Former chairman of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Lin Yi-hsiung began fasting Tuesday to protest against the construction of the fourth nuclear power plant.
Accompanied by his family to a church in Taipei where the fast is taking place, Lin said he was doing something meaningful for Taiwan and that the fast will last indefinitely.
Lin said had it not been the government’s blatant disregard for public opinion, he would not have begun fasting. The 73-year-old politician also said if anything bad happens to him, those who are in power should be held accountable.
Lin is also very critical of the government’s pledge to ensure nuclear safety.
“The safety checks of hi-tech countries such as the United States, Russia and Japan are more stringent than that of Taiwan. Still, there were nuclear disasters there. The [government] is fooling the public when they are talking about nuclear safety,” said Lin.
Lin fasted in 1994 for the same cause. He said he felt ashamed about not being able to change the mindset of those in power after working hard for 20 years.