The leader of Taiwan's anti-Chen demonstrations, Shih Ming-teh, has pledged to lock himself away until island leader Chen Shui-bian steps down, Taiwan local media reported Monday.

Shih Ming-teh, former chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), said he will make himself a prisoner in his own apartment starting Tuesday to honor his promise that "there will be no end to the anti-Chen movement until Chen Shui-bian steps down," according to the report.

Shih believed ordinary people had made an excellent contribution via the large-scale anti-Chen protests and it was now up to him to act, said sources at anti-Chen demonstration headquarters.

The report said Shih will hold a press conference Tuesday and then "lock himself in" in his "cell", a one-bedroom Taipei apartment.

He will live like a prisoner, observing a prison work and rest schedule, and not leave his "cell" until Chen steps down, except for illness or key anti-Chen protests, the report said.

Shih has spent a total of 25 years in jail as a political prisoner, according to Taiwan local media.

Anti-Chen demonstration headquarters want Shih to continue to act as leader of the anti-Chen movement during his "imprisonment".

The anti-Chen demonstrations initiated by Shih began on Sept. 9.

Last month, hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese, dressed in red and shouting slogans, took to the streets for a grand rally in Taipei calling for the resignation of Chen Shui-bian.

Supporters claim that there were 1.5 million people involved in the mass sit-in.

Taiwan prosecutors on Friday indicted Chen Shui-bian's wife on charges of corruption and forgery, prompting unprecedented pressure in Taiwan for the island leader to step down.

Prosecutors said they had evidence to substantiate Chen's involvement but, as leader of the island, he is immune to prosecution.

Source: Xinhua