An anonymous person has launched a campaign on the Threads social media platform to recall Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao (高虹安).
Calling on people to take part in the first stage of the recall, which involves collecting signatures, the campaign initiator says Hsu is unfit for the post, listing issues such as an apartment complex fire in the city on May 26, and allegations that she allowed her boyfriend to exert undue influence in city affairs.
Kao has been charged with corruption, with a ruling expected on July 24.
Photo: CNA
Kao ranked second to last among 13 mayors in a policy satisfaction survey conducted by Global Views Monthly this year. The survey excluded mayors from the six special municipalities.
Keelung Mayor George Hsieh (謝國樑) ranked last, and civic groups have launched a recall campaign against him.
The Hsinchu City Government yesterday said that it respects the netizen’s political remarks and each citizen’s free will to express their personal opinion.
A recent media poll found that 60 percent of Hsinchu residents are in favor of Kao’s administration, although that indicates that more effort is needed from Kao’s team to win over the remaining 40 percent, the city government said.
It added that it would pursue tangible policies to improve Hsinchu residents’ welfare.
The Hsinchu Election Commission said it has not yet received a recall proposal from the petitioner.
In the first stage of a recall campaign, a proposal requires signatures from at least 1 percent of the constituency to be approved, while the second stage requires signatures from at least 10 percent of the constituency, the commission said.
The constituency votes in the third stage, and a recall is only passed if the number of valid “yes” ballots outnumbers the number of “no” ballots and makes up more one-fourth of all eligible voters in the electoral district, it said.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The