DPP Accuses Keelung Mayor of Copying Pledges, Wasting Funds, Then Crying Poor

Keelung's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has accused Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang of hypocrisy, alleging he copied campaign pledges while squandering public money and then claiming financial hardship.

The DPP's Keelung City Chapter held a press conference to criticize the mayor's recent actions. They pointed to his "Chang Le 65" policy, which increased elderly benefits, as a direct copy of a proposal by Speaker Tong Tzu-wei. The DPP highlighted that Hsieh implemented this increase shortly after Tong's proposal, despite claiming the city faces financial difficulties.

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He copies campaign promises with his left hand and overspends with his right, only to tell citizens about financial difficulties.

"He copies campaign promises with his left hand and overspends with his right, only to tell citizens about financial difficulties," said DPP Keelung City Chapter Executive Director Yu Jui-pai. Yu questioned why Hsieh did not consider the city's finances when implementing the increased benefits but readily spent on "controversial policies" such as the double-decker tourist bus, artificial turf, and city ambassadorships.

The criticism comes after the central government announced a universal cash handout of 10,000 NT dollars. While other local governments considered matching or increasing this amount, Hsieh stated Keelung could not afford to follow suit due to its financial situation. The DPP demanded that Hsieh clearly explain how Keelung's funds have been spent and why the city is now claiming to be in financial distress.

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Why did he have money when following others' campaign promises and increasing them? Why did he have money to buy double-decker buses and implement one controversial policy after another? But now, when it comes to the universal cash handout, he suddenly tells Keelung citizens 'we have no money'?