Han Kuo-yu Angered by KMT Legislator's Objections Amid Budget Delays

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu has voiced significant frustration over the stalled review of the national budget and military procurement, a situation veteran media commentator Huang Wei-han describes as "unprecedented."

Han, who also serves as a legislator-at-large for the Kuomintang (KMT), has previously spoken out about the military procurement case being held up in the preliminary committee for 10 weeks. He has also expressed displeasure with the central government's budget for the current year being delayed for over six months. Huang explained that Han's position as Speaker is not driven by party affiliation but by a commitment to the nation's ongoing operations and the legislature's proper functioning.

During a consultation on July 30, Han's attempts to manage the discussion, prioritizing party caucus leaders, were met with persistent objections from KMT legislator Weng Hsiao-ling. Han reportedly became angry, stating, "Caucus leaders can speak anytime they raise their hands, we still have over 1,300 cases, will this meeting ever end?" He stressed that deliberations would continue, with a target to pass all items by August 7.

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Caucus leaders can speak anytime they raise their hands, we still have over 1,300 cases, will this meeting ever end?

Huang Wei-han noted on Facebook that Han was the first to "plead" for the military procurement case when it was stalled. He reiterated that the delay in the current year's budget, which should have been completed last year, is highly unusual. Even if the KMT's proposed amendments were passed, the budget would still be considered reviewed. However, the delay has stretched into July, with the next year's budget due to be submitted by the Executive Yuan at the end of August, leaving the current year's budget still under deliberation.

Huang pointed out that while reserving proposals respects legislators' input, Weng Hsiao-ling continued to speak despite not being a party whip. He concluded that Han's current expression of dissatisfaction is not for the party's benefit but to ensure the nation's progress and that the Legislative Yuan fulfills its constitutional responsibilities.

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unprecedented