Chen Chi-mai Claims Fiscal Act Amendment Hurts Kaohsiung; KMT Counters: 'Funding Has Increased'

Central News Agency, Kaohsiung, May 25. The Kaohsiung mayoral election is seeing intense competition. Incumbent Mayor Chen Chi-mai stated today that amendments to the Fiscal Revenue and Expenditure Act would affect Kaohsiung's allocation, leaving the final decision to the citizens. However, the KMT emphasized that Kaohsiung's financial resources have increased rather than decreased after the amendment, criticizing Chen's claims as unfair.

Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang said in Kaohsiung yesterday that he would fully support KMT mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en, adding that if DPP candidate Lai Jui-lung takes over, Chen Chi-mai's administrative achievements would be wiped out.

Lai Jui-lung responded that the 'malicious' amendment to the Fiscal Act would cause Kaohsiung significant losses, urging citizens to see the truth. He argued that Kaohsiung is progressing and that going backward would affect Chen's policies. As the DPP candidate, he pledged to work with the central government to continue Chen's achievements.

Chen stated today that municipal administration is about passing the baton, and candidates must be tested on their past performance and present a clear blueprint for future urban development. He pointed out that while Kaohsiung's land area is 11 times that of Taipei, its allocation is 19.4 billion NTD less, which will affect urban and industrial transformation.

The KMT Kaohsiung City Council caucus issued a statement today, noting that compared to the 52 billion NTD in allocation and 70.8 billion NTD in subsidies for fiscal year 114, the overall available resources for fiscal year 115 have actually increased by 5.9 billion NTD, criticizing Chen's claims as unfair. Ko Chih-en also emphasized that the amendment is intended to better supervise financial resources and that Kaohsiung's budget has not been reduced.