TAIPEI (TVBS News) — New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) strongly refuted circulating rumors that his administration had penalized local businesses for supporting a recall campaign against a member of his own party. Speaking at the inauguration of the New Taipei City Art Museum (新北市美術館) on Friday (April 25), Hou characterized the allegations as completely unfounded and cautioned against the proliferation of politically motivated falsehoods.
The controversy centers on claims that Sanxiecheng Bakery (三協成餅店), a local establishment, had been hit with a NT$200,000 fine (US$6,154) for supporting efforts to recall Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislator Hung Mong-kai (洪孟楷). "This simply did not happen," Hou stated, warning that such fabrications undermine public trust in government institutions. New Taipei's Department of Health (衛生局) issued its own statement confirming no penalties had been levied against the bakery, while Hou emphasized his administration's commitment to lawful governance.
Addressing a separate but related political tension, Hou commented on internal discord within the KMT regarding the formation of a sub-caucus in the city council. The mayor, who rose to prominence as a KMT political figure after a career in law enforcement, called for unity among elected officials regardless of factional differences. "The ultimate responsibility of all councilors is to serve the public interest and collaborate on matters important to our citizens," Hou remarked, emphasizing governance over partisan divisions. ★
