Huang Shih-chieh Accused by Multiple Parties of Occupying State Land for Rally

As the election approaches, campaign rally venues have frequently become focal points for political attacks among the Kuomintang (KMT), the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP). Recently, the KMT and TPP legislative blocs jointly held a press conference to raise public concerns regarding a rally held by DPP Taoyuan City mayoral candidate Huang Shih-chieh in Zhongli. The opposition parties accused the event of potentially occupying state-owned land and questioned whether it involved the abuse of privilege or the transfer of benefits. They demanded that the competent authority, the Council of Agriculture, disclose relevant rental and review documents to clarify the matter and uphold public trust.

In response to the strong accusations from opposition legislators, Huang immediately launched a public counterattack. He emphasized that the venue rental procedures for the rally were conducted strictly in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, with no involvement of any special privileges. Huang explained that the application and use of the venue followed proper administrative procedures and legal norms, making it withstand external scrutiny. He further called on specific political parties and figures to refrain from unfounded smear campaigns and political maneuvering for electoral gain, which he said blurred the focus of the election.

In this controversy, KMT Legislative Caucus Secretary-General Hsu Yu-chien pointed out that the large-scale rally Huang recently held in the Zhongli area appeared to take place on state-owned land, questioning whether it constituted an unlawful occupation. Hsu urged the Council of Agriculture, as the responsible authority, to assume its supervisory duties by proactively disclosing relevant land rental data and the review process. He insisted on a clear explanation of the legality of the land use to ensure the public understands that state property has not been misused.

In addition to the KMT's queries, TPP Legislative Caucus Executive Secretary Hong Yu-hsiang escalated the accusations. Hong questioned whether Huang had obtained the right to use the state-owned land through his father’s local connections and influence, bypassing the public bidding and rental procedures. He suspected that this involved the abuse of official resources and the transfer of benefits. The TPP caucus maintained that state-owned property belongs to all citizens and should not be used as a tool for specific political figures or candidates to seek electoral advantages, demanding a thorough investigation by the relevant authorities.

From a broader political and electoral perspective, venue disputes are a common feature of campaign battles in Taiwan. Candidates hosting rallies during the campaign period often attract massive crowds and traffic, making the size, legality, and safety of the venues key indicators for opponents to scrutinize. Regulations regarding the rental of state-owned and public venues are strictly limited to prevent the misuse of public resources for private gain or administrative unfairness. This joint offensive by the KMT and TPP is not only targeting Huang’s personal land-use controversy but also aims to portray the DPP candidate as enjoying special privileges, thereby exerting pressure on the election dynamics.

However, with Huang’s side quickly clarifying that the application was made in accordance with the law and that no privileges were involved, the controversy has evolved into a verbal dispute over legal interpretation and procedural justice. The opposition parties are demanding transparency from the Council of Agriculture to clarify the truth, while the ruling camp emphasizes that all actions were in compliance with legal provisions. The key to resolving this issue lies in whether the Council of Agriculture can produce specific rental documents and review records to be subjected to public and media scrutiny. As the election enters its heated phase, similar battles over venues and administrative resources are expected to continue, serving as an important basis for voters to evaluate the integrity and law-abiding attitude of the candidates.

(Source: CNA)