Taiwan Lawmakers Criticize Slow Progress on Indigenous Radio Stations

Taiwanese lawmakers have voiced strong criticism over the protracted delays in establishing Indigenous radio stations across the island. During a legislative session, members of the interior committee questioned the Indigenous Peoples Commission regarding the slow pace of development for the broadcast signal transmission and monitoring systems, as well as the installation of related base stations.

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The Indigenous Peoples Radio Station construction is still not meeting its goals, which deprives remote tribal members of their rights. If these are technical issues, they should not be difficult to solve.

Legislators from both the ruling and opposition parties highlighted the significant delays. One legislator pointed out that the project, which began in 2017 with a plan to complete 20 broadcasting stations within 10 months, has only seen three stations become operational over the past decade. This slow progress, they argued, deprives remote Indigenous communities of their right to access information and cultural programming.

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The base station installation project for Indigenous radio began in 2017, originally planned for 10 months to complete 20 broadcasting stations, but after 10 years, only 3 stations are completed, with severe delays.

Chen Kun-sheng, director of the Indigenous Peoples Commission's Cultural and Education Department, attributed the delays to several factors. These include a contractor's breach of contract, difficulties in acquiring suitable land, and the need for inter-departmental coordination. He stated that out of the originally planned 37 transmission stations, 32 have been completed and licensed as of last year, achieving an 86% execution rate. The remaining five stations are expected to be fully operational by next year, with one facing specific terrain and land acquisition issues. The commission is considering co-locating the remaining stations with existing private or national broadcasters to expedite the process.

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The project encountered issues during the performance period because the contractor refused to continue performance, and there were disputes. We will re-procure and demand compensation from the contractor, listing them as a bad supplier.

In response to concerns about the "Sea-Land - Austronesian Voyaging Project," which recently saw a traditional plank boat retrace a historic route to Batan Island, legislators also raised questions about safety and planning. The commission assured that thorough safety assessments and contingency plans were in place, though unexpected wave conditions presented challenges. While the voyaging project cannot be undertaken annually, the commission plans to continue cultural exchanges and has allocated budget for related activities next year. The results of the voyage will also be promoted to Indigenous communities worldwide.

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The plan underwent thorough safety assessments and contingency mechanisms, but unexpected rogue waves occurred. The team responded according to established safety procedures.