A Taiwanese opposition lawmaker's push to soften punishment for soldiers who voice loyalty to China has drawn a wave of public anger, and it is bad news for the government's stalled national security bills.

• Weng Hsiao-ling, a KMT at-large legislator, argued that punishing "disloyal speech" by soldiers as harshly as surrender is excessive and violates the principle that punishment should fit the crime.
• Taiwan's cabinet passed five national security amendments late last year, including stripping pensions from soldiers who defect to China, but they have sat in the legislature for over eight months without final passage.
• Officials accuse her of opening a back door for Beijing at a moment when China is openly working to absorb Taiwan.
• Commenters piled on, including retired soldiers, saying anyone inciting troops on a real battlefield would be shot on the spot, not merely sentenced.
• The row adds to earlier controversy over her budget cuts that killed a large mooncake order from a sheltered workshop for disabled workers.

Outlook: The security bills look likely to stay stuck as the opposition-controlled legislature keeps resisting tougher penalties.