TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislators in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan engaged in a heated debate Friday (Nov. 29) over proposed amendments to the "Organization Act of the Council of Indigenous Peoples" (原住民族委員會組織法). The opposition Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) caucus suggested removing salaries for ethnic group committee members and rotating the chairpersonship between mountain and plains indigenous peoples, sparking accusations from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) of undermining indigenous rights.
DPP Legislator Chen Ying (陳瑩) rushed the podium as tensions escalated into a physical altercation between the parties. Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), who chaired the meeting, halted discussions due to the lack of consensus. After coordination between DPP caucus whip Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) and Chiang, the meeting adjourned without addressing the amendments further in the afternoon.
Expressing deep disappointment regarding the day's agenda, Wu emphasized the need to prioritize bills on education, sports, and livelihood. She also revealed ongoing discussions with the KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁), highlighting unresolved differences in the proposed legislation. Chiang announced after a recess that the session concluded to allow the full legislative committee to review the nomination consent rights of examination committee members. He stated that the remaining articles will be addressed in the next meeting, marking the end of the current session.
