Taiwanese lawmakers cut NT$30 million from presidential fund, angering public

Taiwan's legislature has approved a proposal to cut or freeze NT$30 million from the Presidential Office's "State Affairs Fund." The move, spearheaded by Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Hung Tzu-yung and others, has drawn significant public backlash, particularly for its impact on sheltered workshops and disadvantaged groups.

The Presidential Office had planned to use the fund to purchase 15,000 Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes from 37 sheltered workshops and organizations supporting the disabled. This decision now jeopardizes the orders, raising concerns about the employment rights of individuals with disabilities.

Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Ho Chih-wei appealed to lawmakers, explaining the budget's purpose and urging them not to eliminate it entirely. Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu also attempted to mediate, but the proposal to reduce the budget by NT$10 million and freeze NT$20 million was ultimately passed in the third reading.

Veteran journalist Huang Wei-han commented on the situation, stating that while legislators have the authority to review and cut budgets, the public will ultimately decide whether to support their actions through future elections. The decision has ignited anger online, with many netizens criticizing the legislators for what they perceive as politically motivated actions that disregard the welfare of vulnerable populations.