TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of several parliamentary reform bills on Tuesday (May 28), marking a significant step in Taiwan's legislative process. However, the act immediately faced criticism from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) for containing loopholes that could lead to exorbitant fines.
Kuo pointed out a critical oversight in Article 25 of the act, which failed to specify "New Taiwan Dollar" as the unit for fines. This omission, according to the current regulations on currency conversion, could result in fines up to NT$600,000. However, the act stipulates that individuals who violate its provisions could face fines ranging from NT$20,000 to NT$200,000.
Kuo criticized Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) and the collaboration between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) for amending the bill, highlighting the Legislative Yuan's chaotic management. He emphasized that the lack of transparency in the bill's review process led to significant oversights and raised concerns about its constitutionality.
The passage of the parliamentary reform bills has sparked a debate on legislative efficiency and the need for meticulous review to prevent potential legal and financial repercussions. As the Legislative Yuan addresses these criticisms, the focus on transparency and accountability in Taiwan's legislative process remains paramount.