The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has broken its promise of working toward national development with its disruption yesterday of legislative proceedings and boycotting a review of the budget for the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus said.
Protesting against what they called illegal budgeting practices, KMT lawmakers occupied the rostrum ahead of a plenary session at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, turning chairs into barricades to prevent Premier Lin Chuan (林全) and his Cabinet from delivering a formal report and defending the program’s proposed budget.
The session was adjourned due to an incident in which KMT Legislator Hsu Shu-hua (許淑華) fought with DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩), with Hsu slapping Chiu during a scuffle.
Photo: Huang Chung-shan, Taipei Times
The DPP caucus condemned the KMT’s actions, saying parts of the program were proposed by KMT legislators during elections, adding that the boycott was an apparent reversal of their positions.
DPP Legislator Yeh Yi-chin (葉宜津) said the budget was proposed in accordance with the law, adding that a review of the budget is required in four years to modify and terminate unreasonable projects.
The Cabinet is legally prohibited from financing infrastructure projects that have not passed a feasibility assessment, but the KMT has refused to engage in a rational debate, Yeh said.
KMT Legislator John Wu (吳志揚), when running for Taoyuan mayor in 2014, proposed the development of an MRT system in the city, but he now opposes the program, which proposes just that, DPP Legislator Wu Ping-jui (吳秉叡) said.
“Is he admitting that he was proposing an incorrect policy?” Wu Ping-jui said.
The KMT caucus has been “hijacked” by deep-blue supporters to oppose the program for the sake of opposition, which is detrimental to the nation’s development, he added.
Taipei and New Taipei City should not be the only cities entitled to better infrastructure, Wu Ping-jui said, adding that the preliminary budget is necessary to assess and roll out infrastructure plans.
The DPP also condemned violence by KMT lawmakers, demanding an apology from Hsu.
Hsu’s actions were “out of bounds,” and a public apology is required, DPP spokesman Juan Chao-hsiung (阮昭雄) said.
The DPP urges solidarity across party lines for the nation’s development and improved living standards, Juan added.
The government will ensure transparency and efficiency in executing each of the infrastructure projects to achieve maximum social benefit, the party said.
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
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