Taiwan lawmaker rejects calls to stay silent over sheltered-workshop backlash

Taiwanese lawmaker Weng Hsiao-ling is refusing to retreat from a political fight that has reached as far as Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake orders from sheltered workshops.

The Kuomintang legislator’s proposal to cut and freeze the presidential office’s confidential expenses led to the cancellation of those orders, prompting public criticism and complaints inside her party. Reports said some local government leaders wanted Weng to remain quiet, while Kuomintang legislative caucus leader Fu Kun-chi was alleged to have called her and told her to “shut up.”

“

I would like to thank the caucus for its support, otherwise my bill could not have passed.

In a radio interview, Weng said she remained committed to both her principles and her proposal. She thanked the party caucus for its support, saying the measure could not have passed without it. Although lawmakers held different views during the process, she said they remained aligned on their approach and actions.

“

I, as a legal professional, must uphold the constitutional democratic rule-of-law foundation of the Republic of China.

Weng blamed the dispute on the executive branch’s refusal to countersign laws passed by the legislature after their third reading. She said the cuts and freezes to confidential expenses, as well as a proposal affecting Cho’s salary for four months, were intended to check Lai and Cho. Weng accused the president and premier of being unfit for office and said the ruling Democratic Progressive Party had mobilized against her because the two leaders were unhappy with her actions.

She also accused the countersignature power of being used as political retaliation. Weng said eight laws had been selectively left unpublished within a year and announced that she would apply for a Guinness World Record. She argued that lawmakers had few remaining tools for oversight beyond budget review and urged the executive branch to fulfill what she described as its constitutional duty.

“

Next, I will apply for a Guinness World Record.