TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Legislative Yuan on Tuesday (May 28) passed a series of amendments to its Law Governing the Legislative Yuan`s Power, proposed by the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP). The amendments, which aim to reform the nation's legislature, were approved by a majority of 58 out of 103 lawmakers.
The amendments include the normalization of the Presidential State of the Nation Report, penalties for contempt of congress, strengthening of congressional personnel approval rights, and granting of investigative and hearing powers to congress.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) criticized the reforms as an overreach and abuse of legislative power. They claimed that the passage of the bill would allow the Legislative Yuan to summon ordinary people arbitrarily.
Under the amendments, the president must submit the State of the Nation Report to the Legislative Yuan within two weeks of taking office and deliver the report in person within a month. The president is also required to respond promptly in sequence.
The amendments stipulate that officials' responses to inquiries must not exceed the scope of the inquiry and must not be counter-inquiries. Those who refuse to respond, refuse to provide information, or show other contemptuous behavior towards congress can be fined between NT$20,000 and NT$200,000.
The amendments also require lawmakers to vote by name on personnel approval rights, with a review period of no less than one month. Nominees who violate regulations, such as providing false responses or hiding or providing false information, can be fined between NT$20,000 and NT$200,000.
The amendments allow the Legislative Yuan to establish investigative committees or special task forces to exercise investigative and subpoena powers on related bills or matters related to lawmakers' powers. Those who refuse, delay, or hide documents when requested by the Legislative Yuan can be fined between NT$10,000 and NT$100,000.
