Taiwan Parliament Speaker Han Kuo-yu slams absent party whip

Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu publicly rebuked Kuomintang (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi for his repeated absences from crucial budget negotiation sessions. Han's frustration boiled over during a meeting on the central government's budget for fiscal year 2026, where Fu's absence for the fifth time prompted the speaker to question the effectiveness of the KMT caucus's participation.

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Who told you to be so arrogant, and take paid leave in broad daylight? If you did something wrong, just say it, it's not that difficult.

During the heated session, Han directly confronted KMT legislator Lin Pei-hsiang, demanding to know if his signature held validity when the party whip was consistently absent. Initially hesitant, Lin was pressed by Han to speak into his microphone, acknowledging that his signature could not represent the entire caucus under such circumstances. This exchange highlighted the internal tensions and procedural challenges within the KMT regarding Fu's leadership.

Critics, including members of the Taiwan Youth Democratic Association, have accused Fu Kun-chi of shirking his responsibilities, likening his absences to "paid leave." They point to previous instances where Fu allegedly missed sessions, including one budget negotiation where he reportedly used expletives and caused the meeting to be terminated. His presence at other events, such as the International Junior Games in Hualien, has also drawn scrutiny, with critics questioning his commitment to legislative duties.

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The whip is absent again and again, does your signature count?

The article suggests a pattern of behavior, recalling a similar situation last year when Fu was reportedly absent from budget negotiations due to illness, only to be revealed as having traveled to Hong Kong. This history fuels accusations that Fu is prioritizing personal matters over his legislative role, with some critics sarcastically suggesting he should resign as whip or even as a legislator if he wishes to take extended time off.

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My signature cannot represent the party caucus.