Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
On Wednesday, the Legislature Yuan approved the budget for flood control measures along the Keelung River, but excluded an opposition proposal to finance Taipei City to the tune of NT$1.98 billion for the flood-proofing project.
Lawmakers also suggested that the Cabinet grant Taipei City NT$350 million for the treatment of the Neigou Creek (
After stressing on Wednesday that the legislature was risking the lives of Taipei residents, Ma yesterday leveled more severe criticism at the ruling party, which favors cutting Taipei City out of the NT$1.98 billion budget proposal, saying that the absurdity could be attributed entirely to political struggles.
"If everybody viewed things professionally, we wouldn't be wasting the people's time and money the way we are," Ma said.
In order to ensure the safety of residents and their property Ma said that building floodways along the Huang Creek, which is an upstream affluent of the Keelung River -- is necessary because the river is simply too narrow to absorb floodwaters.
Taking the Erchung Floodway (
In addition, Ma said, the Executive Yuan supports a flood diversion project of building floodways at Juifang (瑞芳), Taipei County. The floodways will funnel floodwaters from the Keelung River to the Pacific Ocean.
If the construction of floodways along the Huang Creek was delayed due to political struggle, Ma said, residents of Peitou (
Hwang Jing-san (
The Keelung River controversy continues to ripple through the campaign for Taipei City mayor.
Wednesday morning, after meeting with DPP Taipei City councilors, the DDP's Taipei mayoral candidate Lee Ying-yuan (
The City government later bashed Lee for his stance.
Yesterday afternoon, accompanied by dozens of Taipei residents, KMT City Councilwoman Li-Keng Kuei-fang (厲耿桂芳) and independent city councilor Chung Hsiao-ping (鍾小平) blocked Lee in a hallway and demanded that he return the budget for the treatment of the Keelung River to city residents.
Chuag claimed that he was hurt in the ensuing chaos after being pushed by Lee's security guards.
Lee remained silent while being blocked by the crowd. Later, he said that he saw the stand-off as the councilors' public show, made to attract voter attention.
"I would like to debate city policies with them in the future at the city council," Lee said.
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