Taiwan lawmaker calls for Jackie Chan movie ban
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-04-22 16:38

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 Thursday.

At a news conference in Shanghai last month, the action star called Taiwan's disputed election ``the biggest joke in the world.''

Chen Shui-bian narrowly won the March 20 vote, but opposition candidate Lien Chan claims the vote was marred by irregularities.

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 Chen sympathy votes at the polls.

It was unclear which aspects of the election Chan was criticizing.

Parris Chang, a senior member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said 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 traveling to Hong Kong.

Chan, who is married to an actress from Taiwan, is a frequent visitor to the island, where he has appeared in commercials for humanitarian causes.