TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A legislator from Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), defended the principles of free political expression on Friday (April 11) while simultaneously warning against conducting recall campaigns in educational settings. The comments emerged amid controversy surrounding allegations by a National Taiwan University (NTU, 台灣大學) student who claimed to have faced online harassment from a professor at National Cheng Kung University (成功大學), one of Taiwan's premier educational institutions, for the educator's involvement in a recall petition targeting prominent KMT caucus leader Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁).
KMT Legislator Wu Tsung-hsien (吳宗憲) underscored citizens' fundamental rights to engage in political activities and voice their ideological preferences, pointedly mentioning his personal relationships with numerous members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨), Taiwan's current governing party. Wu specifically cautioned academic professionals to uphold principles of educational neutrality and intellectual freedom, recommending they refrain from advocating for recall campaigns during instructional periods. He reaffirmed that while political participation remains a protected right, certain professional boundaries should be maintained.
Wu emphasized that individual expressions regarding the recall effort, whether supportive or opposed, deserve protection in Taiwan's vibrant democratic environment. He leveled criticism at the governing DPP administration, accusing it of undermining democratic principles, while simultaneously cautioning recall advocates against being influenced by what he characterized as false information. The legislator concluded by affirming that despite the KMT's position as an opposition force, the party maintains respect for citizens' democratic right to voice political views, even when those expressions target KMT leadership through recall initiatives.