KMT order controversy grows as Lai Ruijin buys all 300 Mid-Autumn gift boxes

A disputed order for 300 Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes has turned into a political embarrassment for Taiwan’s Kuomintang, while Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Rui-long stepped in to buy the entire batch.

The dispute began after KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen said the party had placed all the orders originally planned by the Presidential Office from 20 sheltered workshops. The Manman Hengchun sheltered workshop then said the party had asked whether it could handle 300 boxes. After the workshop agreed, however, the order did not arrive. Staff later learned by telephone that it had been “put on hold.”

The Kaohsiung Xiaocao Care Association said it experienced the same treatment. Its executive director said the association had received a clear indication that 300 boxes would be ordered from it, and that the call came from the KMT’s Taipei central headquarters. One staff member reportedly said the matter would be checked with superiors. Later calls reached other office workers, who said the person handling the order was unavailable. No confirmation followed, even though the association had already ordered packaging materials.

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What I cannot accept is that there was no response afterward, while they now say they ordered everything. That statement will inevitably make the public question what happened.

The executive director said a buyer had every right to cancel a purchase, but should tell the seller clearly so the workshop could avoid unnecessary preparation and losses. “What I cannot accept is that there was no response afterward, while they now say they ordered everything. That statement will inevitably make the public question what happened,” the executive director said.

Lai said he had already purchased 500 boxes after hearing that sheltered workshops might lose orders. After seeing the report about another 300 boxes, he offered to buy them all. He said he hoped outside factors would not affect the workshops’ work and livelihoods. Online commenters praised his support for disadvantaged people.

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I have already purchased 500 boxes, including the Shuangfeng crisp cakes made by the Xiaocao Association. Although they have not arrived yet, I am already looking forward to them.