DPP questions Keelung Mayor Hsieh's use of work hours for election duties

Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang faces accusations from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for allegedly holding an election campaign meeting during official work hours last Friday. The DPP's Keelung executive director, Yu Rui-bai, questioned whether the mayor had formally taken leave for the 4 p.m. meeting.

Hsieh, recently nominated by the Kuomintang for re-election, had announced his intention to begin his election campaign this week. However, the DPP points to the alleged campaign meeting as evidence of contradictory statements and a potential breach of public trust, suggesting a lack of confidence in his electoral prospects or integrity.

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Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang, who was officially nominated by the KMT, does not need to hide the convening of campaign meetings. However, choosing to say one thing and do another inevitably makes citizens doubt which of Hsieh's words are true.

Yu Rui-bai demanded a public explanation from Hsieh, seeking clarification on the nature of the meeting, his participation, and the reasons for starting campaign activities before his stated timeline. The DPP also raised concerns about the potential use of city resources and personnel, questioning whether any municipal officials or staff were involved.

In response, Keelung City Government Deputy Spokesperson Wu Yu-chen stated that Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang will follow legal procedures and take leave for any non-official engagements. The DPP also criticized Hsieh's perceived distance from the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) during a recent campaign event for a TPP city council candidate, questioning the sincerity of the supposed KMT-TPP cooperation.

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Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang will take leave according to the law for non-official activities, please rest assured.