TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — TPP founding member and influencer Chu Hui-jung (朱蕙蓉) accused the party of political oppression on Sunday (Dec. 1) after its Central Evaluation Committee (TPPCEC) summoned her for a Tuesday meeting.
The committee wants Chu to explain her comments on Saturday about a QR code linked to former Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je's (柯文哲) presidential campaign which she suggested was connected to Muko Public Relations Company (木可公關公司) and other related issues during a television program. The TPP has denied Chu's remarks saying that the QR code was linked to Ko’s small-dollar donation website, per CNA.
The party accused the program’s host and guests of failing to verify Chu’s claims and damaging the TPP's reputation.
In response, Chu shared the TPPCEC’s invitation on Facebook, criticizing the committee for not providing evidence for the alleged violation of TPP disciplinary guidelines, specifically Article 22, which prohibits members from making baseless accusations against the party on media platforms. She also defended her actions, asserting they were in line with Article 9, Section 1 of the TPP’s charter, which grants members the right to comment and offer recommendations on party matters, per CNA.
Chu said she would not attend Tuesday’s meeting until all relevant information regarding the accusations was made public. She accused the TPP of violating its founding principles and procedural justice, claiming the actions against her were due to instructions from TPP caucus leader Chen Chih-han (陳智菡).
On Monday, Chen denied orchestrating the disciplinary action against Chu, emphasizing that multiple complaints had been filed against Chu. Chen expressed uncertainty about the basis of Chu’s claims, indicating there was significant misinformation surrounding the fundraising campaign, per NOWnews.
Chu also threatened to leave the TPP with her husband, Yang Hsing-chang (楊行昌), if the TPPCEC decided to expel them.
On Sunday, former TPP Legislator Tsai Pi-ru (蔡壁如) urged Chu to refrain from commenting on the ongoing investigation into the QR code issue. Tsai suggested the party should avoid escalating tensions between its members and leadership, per CNA.
