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๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Lawmaker's 'Bullying' Budget Cuts Spark Outrage

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling proposed significant budget cuts and freezes for several government agencies, including the Presidential Office's discretionary fund and the Judicial Yuan.
  • The cuts, particularly a harsh condition for the Judicial Yuan's budget tied to filling Grand Justice positions, drew sharp criticism from the Taiwan Watch Society (ๅ…ฌ็ฃ็›Ÿ), which labeled them as

Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling has drawn fire for her aggressive budget-cutting proposals, which critics have labeled as "retaliatory" and "bullying." Weng, a member of the Kuomintang party, proposed slashing the Presidential Office's discretionary fund by NT$10 million and freezing another NT$20 million. She also targeted the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration's budget and the Judicial Yuan's spending.

Rigorous budget review is a legislator's duty to safeguard public funds.

โ€” Weng Hsiao-lingResponding to criticism of her budget cut proposals.

The most contentious proposal involves the Judicial Yuan's budget, which Weng suggested could only be unfrozen once the number of Grand Justices reaches at least ten. Currently, the Constitutional Court has only five justices, falling short of its fifteen-member capacity. Weng argued that with fewer than ten justices appointed, the court should not be operating with such a large budget.

The Taiwan Watch Society (ๅ…ฌ็ฃ็›Ÿ) condemned Weng's actions, calling her proposals "retaliatory" and "bullying" budget cuts. In response, Weng defended her actions, stating that rigorous budget review is a legislator's duty to safeguard public funds. She questioned the role of ruling party legislators, suggesting they have not adequately scrutinized government spending.

The discretionary fund is the president's special expenses.

โ€” Weng Hsiao-lingExplaining her rationale for cutting the Presidential Office's discretionary fund.

Weng further explained her stance on the Presidential Office's discretionary fund, equating it to the president's special expenses. She argued for austerity given the government's substantial debt, exceeding NT$400 billion this year. Weng also criticized President Lai Ching-te for not yet announcing five laws passed by the legislature and for not ensuring the accurate allocation of military pay increases.

With fewer than ten justices appointed, why should the Constitutional Court have so much funding?

โ€” Weng Hsiao-lingJustifying the freeze on the Judicial Yuan's budget.

Regarding the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration's budget, Weng denied using it as leverage. She insisted that government agencies must fulfill their legal obligations. Weng specifically addressed concerns about civil servants and military personnel needing to provide guarantees before traveling to mainland China, asserting that current laws do not require such guarantees. She called for clarity from the Personnel Administration to prevent intimidation of public servants.

This is not using the budget as leverage; we believe every agency should fulfill its obligations according to the law.

โ€” Weng Hsiao-lingAddressing accusations of using budget cuts to pressure the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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