Fu Kun-chi Leads KMT Caucus in Apology Over Weng Hsiao-ling's Move to Cut and Freeze Presidential Office Confidential Funds

Sep 01, 2026

The KMT caucus publicly bowed in apology over a proposal to cut and freeze the Presidential Office's confidential funds, which had knock-on effects on Mid-Autumn Festival gift box orders from sheltered workshops. The move is seen as political damage control and a necessary step to repair the party's image.

  • During review of the central government budget, Weng Hsiao-ling proposed cutting and freezing NT$30 million in Presidential Office confidential funds, which in turn hit Mid-Autumn Festival gift box orders placed with sheltered workshops, sparking a public backlash.
  • KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi led members in bowing in apology and admitted the mistake, which was read as a sign the party knew better than to provoke widespread public anger.
  • DPP legislator Wang Shih-chien criticised Weng Hsiao-ling as an at-large legislator with an academic background who has never run in an election and is used to assuming she is always right.
  • Wang Shih-chien said Fu Kun-chi commands the largest bloc of legislative seats and is the most politically powerful figure within the KMT; although his public standing does not match Han Kuo-yu's, Weng Hsiao-ling probably listens only to Fu.
  • Han Kuo-yu had earlier advised against cutting funding for gift boxes from disadvantaged groups, and is seen as playing a steadying role within the pan-blue camp, with his approach now vindicated.

Outlook: The KMT and TPP are expected to be more cautious in the remaining budget review, avoiding further cut-and-freeze proposals that could stir public resentment.

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