Journalist Urges Ma Ying-jeou Foundation to Disband Amid Dementia Concerns

Concerns are mounting over the potential exploitation of former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's cognitive state, with Japanese journalist Yuichi Tachibana suggesting that the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation should consider disbanding. Tachibana voiced these concerns on his Facebook page, drawing parallels to a disturbing case he witnessed in Japan years ago.

In 2005, Tachibana reported on two elderly sisters in Fujimi City, Saitama Prefecture, who suffered from dementia. They became targets for over a dozen unscrupulous renovation companies. Due to their impaired memory and inability to refuse, the sisters were subjected to constant, unnecessary repairs and modifications over three years, draining their savings of tens of millions of yen. Their home was nearly auctioned off due to unpaid renovation bills.

Tachibana highlighted that the truly frightening aspect of such situations is not the cognitive decline itself, but the surrounding individuals who are aware of the problem yet choose to exploit it. He noted that recent discussions surrounding the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation have focused less on who made decisions and more on phrases like "reported to the boss, but the boss forgot" or "it was the boss's intention, but he might not remember."

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If in an organization, all major decisions can be pushed up to a leader who may have dementia, and subordinates face no risk, controversy, or responsibility, then what is the difference between these subordinates and those unscrupulous renovation contractors in Japan?

"If in an organization, all major decisions can be pushed up to a leader who may have dementia, and subordinates face no risk, controversy, or responsibility, then what is the difference between these subordinates and those unscrupulous renovation contractors in Japan?" Tachibana questioned. He emphasized that the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation holds significant political symbolism, engaging in cross-strait exchanges, youth activities, and international outreach. If its leader is no longer capable of handling the workload, the foundation should cease using his name, influence, and political capital.

Tachibana concluded by stating that the lesson learned from the Japanese case was to "be careful of dementia, and even more careful of people who use those with dementia to do bad things." He believes the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation has reached a point where it is unclear who is responsible or making decisions, and it is time to consider dissolving it to prevent it from being politically manipulated or used as a shield for influence operations. He suggested that Ma Ying-jeou should be allowed to retire peacefully, away from the controversies of power.

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Be careful of dementia, and even more careful of people who use those with dementia to do bad things.