"Justice Minister" Wang Ching-feng yesterday faced mounting calls from politicians and activists to resign after she vowed not to allow any death sentences during her term.

Meanwhile, the "Presidential Office" spokesman said at a press conference that Taiwan practices rule of law, and the "Ministry of Justice" should always abide by the law.

Wang said Wednesday that she would rather quit than order the execution of the 44 convicts currently on death row, adding she was willing to die in their place or "descend to hell" for them.

Her comments immediately sparked a barrage of criticism, with some legislators and pro-capital punishment activists calling for her resignation.

"Wang should enforce the law, which stipulates the execution, but she wants to protect the perpetrators. She should step down for openly defying the law," said Lo Shu-lei, a lawmaker of the ruling Kuomintang party.

Entertainer Pai Ping-ping, an outspoken supporter of the death penalty whose daughter was kidnapped, raped and murdered in the 1990s, also demanded Wang quit for hurting the victims of brutal crimes.

"We should sympathize with the victims and give them justice, as the law is the last defense for the protection of the people. Wang is leaning toward the evil side and is unfit for the job," Pai told reporters.

Undeterred, Wang, who has held the job since May 2008, insisted that abolishing the death penalty would help bring about a more modern system of law enforcement.

"We should do the right thing and convince the public to support us. Whether I stay (as "justice minister") or quit is not that important," she told reporters.

Her sentiment appeared to be at odds with mainstream public opinion, as the latest poll showed a majority against abolishing death sentence.

About 74 percent of 792 people interviewed by the United Daily News on Wednesday supported capital punishment, against 12 percent who opposed it.

China Daily/AFP

(HK Edition 03/12/2010 page8)