President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) vision to create a “golden decade” has come under sharp criticism from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers after it was revealed that the government had outsourced Taiwan’s development plans to an economic research institute.
The Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) reported yesterday that the Council of Economic Planning and Development, which is responsible for planning the economic policies behind Ma’s “golden decade” pledge, launched a public tender for a research proposal on a “2020 National Development Vision plan.”
The Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research reportedly won the NT$8 million (US$247,000) contract, which council officials said involved working with the council to hold public meetings nationwide promoting the “golden decade” policy.
DPP caucus whip Chai Trong-rong (蔡同榮) blasted the plan yesterday, saying it was “ridiculous” for the government to outsource an important article of national policy.
“It seems like Ma’s plan is to first have a slogan and then find the content,” DPP Legislator Huang Wei-cher (黃偉哲) said. “It damages the credibility of both the president and the government.”
Meanwhile, DPP Legislator Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃) said that if the government was already outsourcing plans for Taiwan’s future, “President Ma might as well step down and ask the head of the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research to become president.”
According to the Liberty Times article, council officials have downplayed the affair, saying the council retained overall control over the “golden decade” plan.
The “golden decade” was first raised during April’s debate on an economic cooperation framework agreement with DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS