TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuma Academy (黑熊學院) refuted claims on Friday (Jan. 10) that the Ministry of the Interior (MOI, 內政部) had earmarked funds for its civil defense training programs. The denial comes after Mirror Media (鏡週刊) reported Thursday (Jan. 9) that the National Police Agency (警政署) planned to collaborate with NGOs like Forward Alliance (壯闊台灣) and Kuma Academy for civil defense training, raising questions about budget allocations.
Kuma Academy clarified that it had no knowledge of any budget plans and had not been contacted for verification. The academy criticized the report as a misrepresentation, reserving the right to pursue legal action against the journalist for what it described as a fabricated story. Kuma Academy CEO Chu Fu-ming (朱福銘) emphasized that the reported plan did not specify any NGO as an executing agency, and all related information is publicly accessible.
Chu accused the journalist of failing to verify facts, suggesting the report aimed to damage the reputation and public trust of organizations promoting Taiwan's civil defense. Kuma Academy also noted that collaboration between civil groups and government entities is a common practice in civil defense efforts, and the academy has previously offered advisory support.
Highlighting the urgency of civil defense work in Taiwan, Kuma Academy stressed the importance of involving various civil society organizations. The academy disapproved of limiting such initiatives to specific groups, underscoring the need for broader participation to enhance national resilience.