Is the Unmanned Vehicle Special Act 'Decided by Fu Kun-hsiu'? Chung Chia-pin Reveals: Fu Personally Promised AIT 'Third Reading on August 28'

The Legislative Yuan's Economic Committee, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, and Finance Committee held a joint session today (27th), arranged by Hung Yu-hsiang, the convener of the Economic Committee from the Taiwan People's Party, to continue reviewing draft regulations related to unmanned vehicles.

Today's review included 14 draft versions. In addition to the previous joint session on the 16th, where Minister of National Defense Koo Kwang-ming attended to answer questions, today's session also included versions proposed by DPP legislator Chung Chia-pin, KMT legislator Lai Shih-pao, and DPP legislator Lai Jui-lung.

Besides individual legislators' drafts, the comprehensive review also encompassed multiple versions submitted by the Executive Yuan—the 'Special Act Draft for Procurement of Indigenous Unmanned Vehicles for National Defense,' the KMT caucus's 'Act Draft for Indigenous Development and Procurement of Unmanned Vehicle Technology for National Defense,' and the Taiwan People's Party caucus's 'Act Draft for Strengthening Indigenous National Defense and Drone Industry Development.'

During his speech, DPP legislator Chung Chia-pin questioned that the KMT currently holds power in the Legislative Yuan, and the legislature is effectively controlled by KMT caucus leader Fu Kun-hsiu, implying that the unmanned vehicle special act is 'decided by Fu Kun-hsiu.'

Chung revealed that last Friday, he personally heard Fu Kun-hsiu tell American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) officials that the overall budget would pass by the designated date, and the unmanned vehicle special act would definitely leave the committee on the 27th and complete its third reading on August 28.

Chung criticized that the Legislative Yuan has become a rubber stamp for Fu Kun-hsiu, with committee conveners merely serving as pawns.

Chung further stated that convener Hung Yu-hsiang personally told him that the bill must leave the committee today.

Chung explained that the reason for rushing to pass the bill out of committee on July 27 is due to the 'Legislative Yuan Powers and Procedures Act,' which requires a one-month cooling-off period and cross-party negotiations before a bill can proceed. August 28 happens to be the last Friday of this legislative session, allowing for a final vote. He questioned whether completing the committee review of 14 different versions in a single day is merely rushed work intended solely for public posturing.