TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said legislative amendments passed by the opposition parties on Tuesday (May 28) were on the agenda for 30 years.
The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and TPP passed controversial bills on Tuesday that grant the legislature greater oversight powers. The amendments faced strong opposition from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which repeated the slogan "no discussion, no democracy” to criticize what it called a lack of discussion before the bills turned into law.
However, Ko in a statement on Tuesday rejected the DPP's assertion that the bills had not been adequately discussed. He said the topic of legislative amendments had been under discussion for 30 years, adding the DPP supported the changes during its time in opposition.
“I never imagined the one who would block legislative reform is now the DPP, which has insisted on legislative reform for many years,” the TPP chair said.
Ko said the amendments bolster Taiwan's democracy by establishing checks and balances and the decentralization necessary for the country’s long-term stability. He said that under Taiwan’s five-power system of government, the Legislative Yuan has never received enough power, leaving it unable to supervise the Executive Yuan or other branches.
Under the new amendments, the legislature has “investigative rights" to form committees, access documents, and hold hearings. The amendments also punish those who commit "contempt of the legislature," change the nomination process involving key government positions, and call on the president to give an annual state address to lawmakers and take their questions.
Ko said that during the past eight years of DPP control, “the Legislative Yuan had been reduced to a rubber stamp for the Executive Yuan.” He said that Taiwan needs a strong and powerful legislature, not one that is only controlled by the executive ruling authority.
Ko also accused the DPP of being “addicted to one-party dominance.” He said, “To consolidate its basic supporters, the DPP closed the door and refused to listen … and anyone who disagrees with their opinions will be labeled as following the Chinese Communist Party.”
Ko called the amendments on Tuesday “a major milestone in the history of Taiwan's democracy.” He appealed to President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and the DPP by saying, “Please believe the opposition party is your competitor, not your enemy.”
