Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu Angry at Fu Kun-chi's Absence, Urges Resignation as Caucus Leader

(Central News Agency reporter Lin Jing-yin, Taipei, August 11) Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu chaired the third round of cross-party negotiations today on the central government's fiscal year 115 budget. Noticing that Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus convener Fu Kun-chi was absent and had not authorized any party officials to represent him, Han expressed rare anger, sarcastically asking, "Is this like Empress Dowager Cixi ruling from behind a curtain?" He demanded that Fu either attend personally, formally delegate authority to the caucus secretary-general, or resign as convener, stating, "We hold power not to show off."

This year's central government budget has been stalled for over 300 days. Han originally aimed to pass the budget by August 7, but due to disagreements between parties, the second round of negotiations only concluded on August 6. Han began the third round of talks at 2 p.m. today.

However, while Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus leader Tsai Chi-chang and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) caucus leader Chen Ching-lung arrived on time, Fu Kun-chi was nowhere to be seen. Han immediately turned to KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-shiang and asked, "Is Convener Fu not attending? Has he authorized the secretary-general?" He added, "The secretary-general must answer publicly—otherwise, are the other two caucus leaders here just fools?"

Lin replied that authorization had been given. Han pressed further: "So signatures are valid?" Lin responded, "No."

Han immediately retorted, "If Fu doesn't come and his signature isn't valid, isn't this just like Empress Dowager Cixi ruling from behind a curtain?" He continued, "Has the Legislative Yuan really come to this pathological state?" and "This isn't the first time he's been absent." Quoting Confucius, he said, "A gentleman focuses on fundamentals—once the foundation is set, the path emerges." He emphasized that as convener, Fu must attend negotiations or formally delegate authority.

Han then asked Tsai and Chen, "If you were absent, would you authorize your staff to sign on your behalf?" Both answered affirmatively. Han declared, "I also state that if I'm absent, everything represented by Vice President Chiang Chieh-chieh is valid."

Immediately after, Han turned back to Lin and said, "Let me ask Lin Pei-shiang, elected from Keelung City and serving as an important KMT caucus secretary-general: Your convener repeatedly fails to attend meetings. You must clearly state: Is your signature and consent valid or invalid?"

Lin shook his head. Han refused to accept a silent response and demanded he speak into the microphone. Lin said, "Without the convener's (Fu's) signature, I cannot represent the caucus."

After Lin's statement, Han stared at him for 10 seconds before continuing. Using examples of Tsai watching a movie and Chen visiting a massage parlor, Han said that if party officials called to confirm, they could sign or not. Suddenly, he added, "Could your Convener Fu be playing mahjong right now, using his left hand to say 'sign' or 'don't sign'?"

At that moment, Han raised his voice: "The Legislative Yuan is sick—deeply ill—and still trying to control things remotely! Where does that put us, the Speaker, and other party caucuses? So many officials are here!"

Han turned to Lin again: "Notify Convener Fu right now. He has three choices: attend personally—no argument there; second, formally delegate authority to the secretary-general; or third, resign as convener! Isn't it easier to just quit? How can he run things like this?"

Han continued, "What is the 'foundation' a gentleman should focus on? It's responsibility. We all work hard for three goals: first, national progress; second, clean and effective governance; third, a better life for Taiwan's people through the efforts of the Legislative Yuan. We don't hold power to show off."

After criticizing Fu for nearly five minutes, Han declared the start of negotiations without waiting for Lin's reply. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150811