TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister and leader of the DPP's Taiwan Normal Country Promotion Association faction, Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), along with other DPP officials, voiced support on Wednesday for DPP Legislator Lin Tai-hua (林岱樺), a candidate in the Kaohsiung mayoral primary.
Lin Tai-hua was indicted by the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office on June 23 for allegedly embezzling NT$14 million (US$456,000) in legislative aide salaries. She has defended her innocence, claiming no motive or actions that would justify the alleged crimes, per CNA.
Lin Chia-lung defended Lin Tai-hua, a member of TNCPA, in a Facebook post, asserting that she is neither corrupt nor someone who takes what is not hers, per ETtoday. DPP Legislator Wang Yi-chuan (王義川) and New Taipei City Councilor Chuo Kuan-ting (卓冠廷) also voiced their support for Lin Tai-hua, announcing their participation in her rally scheduled for Nov. 1, per ETtoday.
However, their support triggered significant backlash, with many questioning Lin Chia-lung’s decision to back a candidate mired in legal troubles over other contenders, per Tai Sounds. Pro-DPP pundit and lawyer Lin Chih-chun (林智群) criticized the support, arguing that the three officials were jeopardizing their political capital, which had been built up by Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), per ETtoday.
Lin Tai-hua’s rivals in the mayoral primary also voiced concerns about Lin Chia-lung’s support. DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) suggested that politicians should prioritize the country’s interests over those of the party, per NOWnews.
DPP Legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) called for unity within the party, emphasizing his good relationships with the three officials. Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) echoed Chiu’s sentiment, stressing that the well-being of citizens should take precedence over internal party politics.
Lin Chia-lung responded to the criticism on Thursday, reaffirming his support for Lin Tai-hua, saying that society should allow her the space to defend herself in court and explain her side to the public, per UDN. Lin Tai-hua also defended her supporters, stressing that Taiwan cannot afford repeated internal divisions within the DPP, per NOWnews.
