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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Taiwanese Legislator's Outburst Over Election Law Amendment Sparks Political Row

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Taiwanese legislator Lin Shu-fen verbally attacked legislator Hsu Chung-hsin during a legislative session, calling him "speeding boy" and accusing him of lacking integrity.
  • The confrontation occurred after a legislative amendment, perceived by some as a "Gao Hung-an clause," was passed with support from the opposition parties.
  • A media commentator criticized Hsu, suggesting he abandoned his political principles for a legislative seat.

A heated exchange erupted in Taiwan's legislature when Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Lin Shu-fen confronted Taiwan People's Party (TPP) legislator Hsu Chung-hsin, loudly denouncing him as a "speeding boy" and accusing him of sacrificing his principles for a legislative position. The incident occurred on June 12, 2026, following the passage of an amendment to the "Public Servants Election and Recall Act," which critics have dubbed the "Gao Hung-an clause."

Speeding boy! You have no integrity just to become a legislator!

— Lin Shu-fenDirectly confronting and verbally attacking legislator Hsu Chung-hsin during a legislative session.

The amendment, passed with a majority vote supported by the Kuomintang (KMT) and TPP, modifies the conditions under which individuals are disqualified from holding office. Specifically, it adds a provision stating that those sentenced to suspended prison terms or alternative community service are not subject to disqualification. The DPP has criticized this change, with legislator Wang Ting-yu suggesting the TPP was attempting to "help Lin Shu-fen" by passing the amendment.

Lin Shu-fen confronted Hsu Chung-hsin, only to reprimand him!

— Wang Rui-deCommenting on the legislative confrontation on Facebook.

Lin's outburst saw her approach the TPP legislators' seating area, stomp on a TPP placard, and verbally attack Hsu. The TPP legislators remained silent during the confrontation. Media commentator Wang Rui-de further fueled the criticism on Facebook, expressing distrust in Hsu since his time as a Taiwan Solidarity Union legislator. Wang accused Hsu of abandoning his "Taiwanese faction" principles and being ungrateful for support.

Indeed, he is someone who speaks of benevolence and morality, but abandons the Taiwanese faction for a legislative seat. Friends at the Taiwan People's Club provide him free nonsense every week, yet he is ungrateful and willing to do anything!

— Wang Rui-deCriticizing legislator Hsu Chung-hsin's political actions and principles.

DPP legislator Lee Po-yi questioned the timing and motivation behind the amendment, playing a video of Hsu reportedly receiving a phone call from a "mayor" during a party negotiation. Lee alleged the amendment was tailored for Gao Hung-an, a TPP legislator facing legal challenges, and questioned whether the KMT would accept similar interventions from mayors. He urged against passing laws based on specific individuals, advocating for clear effective dates for any future amendments.

Is it acceptable for the Legislative Yuan to pass such a crude amendment after a mayor calls a legislator?

— Lee Po-yiQuestioning the legislative process and potential external influence on the amendment concerning Gao Hung-an.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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