The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday traded barbs over comments by Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), the KMT’s presidential candidate, which DPP politicians called improper and sexist.
At a rally in Changhua County’s Yuanlin City (員林) on Monday, Han said that farmers are often DPP supporters, but their lives are getting worse, while the lives of DPP officials are improving.
Han cited the “fair skin and slightly plump figures” of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) and Keelung Mayor Lin Yu-chang (林右昌), all members of the DPP, as proof that they are leading better lives.
Photo: Hsu Li-chuan, Taipei Times
In contrast, he cited the “dark complexion and thin physiques” of Changhua County Commissioner Wang Hui-mei (王惠美), Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), all of the KMT, to highlight how hard-working they are.
Tsai yesterday said that a person’s ability is not related to their complexion or size, adding that Cheng is considered a “top-notch mayor” according to public opinion polls, while Han ranked last in one recent survey.
People should refrain from personal attacks, regardless of what happens during the elections, Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said, adding that it is inappropriate to comment on a woman’s physique.
Huang said that he did not understand the correlation between the ability to govern and complexion or size, adding that criticizing others based on their size is disrespectful and unbecoming of a mayor.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (林鄭月娥) could be considered thin and dark of complexion, while US President Donald Trump is fair and plump, Huang said.
“Who’s better in Han’s books?” he asked.
Former New Taipei City mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫) of the KMT said that Han’s comments should be taken as speaking out for local municipalities.
The comment that Hou and Lu were “thin and dark” meant that they spend more time engaging with grassroots voters and that their respective cities receive less funding from the central government, both in direct subsidies and the distribution of centrally allocated tax revenue, Chu said.
It is more important to focus on results than appearances, he added.
Han said that his comments were a metaphor meant to prod people and wake them up.
Han said that during his campaigning he saw how most people — especially hardcore supporters of the DPP — are struggling with life, adding that the more hardcore the supporters, the more difficult their lives are.
If the DPP refrained from “living the high life” and stopped showering different groups within the party with monetary favors, then it could truly work for the public, he said.
Additional reporting by Shen Pei-yao and Tsai Wen-chu
‘DENIAL DEFENSE’: The US would increase its military presence with uncrewed ships, and submarines, while boosting defense in the Indo-Pacific, a Pete Hegseth memo said The US is reorienting its military strategy to focus primarily on deterring a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a memo signed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth showed. The memo also called on Taiwan to increase its defense spending. The document, known as the “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” was distributed this month and detailed the national defense plans of US President Donald Trump’s administration, an article in the Washington Post said on Saturday. It outlines how the US can prepare for a potential war with China and defend itself from threats in the “near abroad,” including Greenland and the Panama
The High Prosecutors’ Office yesterday withdrew an appeal against the acquittal of a former bank manager 22 years after his death, marking Taiwan’s first instance of prosecutors rendering posthumous justice to a wrongfully convicted defendant. Chu Ching-en (諸慶恩) — formerly a manager at the Taipei branch of BNP Paribas — was in 1999 accused by Weng Mao-chung (翁茂鍾), then-president of Chia Her Industrial Co, of forging a request for a fixed deposit of US$10 million by I-Hwa Industrial Co, a subsidiary of Chia Her, which was used as collateral. Chu was ruled not guilty in the first trial, but was found guilty
A wild live dugong was found in Taiwan for the first time in 88 years, after it was accidentally caught by a fisher’s net on Tuesday in Yilan County’s Fenniaolin (粉鳥林). This is the first sighting of the species in Taiwan since 1937, having already been considered “extinct” in the country and considered as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A fisher surnamed Chen (陳) went to Fenniaolin to collect the fish in his netting, but instead caught a 3m long, 500kg dugong. The fisher released the animal back into the wild, not realizing it was an endangered species at
DEADLOCK: As the commission is unable to forum a quorum to review license renewal applications, the channel operators are not at fault and can air past their license date The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that the Public Television Service (PTS) and 36 other television and radio broadcasters could continue airing, despite the commission’s inability to meet a quorum to review their license renewal applications. The licenses of PTS and the other channels are set to expire between this month and June. The National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that the commission must meet the mandated quorum of four to hold a valid meeting. The seven-member commission currently has only three commissioners. “We have informed the channel operators of the progress we have made in reviewing their license renewal applications, and