UPDATE: 6pm
The legislature on Tuesday passed a set of controversial legislative reform bills into law that seek to expand the chamber’s powers of investigation and introduce fines for holding the legislature in contempt.
More than 10,000 protesters had amassed outside by 4pm as opposition lawmakers voted through the bills using their majority an hour later. More demonstrators were expected to arrive throughout the evening.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
The last time the legislature deliberated the bills on Friday last week, more than 100,000 people took to the streets outside in protest.
Critics say the proposals are unconstitutional and were forced through without proper cross-party deliberation. They have also expressed concern that the bills were not fully considered and would lead to problems when trying in implementation.
All of the opposition-proposed amendments passed the third reading except for changes to the Criminal Code that would impose a fine of up to NT$200,000 and jail time of up to one year on public officials who lie during a legislative hearing.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
Opponents have previously called on the president and Cabinet to return the bills to the legislature for reconsideration. Democratic Progressive Party caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) has also vowed to file for a constitutional interpretation.
Included in the approved amendments are contempt of legislature penalties of up to NT$200,000 for failing to appear at a hearing, refusing to answer questions, asking questions back to lawmakers, failing to provide requested documents or lying, with different fine ranges depending on the type of investigation or hearing.
They would also require officials to hand over confidential documents to lawmakers for viewing in private hearings, and compel the president to submit to regular question-and-answer sessions at the legislature.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
Earlier in the day, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers rushed to the podium at 7am to ensure control of proceedings after lining up in front of the entrance the afternoon before.
KMT caucus convener Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) in the morning said that KMT and Taiwan People’s Party lawmakers had signed an agreement to vote by machine while sitting at their seats.
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) held past rounds of voting by a show of hands in a deviation from precedent.
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