Kaohsiung Mayor advocates for careful legislative reform

KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai voiced his support for legislative reform granting investigative and hearing powers during a Council inquiry on Thursday (May 23). However, he cautioned against forcibly passing such measures without discussion or violating legal procedures.

Chen cited the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA) as an example of the potential fallout from such actions. The agreement, which was not publicly disclosed and lacked transparency, sparked the Sunflower Movement when the Kuomintang (KMT) attempted to push it through. The aftermath, Chen noted, was significant.

KMT Councilor Li Ya-chu questioned the swift approval by police of an anti-abuse protest permit application submitted by Councillor Chang Po-yang of the Taiwan Statebuilding Party (TSP). In response, Chen said he respects the public's right to assemble and march.

Li countered Chen's statement, arguing that applications for assembly and march should be submitted to the competent authority six days in advance. He claimed the city government's approval was "completely illegal and disorderly."

Chen explained that the six-day application rule has exceptions in the case of unforeseeable major emergencies where immediate action is necessary to achieve the intended purpose.