Calls to ban Jackie Chan
2004-04-22 11:05
Taipei - Jackie Chan's next movie should be banned in Taiwan because of the actor's remarks about last month's presidential election, a senior ruling party lawmaker said on Thursday.
At a news conference in Shanghai last month, the action star called Taiwan's disputed election "the biggest joke in the world".
President Chen Shui-bian narrowly won the March 20 vote, but opposition candidate Lien Chan claims the vote was marred by irregularities, though he's provided little proof.
The High Court is working out how to conduct a recount, tentatively scheduled for next month.
The opposition also alleges that an election eve shooting that lightly wounded Chen unfairly gave the president sympathy votes at the polls.
It was unclear which aspects of the election Chan was criticising.
Parris Chang, a senior member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said on Thursday that Taiwan should punish the Hong Kong movie star Chan for his comments.
"We want to propose a motion at the legislature to ask the government to ban showings of Jackie Chan's new movie," Chang said. The action star's latest Hollywood film, Around the World in 80 Days, is set to open on the island in June.
Chang also said the actor should be barred from Taiwan and suggested Taiwanese people should consider retaliating by not travelling to Hong Kong.
However, while sharing Chang's concerns, some of the lawmaker's colleagues were less than enthusiastic about taking action against the popular star.
"We do not agree with all statements by individual party members, but we can respect their freedom of speech," said DPP lawmaker Tsai Huang-lang.
Chan, who is married to a Taiwanese actress, is a frequent visitor to the island, where he has appeared in commercials for humanitarian causes.
- AP