2024-12-17
KMT Violently Prevents Legislators from Convening
Lin Yu-chang: Calling on Rational Citizens to Protect Democracy
Yesterday (16th) in the Legislative Yuan, the KMT violently prevented DPP legislators from attending meetings and forcibly rammed through the Public Officials Election and Recall Act. Such acts aimed at the destruction of democracy, the demolition of constitutional order, and the instigation of political chaos have caused much public anguish and outcry. DPP Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang remarked today (17th) on the DPP Lunch Livestream channel, that the challenges of our time are not simply about partisan interest, but rather require the attention of rational supporters of all political parties to highlight its importance to society. We must all jointly safeguard Taiwan’s democracy.
Lin remarked that every instance of Fu Kun-chi’s return to Taiwan from China has become a time of chaos in the Legislative Yuan. This April, following Fu’s return from China, he put forth legislation intended to expand parliamentary power that was later deemed unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court. This time, following his return from Hong Kong, he doubled down by implementing martial law in the Legislative Yuan. This begs the question of whether the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party are attempting to exploit the political vacuum created by the pending transition of power in the United States to undermine Taiwan.
Lin criticized that while past legislative battles were conducted within certain bounds, yesterday the KMT used violence to block DPP and TPP legislators from entering the committee. What was even more outrageous was that the KMT imposed martial law in the legislature, unilaterally reading and passing amendments in the Internal Administration Committee. This is an unprecedented and outrageous act, even throughout the process of Taiwan's democratization. If the KMT continues to behave in such a chaotic manner, it will inevitably destroy democracy and lead to the effective closure of the Legislative Yuan.
Lin stated that KMT Chairperson Eric Chu should bear the greatest responsibility for allowing the actions of his party's legislative caucus. Additionally, Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu was already well aware of the situation but failed to intervene. Lin called on Han to take swift action to address the KMT’s unlawful conduct.
Lin reiterated that the DPP has protected Taiwanese society all along in light of the challenges of our time. Starting tomorrow, civil society groups will come forward. The DPP calls upon rational supporters of all political parties to voice out support for the DPP legislative caucus’ defense of democracy in the Legislative Yuan, empower legislators of the DPP caucus, drive public awareness of this issue, and jointly safeguard Taiwan’s democracy.
