Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) yesterday used a Chinese idiom to suggest that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) should deal with its own problems, after President William Lai (賴清德) urged Han to lead lawmakers across party lines in supporting DPP Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋), whom China is investigating for promoting “Taiwanese independence.”
“Untying the bell requires the person who fastened it” (解鈴還須繫鈴人), Han said, using an idiom meaning that only the person who started a problem can fix it.
China’s state-run Xinhua news agency late last month reported that Shen is being probed by the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau on allegations of “secession-related” criminal activities, including launching the civil defense organization Kuma Academy.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
The investigation is being carried out under China’s criminal law and Beijing’s 22 guidelines on how to penalize “Taiwanese independence separatists,” the report said.
Lai on Tuesday expressed hope that Han would uphold the dignity of the legislature and protect freedom of speech by supporting Shen.
Han said that as legislative speaker, it is his responsibility to ensure the freedom of speech, personal safety and protection from intimidation or threats for all lawmakers during legislative inquiries.
“This is part of the speaker’s duty, and we will do everything in our power to protect the rights and interests of every legislator,” he said.
However, as to speaking up for Shen, Han said: “When someone is sick, they make others take the medicine.”
The speaker added that much like a table, Taiwan’s security is supported by four legs.
“The first leg of Taiwan’s security is maintaining the Republic of China (ROC); the second leg is safeguarding our democracy and freedom; the third leg is maintaining strong Taiwan-US relations; the fourth leg is ensuring cross-strait peace,” he said.
Lai and the DPP have broken three of them, said Han, a Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator.
“The DPP’s pro-independence party platform is right there; how can they protect the ROC? Lai has spent the past year launching large-scale recall campaigns; how can they safeguard Taiwan’s democracy and freedom? Lai has declared China an external hostile force; how can they maintain cross-strait peace? Now, only one leg remains: maintaining strong Taiwan-US relations,” he said.
If Lai truly wants to help Shen, he should consider how to repair the legs, Han said.
Lai, as DPP chairman, should abolish the party’s Taiwanese independence platform, restore positive interactions between the executive and legislative branches, and retract the designation of China as a hostile external force, he said.
The DPP said it was regrettable that Han remains silent as a legislator is subjected to cross-border suppression by an authoritarian regime, and that after Lai’s call for action, he resorted to criticism, demonstrating a misunderstanding of Taiwan’s democracy and freedom.
There is no trace of the dignity and responsibility that the speaker should embody, it added.
DPP caucus secretary-general Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) accused Han of standing with the perpetrators.
It is the KMT’s submissive attitude that is undermining cross-strait and regional peace, she added.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) responded to Han with an analogy.
“There are two dishes on the table: one is the KMT head participating in a ceremony honoring communist spies, and the other is China launching a global manhunt for an ROC lawmaker. As the speaker of the Legislative Yuan, why has Han remained silent?” Cho said, adding that Han should give the public a clear answer.
Additional reporting by Lee Wen-hsin
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS