National Agricultural Water Agency Defends Neutrality in State Land Campaign Row

The atmosphere of the upcoming elections in Taiwan is intensifying, with political parties and candidates engaging in increasingly fierce disputes over venue rentals and land-use rights. Recently, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) publicly questioned Huang Shih-chieh, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate for Taoyuan mayor, alleging that he occupied state-owned land belonging to the Bureau of Irrigation under the Ministry of Agriculture in the Zhongli district to hold a large-scale political rally. In response to these allegations, which have drawn significant public attention and media debate, the Bureau of Irrigation issued a formal statement immediately and followed up over the subsequent days. The bureau emphasized that all land borrowing and application procedures were conducted strictly in accordance with the law. It reiterated that it adheres to the principles of administrative neutrality and equal treatment when handling venue rental requests from candidates across all political factions, denying any favoritism toward specific camps or candidates.

The controversy stems from the common practice during election campaigns where candidates seek spacious, accessible open spaces to hold large gatherings, aiming to boost morale among supporters and expand the scale of their rallies. Huang’s campaign team previously selected a site in Zhongli for a rally, but the land in question is owned by the Bureau of Irrigation. This prompted the opposition KMT and TPP to question whether state-owned land and public assets should be used as campaign tools by specific political figures. They publicly demanded that the competent authority clarify whether there were concerns regarding administrative bias or privileged rentals. Facing intense scrutiny from opponents and public pressure, Huang had previously issued a public statement asserting that the borrowing process for the venue fully complied with relevant legal regulations and did not constitute illegal occupation.

To clarify the facts and dispel public doubts, the Bureau of Irrigation provided a detailed explanation regarding the use of state-owned land for the rally. The bureau noted that there are clear legal bases and standard operating procedures for the use of non-public state-owned real estate. As long as the requirements are met and proper application procedures are completed, the competent authority reviews all applications equally, regardless of the applicant’s identity or political affiliation. The bureau specifically emphasized that the land used by Huang’s campaign team was processed strictly in accordance with existing laws and administrative procedures during the review process, with no privileged intervention or differential treatment involved.

From a broader perspective on local autonomy and electoral culture in Taiwan, the use of public or state-owned land by candidates for campaign activities has long been a focal point of scrutiny. In past elections across various counties and cities, political figures from all major parties—including the KMT, DPP, TPP, and others—have faced strict oversight from opposing camps over venue issues. The allocation and use of public land resources are critical to determining whether administrative resources have been misused or whether administrative neutrality has been violated. Consequently, competent authorities must demonstrate high levels of transparency and fairness when handling various land rental applications to withstand rigorous scrutiny from the public and legislators, thereby avoiding entanglement in electoral rhetoric and political quagmires.

The Bureau of Irrigation’s recent clarification regarding the venue dispute involving Huang not only directly addresses external doubts but also highlights the importance of maintaining administrative neutrality by government agencies in a highly competitive democratic election environment. As the election heats up, similar venue disputes or questions regarding the use of administrative resources are expected to continue emerging. For political parties and candidates, ensuring that all campaign activities are fully legal and withstand scrutiny is key to maintaining their image and public trust. For administrative agencies, adhering to the rule of law and the principle of equal treatment remains the essential path to preserving public credibility.

(Source: Central News Agency)