In recent years, several political scandals have broken out in Hualien County. Not long ago, former Yuli Township (玉里) mayor Tsai Chiu-lung (蔡秋龍) was sentenced to 11 years in the first instance for embezzlement of NT$70,000 in public funds.
In May, former Hualien County Government Civil Affairs Department head Ming Liang-chen (明良臻) was indicted for alleged breaches of personal information regarding recall petitions against Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Fu Kun-chi (傅?萁). After being released on bail, Ming has returned to the Hualien County Government, serving as a top secretary.
The “family politics” of Fu and his wife, Hualien County Commissioner Hsu Chen-wei (徐榛蔚), are rampant, demonstrating how local factions manipulate the system for their gain.
This is not just a problem of two officials; it is systemic. Hualien has long been criticized for its family and factional politics. Government should be a platform for public service, but it has become a tool for factional exchanges.
When the public sees a mayor embezzling public subsidies, or an indicted official returning to the county government thanks to his personal connections, we cannot help but wonder: Are so-called responsible politics just a show? Is integrity just empty talk?
What could truly change the situation is civil power, and such a democratic force in Hualien must not collapse. Despite investigations into corruption, as well as the media’s exposure of abuse of power, whether they can transform into institutional reform and political cleanup ultimately depends on whether people are willing to stand up to monitor the government. If we choose to remain silent, then fake resignations would become the norm.
Hualien’s civic groups should demand that the county government fully disclose its personnel and bidding processes.
They should show a clear stance when casting ballots to support integrity and reject black-box operations. Democracy is not just a vote every four years, but ongoing monitoring and action in our daily lives.
Today, the Hualien County Government is a private trading center of money and power for the Fu family and other political factions. Local residents should consolidate and maintain their strength, and launch a civil movement to directly uncover misconduct and monitor the government.
Only through civil awakening and the unity of power can Hualien avoid becoming a synonym for black-box politics.
Hsieh Chia-hao is a teacher at an elementary school in Hualien County.<>
Translated by Eddy Chang
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