Nantou Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua Takes Leave for Father's Funeral

(CNA, reporter Hsiao Po-yang, Nantou County, 21st) Hsu Tien-sung, the father of Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua and former chairman of the Nantou City Representative Council, passed away yesterday at the age of 82. Hsu Tien-sung was a major force behind Hsu Shu-hua's political career. She said she will take leave starting tomorrow to handle the funeral arrangements, adding that her father loved lively occasions and "would be happy if people come to see him." Hsu Shu-hua still attended the scheduled general interpellation session at the Nantou County Council's regular meeting today, where several county councilors offered their condolences before their questioning. A planned afternoon inspection of 19 construction projects in Zhushan Township was attended by Chang Hung-yueh, Director of the Nantou County Government's Public Works Department, in her stead. Speaking to the media at the County Council, Hsu Shu-hua welcomed everyone to come and see her father and thanked all sectors for their concern for her family. Hsu Shu-hua stated that her father was not only the dad who doted on her most but also a benefactor in her political journey. Regarding the funeral arrangements, after handling various tasks in her office this afternoon, she will take a week's leave starting tomorrow to be with her father and manage the final family affairs. She welcomes friends to pay their respects during the mourning period, saying, "He loved a lively atmosphere, and he'd be very happy if everyone came to see him," but she politely declined any funeral monetary gifts. This morning, Hsu Shu-hua announced on her Facebook fan page that her beloved father had passed away peacefully yesterday, completing his life's work. She mentioned that she would be taking a few days off from her county duties to handle related matters with her family, but assured that county affairs would continue to be pushed forward steadily by her team. She expressed gratitude for the concern, condolences, and understanding from all circles, saying, "Let us accompany our father on his final journey." Hsu Tien-sung served as the chairman of the Nantou City Representative Council from the 5th to the 7th term. With her father's support, a 27-year-old Hsu Shu-hua, running under the People First Party banner, was successfully elected as a Nantou County Councilor in 2002. She subsequently served as Nantou Mayor, a legislator, and Nantou County Magistrate, never failing to live up to her father's expectations. During election campaigns, her father was accused of having a gang background. Unwilling to see her family dragged into the election, Hsu Shu-hua responded by stating that her father was indeed a "reformed person" but had paid his dues, questioning the need to involve an 80-year-old man in a contest between two people. Additionally, the Sanxuan Temple in Nantou City, built by Hsu Tien-sung, was found to have been illegally occupying national land for a long period, leading to a reprimand of the city and county governments by the Control Yuan. (Editor: Lee Shu-hua)