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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Disasters & Emergencies

Legislator Criticized for Blaming Flood Victims in Taipei

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Legislator Li Yen-hsiu visited a disaster-stricken area in Neihu, Taipei, after heavy rains caused severe flooding.
  • During her visit, Li suggested that residents planting vegetables on slopes might have contributed to soil erosion and landslides.
  • This statement drew sharp criticism from Chang Yu-meng, who accused Li of blaming the victims and questioned Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's flood control efforts.

Following severe flooding in Taipei's Neihu district after heavy rainfall, legislator Li Yen-hsiu visited the affected area. During her inspection, Li suggested that residents planting vegetables and sugarcane on slopes could potentially loosen the soil, increasing the risk of landslides.

It is possible that residents planted some vegetables, sugarcane, etc. ... Could this cause the soil to become loose more easily?

— Li Yen-hsiuSuggesting a potential cause for soil erosion during a disaster inspection.

This remark immediately sparked strong criticism from Chang Yu-meng, who is associated with the Taiwan Youth Democratic Association. Chang accused Li of "shamelessly blaming the disaster victims" and questioned the timing and substance of her visit, implying it was a delayed response. Chang also sarcastically suggested that perhaps Chiang Wan-an, the mayor of Taipei, was the one "planting vegetables."

This is the first time I have seen a legislator shamelessly blaming the disaster victims.

— Chang Yu-mengCriticizing Li Yen-hsiu's statement.

Chang further criticized Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's administration, suggesting that the city's inadequate flood control measures were the primary issue. He pointed to a recent incident where a large taro plant was found in a Neihu storm drain, highlighting the apparent lack of maintenance. Chang questioned the effectiveness of Chiang's flood relief efforts, noting that even opposition city councilors had to advocate for improved subsidy standards for flood-affected businesses and residents.

Who is planting vegetables? Mayor Chiang Wan-an?

— Chang Yu-mengSardonically questioning Li Yen-hsiu's suggestion.

The controversy also involves accusations that Li Yen-hsiu was deflecting from the city's shortcomings. Chang cited reports suggesting Li had just returned from the United States and questioned her immediate engagement with disaster relief. He also pointed out that Li criticized central government subsidies as "meager" while Taipei's own subsidies were reportedly less generous, suggesting hypocrisy. The situation underscores a political dispute over responsibility and effectiveness in addressing urban flooding.

Is Taipei flooding because residents of Neihu are secretly planting vegetables? Li Yen-hsiu, shouldn't you think before you speak?

— Chang Yu-mengFurther criticizing Li Yen-hsiu's remarks.
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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