The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) launched a push to reform Taiwan’s pretrial detention system. The party wants to end the collusion clause, which allows courts to jail suspects to stop them from influencing others.
TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang rejected claims that the proposal was meant to help former party head Ko Wen-je. Ko faces detention in a corruption case tied to the Core Pacific City redevelopment project.
Prosecutors say Ko might influence co-defendants if released. However, Huang argued the law lets authorities jail people without solid proof. He said the TPP wants to limit detention to clear flight risks or risk of destroyed evidence.
Additionally, the amendment would require courts to prove no alternative measures could stop such risks. Huang said the change supports human rights and prevents political abuse.
He also reminded the public that many Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leaders once backed similar reforms. Previously, the DPP tried to end the collusion clause after former President Chen Shui-bian’s detention.
Now, however, DPP lawmakers have criticized the TPP’s plan. Legislator Puma Shen said the proposal would harm Taiwan’s ability to investigate crimes. DPP Secretary-General Wu Szu-yao called the amendment a tool to protect Ko.
Meanwhile, Ko’s legal team raised new concerns about the prosecutors’ conduct. They questioned why Peggy Chen, Ko’s wife, appears on the witness list but her statement remains missing.
Prosecutors claimed her testimony relates to another case and said they could not reveal it. In response, attorney Cheng Shen-yuan accused them of using secrecy to pressure Ko and his wife.
Cheng said prosecutors tried to build a second case to gain leverage. Attorney Lu Cheng-i added that Taiwan’s law requires full disclosure during discovery. He argued the prosecution broke that rule by hiding evidence.
Despite heavy backlash, the TPP refuses to step back. The party remains determined to end the collusion clause and restore fairness to the justice system.
