Taipei's five mayoral candidates clashed in a televised debate yesterday as they touted their platform for transforming the capital into an internationally competitive city.
However, the debate rapidly turned into questions about integrity with Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei mayoral candidate Hau Lung-bin (
The four other candidates took turns in questioning Hau, who has been leading the pack in polls, over his political loyalty and integrity in dealing with the utility bill issue.
PHOTO: FANG PIN-CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
Taiwan Solidarity Union candidate Clara Chou (周玉蔻), who was expelled by her party on Thursday for refusing to toe the party line in opposing the pan-blue initiated third recall motion against the president, grilled Hau over the utility bill issue during the cross-questioning session in the debate.
"Aside from the utility bill issue, you have admitted that your telephone bills have been paid for by the government and you promised to return the money. Where is the money now?" Chou asked.
Hau has been accused of taking advantage of his father's privileges as a former premier to have the government pay his utility bills.
Independent candidate Li Ao (
"He was a New Party member, a DPP [Democratic Progressive Party] government official, and is now representing the KMT in the election. It's quite contradictory," said Soong, who asked for "time-off" from his People First Party chairmanship to run as an independent in the race.
Hau, a former Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) head, shrugged off the attacks, and lashed out at DPP candidate candidate Frank Hsieh (
"The prosecutors listed you as one of the defendants in the corruption case ... We don't need a corrupt mayor in Taipei," Hau said.
Turning on Hsieh, Li blamed him for the DPP's decision to support the president even after the recent indictment of first lady Wu Shu-jen on corruption charges.
"If you don't separate yourself from the corrupt president, how can you persuade residents that you would be a good mayor with integrity?" Li said.
While saying that he respected his party's consensus on the issue, Hsieh sought to switch the debate back to his campaign platform, which includes cleaning up the Tamsui River, renovating old communities and bringing hope to Taipei residents by applying to host the 2020 Olympic Games.
Hau also put the Tamsui River cleanup project as his main campaign platform, while vowing to promote integrity among the city government's staff.
Soong said that as the next mayor, he would fight the central government to win more budget and power for the city government.
As the lone female candidate, Chou promised to establish a female-friendly city and urged voters to eliminate "male politics" by voting for her.
While the four candidates outlined their government program, Li lashed out at both the president and incumbent Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
"I can't promise you that I will solve the vendor issue or traffic problems in Taipei ... Don't believe those candidates' platforms. They never fulfill their promises," Li said when responding to a questioned raised by a resident, who asked Li to offer solutions to the city's illegal vendor issue.
Yesterday's debate, hosted by the TVBS station, was the first time the five candidates trashed out their campaign platforms in a debate setting.
The station also invited 30 randomly selected Taipei residents to watch the debate with opportunities to raise questions.
Meanwhile, Ma, who also serves as the KMT chairman, yesterday dismissed allegations made in a story by the Chinese-language United Daily News yesterday that the KMT would propose a fourth recall motion against the president if the party wins the Taipei and Kaohsiung mayoral elections on Dec. 9.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS