Taiwan Mayor Criticized Over Residency; Commentator Slams Officials Living Outside Their Cities

Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng faced criticism after a student jokingly referred to him as the "Xindian Mayor" during a high school graduation ceremony. The remark, which alluded to Chang's residence in Xindian, New Taipei City, rather than Taoyuan, sparked a strong reaction from a Taoyuan city councilor from the Kuomintang party.

The councilor publicly condemned the student, labeling them "ill-mannered" and a product of "educational failure." This public denouncement reportedly led to supporters of the councilor and the mayor to engage in doxxing the student online. Media commentator Zhan Ling-yu criticized this response, arguing that the student merely pointed out a fact and was unfairly targeted.

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This is the most tragic and absurd situation, where officials treat their governing cities as if they are just clocking in and out of work.

Zhan further elaborated on what she described as a "sad reality" within the Kuomintang party's governance: officials who do not reside in the cities they govern. She cited the example of Keelung Mayor George Hsieh, who commutes daily from Taipei's Neihu district. Zhan characterized this behavior as treating their governing cities like a "punch-in, punch-out" job, lacking a genuine connection to the residents' needs and local issues.

"If pointing out their place of residence is considered an insult, why did they run for mayor in the first place?" Zhan questioned. She argued that this disconnect between officials and their constituents, who use taxpayer money while living elsewhere, represents a "tragic and absurd" aspect of local governance.

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If pointing out their place of residence is considered an insult, why did they run for mayor in the first place?