TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former KMT Spokesperson Hsiao Ching-yan (蕭敬嚴) will face suspension for his criticism of party lawmakers, with the official document expected to reach the party’s disciplinary committee as early as Tuesday.
A member of the KMT New Taipei Branch disciplinary committee revealed the news on Tuesday, confirming that Hsiao would be suspended for his outspoken criticism of KMT colleagues, per TVBS. The decision follows Hsiao’s active involvement in pro-DPP TV programs during the recall campaigns against KMT lawmakers, where he repeatedly criticized his own party members.
Hsiao’s participation in the KMT New Taipei City Council primary sparked strong backlash from KMT lawmakers. The KMT confirmed it had received video evidence of Hsiao’s remarks and had forwarded the materials to the New Taipei branch for review. A disciplinary committee meeting was held on Monday, where it was decided that Hsiao would receive a one-year suspension.
Lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯), who publicly said she would not support Hsiao in the upcoming primary, commended the disciplinary committee’s decision, per NOWnews. Meanwhile, lawmaker Yeh Yuan-chih (葉元之) said the ideal punishment would be a three-year suspension, per China Times.
Yeh said Hsiao had previously reduced a three-year suspension, imposed for attacking former KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫), through procedural loopholes after KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) took office. Yeh argued that it made little sense to shorten Hsiao’s punishment while he continued to attack fellow party members during the recall campaigns.
Before the suspension was officially issued, KMT Taipei City Councilor Yu Shu-hui (游淑慧) criticized Hsiao’s comments on pro-DPP programs, suggesting they had crossed a line, per Storm Media. Yu compared Hsiao’s attacks on party members during the recall elections to hostile behavior, urging Hsiao to consider leaving the party if he insists on continuing his criticisms.
Previously, Cheng weighed in on the controversy, per Storm Media. She said she would not intervene further, as the disciplinary committee was already handling the matter.
