Information she requested from the Ministry of National Defense is not confidential, and people have the right to know, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Legislator Lin Yi-chun (林憶君) said yesterday in response to questions that she was collecting sensitive data on the operations of critical infrastructure.
Lin on Wednesday invited Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) and other officials to a meeting with the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, of which Lin is convener, to report on the countermeasures against the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s “gray zone” warfare tactics and “anaconda” strategy in terms of key industries, critical infrastructure, energy independence and food security.
An official who requested anonymity told the Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) that the legislature mischaracterized the policy to develop a “resilient Taiwan” as cultivating a militia, while systematically collecting relevant data despite explanations from the executive branch.
Photo: Chen Yi-kuan, Taipei Times
“The handling of such data might be beyond the legislative power of oversight,” they added.
Lin yesterday said the administration of President William Lai (賴清德) should be open and transparent with information in its collaboration with civic groups on defense resilience.
The legislature oversees the executive branch to ensure people’s right to know, she said, adding that the official who accused her of intelligence gathering did not even dare to reveal their name.
Lin also said she would have convened a confidential meeting if the data were sensitive.
TPP caucus whip Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) condemned the official for anonymously defaming Lin and opposition parties.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus secretary-general Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) yesterday before a DPP caucus meeting told reporters that concerns were raised about Chinese agents who are tasked with collecting intelligence on national security and defense from the executive branch.
The proceedings added up to a “plot” to undermine Taiwan’s whole-of-society defense security, as Lin scheduled the meeting following the draft amendments to the Civil Defense Act (民防法) that had been proposed by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯), she said.
Therefore, the DPP caucus yesterday took pre-emptive action by motioning a bill to enhance defense of national security, Hsu said, adding she hoped the bill would soon be slated for review.
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
EVA Airways today confirmed the death of a flight attendant on Saturday upon their return to Taiwan and said an internal investigation has been launched, as criticism mounted over a social media post accusing the airline of failing to offer sufficient employee protections. According to the post, the flight attendant complained of feeling sick on board a flight, but was unable to take sick leave or access medical care. The crew member allegedly did not receive assistance from the chief purser, who failed to heed their requests for medical attention or call an ambulance once the flight landed, the post said. As sick
The Taichung District Court yesterday confirmed its final ruling that the marriage between teenage heir Lai (賴) and a man surnamed Hsia (夏) was legally invalid, preventing Hsia from inheriting Lai’s NT$500 million (US$16.37 million) estate. The court confirmed that Hsia chose not to appeal the civil judgement after the court handed down its ruling in June, making the decision final. In the June ruling, the court said that Lai, 18, and Hsia, 26, showed “no mutual admiration before the marriage” and that their interactions were “distant and unfamiliar.” The judge concluded that the couple lacked the “true intention of
A drunk woman was sexually assaulted inside a crowded concourse of Taipei Railway Station on Thursday last week before a foreign tourist notified police, leading to calls for better education on bystander intervention and review of security infrastructure. The man, surnamed Chiu (邱), was taken into custody on charges of sexual assault, taking advantage of the woman’s condition and public indecency. Police discovered that Chiu was a fugitive with prior convictions for vehicle theft. He has been taken into custody and is to complete his unserved six-month sentence, police said. On Thursday last week, Chiu was seen wearing a white
RSS