Following Cho Jung-tai's Model, Liu Shih-fang Takes Interpellation Stand, Refuses Li Chen-hsiu's Questioning

The Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee invited Liu Shih-fang and others to attend this morning to review amendments to parts of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act.

During her interpellation, Li Chen-hsiu asked Liu Shih-fang and representatives from the Central Election Commission to take the stand. After Liu Shih-fang came to the stand, she said that yesterday, Premier Cho Jung-tai stated in the Legislative Yuan that all heads of the Executive Yuan are not obligated to accept questioning from a legislator who does not possess legal qualifications, which is the Executive Yuan's loyal adherence to the Constitution.

Liu Shih-fang stated that Cho Jung-tai's appearance was out of respect for Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu presiding over the meeting. She added that "Ms. Li Chen-hsiu" opposite her had not legally renounced her Chinese nationality and household registration, which does not comply with the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area and the Nationality Act, thus failing to demonstrate sole allegiance to the Republic of China. "Ms. Li cannot become a legally qualified member of the Republic of China's Parliament," and the responsibility lies with the Chinese government, not the Taiwanese government.

After Liu Shih-fang's statement, Li Chen-hsiu asked, "Is a Lupei a foreigner?" Liu Shih-fang did not respond. Li Chen-hsiu then requested a "procedural statement," but Liao Hsien-hsiang, the convenor of the Internal Administration Committee and a KMT legislator, stated that the interpellation was already underway, and procedural statements would only be allowed after the interpellation concluded.

During Li Chen-hsiu's questioning, Wang Hsiao-lin, Director of the Central Election Commission's Election Affairs Department, briefly walked to the interpellation stand and approached the microphone but immediately retreated without responding. Li Chen-hsiu questioned whether the Central Election Commission, an independent election body, had become the DPP's Central Election Commission. Li Chen-hsiu continued her monologue at the interpellation stand until her questioning time ended.

Liao Hsien-hsiang finally stated that whether it is speaking or remaining silent, both are expressions of opinion, and he respects every official's right to speak. All interpellations in the Legislative Yuan have complete written records, and in the future development of Taiwan's democracy, all civic education may cite this record. He urged everyone to cherish every statement made in the Legislative Yuan and leave behind a democratic example for themselves.

After the meeting, Li Chen-hsiu said in an interview that the Minister of Interior publicly declared her not to be a qualified legislator without any legal basis. "I think this is a great humiliation." She added that from yesterday's plenary session, she also saw how the Lai government and the executive team humiliated Lupei legislators. "I really can't do anything about them."

In addition, the Taiwan People's Party's Central Review Committee originally scheduled to handle Li Chen-hsiu's controversial remarks tomorrow, but it is rumored to be postponed until the 13th. Li Chen-hsiu stated that the Taiwan People's Party is a well-structured political party, and everyone respects the decisions and procedures of the Central Review Committee, taking it in stride. As for whether she is worried about being expelled from the party, she only said she would not answer hypothetical questions. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150408