts price for PlayStation 3 in Japan
Mexican fans to try for `Thriller' dance record
Seoul shares firm on foreign buying, techs rally
Stephen Stills mines archives for two new releases
Korea Hot Stocks-Aerospace engineering-related issues rally
Mozart may have died from strep throat: study
Twilight hits the road with fan convention tour
| Entertainment
|
'Viagra effect' undermining Brazil's pension system: study
Paris Hilton won't owe $8.3 million for film flop
| Entertainment
|
Redford to direct Lincoln assassination film: report
S.Korean bonds rebound on foreign investor buying
Lenovo to buy $2.7 bln of products from Taiwan -paper
Oliver Stone to show "Secret History of America"
Seoul shares open firm as banks, auto issues rise
Tom Ford's Single Man vies for Queer Lion
| Entertainment
|
Stephen Stills mines archives for two new releases
| Entertainment
|
China to top Germany as 2009 export champion: German exporters
Diane Kruger tailor-made for Tarantino film
| Entertainment
|
U.S. skating champ Boitano serves up cooking show
| Entertainment
|
Oliver Stone to show Secret History of America
| Entertainment
|
France arrests three ETA suspects
Baghdad blasts kill 95, Iraqi security criticized
| International
|
Cricket chiefs probe Australia betting claim
Baghdad blasts kill 77 as security criticised
Wave of Baghdad bombings kills 45
Iran's Ahmadinejad may face tough fight over cabinet
| International
|
Sixty still missing in Russian dam tragedy
UN pays tribute to fallen aid workers
N.Korea to send delegation to Kim Dae-Jung funeral
Pro-government militia seizes second Somali town
| International
|
Iran reformer asks to present rape evidence
Over 60 still missing after Russia dam disaster
Russian dam families want truth as hopes fade
| International
|
'At least nine killed' in Baghdad car bombings
Hijackers threatened to blow up mystery ship: reports
| International
|
Kabul attacks escalate on Afghan election eve
Israel says UN covering up Iran's nuclear arms drive
French press sniff fake shoppers at minister's visit
| International
|
ETA suspects arrested in France after Spain bombs
| International
|
Ga. couple killed by pack of wild dogs near home
6 cops, 59 shots, 43 wounds, 1 dead man in Tenn.
Label hunts hackers who stole Lewis/Timberlake song
| Technology
|
US defends deal to use Colombian bases
Microsoft files to stay Word injunction
| Technology
|
Afghans express fears _ and hopes _ on eve of vote
Asustek aims to ship 1 million smartphones in 2010
| Technology
|
ACT scores hold steady as test-taking pool expands
US gives $6 million to Sri Lankan for demining
Gates Foundation seeks education's magic pill
Twitter site offers followers line to God
| Technology
|
Taiwan typhoon victims berate President Ma
Man in Fla. plane crash mystery to be sentenced
Microsoft's Bing wins share from Google, Yahoo
| Technology
|
Scotland mulls liberty for Lockerbie bomber
China wants petitioners' cases solved locally
Glitch halts South Korea's first rocket launch
3 militants killed on eve of Afghan election
Some baby boomers still getting high, report says
Fed crackdown puts tribal artifact dealers on edge
Afghan media refuse to censor election reporting
China panda gives birth to twins: state media
Taiwan ministers might resign as storm row grows
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Toyota to raise output, buy batteries from Sanyo
Official: Macau's ex-consumer chief found hanged
Thai exports fall 25.7 percent in July: ministry
Pakistan's July c/a def narrows to $606 mln
Sony cuts PS3 price around world, offers upgrade
Seoul shares slip; Hynix, Hyundai Motor rally =2
SOHO China buys Morgan Stanley arm for 359mln dlrs
Seoul shares slip; Hynix, Hyundai Motor rally
Paris Hilton won't owe $8.3 million for film flop
| Entertainment
|
France's Annaud to direct 'Wolf Totem' movie
Michael Jackson burial set for August 29
| Entertainment
|
German joker bucks up dreary election campaign
Label hunts hackers who stole Lewis/Timberlake song
| Entertainment
|
Mistrust over Sunni militias threatens Iraq stability
Mexico's Inarritu to head Tokyo festival jury
Tom Ford's "Single Man" vies for Queer Lion
Tom Sherak elected president of film academy
Indonesia arrests Saudi suspect over hotel bombings
Truck crash kills 25 in Indonesia: police
Indonesia probes Saudi cash link to hotels attack
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights