The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus does not plan to boycott the premier’s first report to the legislature on Friday, Executive Yuan spokesman Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) said on Monday, amid rumors of a blockade as controversy rages over a set of controversial legislative reform bills.
KMT caucus convener Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) in an extension of goodwill toward the Cabinet has vowed not to boycott Premier Cho Jung-tai’s (卓榮泰) first report to the legislature scheduled for Friday, Chen told reporters.
Chen also wishes that this goodwill could extend to the people, so that recent disputes in the legislature could reach an amenable conclusion, Chen said.
Photo: CNA
Cho has always respected the right of the people to express their opinion, and admires the courage of those protesting nationwide, he said.
The premier looks forward to a positive response from the legislature so that the people no longer need to take to the streets out of concern, braving the elements and taking leave from work in some cases, he added.
The legislature on Tuesday is set to deliberate in the second reading the last in a set of legislative reform bills.
The only bill awaiting passage to the third and final reading is a change to the Criminal Code that would impose a prison sentence of up to a year and a fine of up to NT$200,000 on government officials for lying during legislative hearings.
Civil groups have called for a fourth day of protests outside of the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday against what they say is legislative overreach, forced through the legislative process through opaque means.
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