The pan-blue opposition yesterday demanded that Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Mei-yueh (
"Of course it would be easy to quit now, but that wouldn't solve the problem," she said. "The most important thing right now is to get the water back on. I promise I will not remain in my position if I am found to be responsible and cannot meet a new timetable."
Ho's remarks drew a round of applause from Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) lawmakers, who had invited her and Water Resources Agency Director-General Chen Shen-hsien (
PHOTO: HSIEH WU-HSIUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Throwing his backing behind Ho, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip William Lai (
"Everybody should just shut up and help the government solve the problem," he said.
After yesterday's briefing, Chen confirmed that he had offered his resignation in person to his superviser, Ho, in the morning, but was asked to stay in his post.
Chen revealed that it was not the minister's fault that Premier Frank Hsieh (
With Taoyuan County Commissioner Chu Li-lun (朱立倫) looking on, Hsieh yesterday apologized to county residents for making an empty promise during an inspection trip to Shihmen Dam (石門水庫).
Chu asked the premier to pressure the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Water Resources Agency and Taiwan Water Supply Corp tell the county exactly when they can expect the water supply to be fully restored. He also asked the national government to fix the county's regular water supply problems, which usually occur in the wake of a typhoon.
Upset by the premier's false promise, opposition People First Party (PFP) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucuses yesterday jointly requested the resignations of Hsieh and Ho.
"The premier should step down for making defamatory remarks about Chu, who speaks up for his residents and asks for help from the government," said KMT caucus whip Cho Po-yuan (
KMT Legislator Tsai Chin-lung (
Chin Hui-chu (
She also said that Chu might want to give up his plan to ask the government to include Taoyuan in the eight-year flood-fighting package, because the root of the county's water supply problem is not a lack of money, but rather the government's incompetence and inefficiency.
Yang Wei-fu (
also see story:
Anger mounts as water woes continue
FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION: The UK would continue to reinforce ties with Taiwan ‘in a wide range of areas’ as a part of a ‘strong unofficial relationship,’ a paper said The UK plans to conduct more freedom of navigation operations in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy told the British House of Commons on Tuesday. British Member of Parliament Desmond Swayne said that the Royal Navy’s HMS Spey had passed through the Taiwan Strait “in pursuit of vital international freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.” Swayne asked Lammy whether he agreed that it was “proper and lawful” to do so, and if the UK would continue to carry out similar operations. Lammy replied “yes” to both questions. The
‘OF COURSE A COUNTRY’: The president outlined that Taiwan has all the necessary features of a nation, including citizens, land, government and sovereignty President William Lai (賴清德) discussed the meaning of “nation” during a speech in New Taipei City last night, emphasizing that Taiwan is a country as he condemned China’s misinterpretation of UN Resolution 2758. The speech was the first in a series of 10 that Lai is scheduled to give across Taiwan. It is the responsibility of Taiwanese citizens to stand united to defend their national sovereignty, democracy, liberty, way of life and the future of the next generation, Lai said. This is the most important legacy the people of this era could pass on to future generations, he said. Lai went on to discuss
AMENDMENT: Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of high-temperature days, affecting economic productivity and public health, experts said The Central Weather Administration (CWA) is considering amending the Meteorological Act (氣象法) to classify “high temperatures” as “hazardous weather,” providing a legal basis for work or school closures due to extreme heat. CWA Administrator Lu Kuo-chen (呂國臣) yesterday said the agency plans to submit the proposed amendments to the Executive Yuan for review in the fourth quarter this year. The CWA has been monitoring high-temperature trends for an extended period, and the agency contributes scientific data to the recently established High Temperature Response Alliance led by the Ministry of Environment, Lu said. The data include temperature, humidity, radiation intensity and ambient wind,
SECOND SPEECH: All political parties should work together to defend democracy, protect Taiwan and resist the CCP, despite their differences, the president said President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday discussed how pro-Taiwan and pro-Republic of China (ROC) groups can agree to maintain solidarity on the issue of protecting Taiwan and resisting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The talk, delivered last night at Taoyuan’s Hakka Youth Association, was the second in a series of 10 that Lai is scheduled to give across Taiwan. Citing Taiwanese democracy pioneer Chiang Wei-shui’s (蔣渭水) slogan that solidarity brings strength, Lai said it was a call for political parties to find consensus amid disagreements on behalf of bettering the nation. All political parties should work together to defend democracy, protect Taiwan and resist