Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators said yesterday their party membership had been suspended because they failed to raise enough money for the party.
Yu Tian (余天) and Lin Shu-fen (林淑芬), two DPP legislators from Taipei County, appeared not to have voted in the primary to choose the candidates for the party’s Taipei County councilor yesterday. Their offices said they had been suspended over fundraising matters.
DPP Legislator Tien Chiu-chin (田秋堇) said she had been suspended for not raising enough money.
DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) told reporters the party had asked its legislators to raise NT$500,000 annually for the party and that they would be suspended if they failed to collect the required amount.
“As far as I know, half of the DPP legislators have had difficulty gathering that amount and feel embarrassed,” Ker said.
He said that fundraising had become more difficult because the party’s political influence dwindled after it lost the presidential and legislative elections last year, adding that the economic downturn had dealt a significant blow to corporate donations.
“We all know the party needs money to operate and we will continue to work on that,” Ker said.
Chairperson Tsai Ing-Wen (蔡英文) requires NT$10 million (US$296,000) annually for the party, Ker said.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
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A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
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