TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨), Taiwan's third-largest political party, introduced its own version of a draft bill on Monday (Jan. 26) to bolster national security and enhance asymmetric warfare capabilities. The proposal outlines specific procurement items and amounts, requiring the Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, to submit annual reports. The party says this move aims to ensure transparency and accountability in defense spending.
Party caucus leader Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) stated that the TPP version increases the authorized amount by 20%, approximately NT$88.1 billion (around US$2.81 billion), to address the urgent need to enhance combat capabilities. The total budget cap for this version is NT$400 billion (about US$12.74 billion). The proposal mandates the Executive Yuan to present a special report to the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, within one month of the bill's passage, subject to questioning and approval before budget compilation.
Vicky Chen (陳智菡), the party caucus director, highlighted the draft's features, including a clear list of procurement items, costs, delivery timelines, and maintenance expenses, ensuring a rationalized budget scale. The procurement list features items such as M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, HIMARS rocket systems, and anti-armor drone missiles, and adds a sixth clause authorizing the amount, with a total limit of NT$400 billion (around US$12.74 billion).
Huang emphasized that Taiwanese citizens have never seen freedom as free, noting that taxpayers pay a high price for military procurement. He stressed it's crucial to ensure the purchased items, such as M109A7 self-propelled howitzers and HIMARS rocket systems, are delivered. The draft bill requires the Executive Yuan to explain in its reports military procurement execution over the past five years and the financial impact assessment. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.4)