Registration for new Legislative session starts amid budget dispute

Taipei, Feb. 2 (CNA) Registration for the new session of Taiwan's Legislature began Monday, with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) the first to sign in while urging that the Cabinet's proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.5 billion) special defense budget be placed on the agenda.

The two-day registration period for the fifth session of the 11th Legislative Yuan began at 8 a.m., with Kuo arriving around 6:45 a.m.

Speaking to reporters, he said passage of the defense budget is essential to safeguarding national security and called for greater dialogue and less political confrontation in the Legislature.

Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker Hung Meng-kai (洪孟楷) highlighted the growing problem of fraud in Taiwan, urging the government to take more aggressive action, particularly ahead of the Lunar New Year.

He pledged to introduce amendments aimed at cracking down on fraud syndicates during the new session, which begins on Feb. 24.

Hung said his proposals could include studying the use of corporal punishment for serious crimes such as sexual assault, child abuse and fraud. He also urged lawmakers across party lines and the executive branch to submit their own versions for discussion.

Separately, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) called on Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) to expedite deliberations on the stalled central government budget.

Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Lai said the KMT and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), which together hold a majority of seats in the Legislature, failed to review the annual budget during the previous session, despite its focus on public welfare.

Lai also accused the two opposition parties of pushing legislation tailored to specific individuals or interests, citing the passage of bills that would allow the KMT to regain party assets.