TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) comfirmed on Monday (Sept. 30) that the government will not train 400,000 militia members. Instead, the primary function of this new civil force will be to maintain social and governmental operations.
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) chaired the inaugural meeting of the "Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee" (全社會防衛韌性委員會) on Sept. 26. The committee aims to bolster a reliable civil force of 400,000 people. Public speculation suggested this initiative was to prepare for a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
Liu emphasized that the second function of this civil force is to protect vital infrastructure, and the third is to support military duties. She noted that these roles are outlined in the Civil Defense Act (民防法).
The minister explained that the police and firefighters are already maintaining social order. In a large-scale disaster, their primary task is to ensure the regular operation of the government and society. Liu also said volunteer police, firefighters, civil defense, and private organizations will contribute.
