"Four Noes" Referendum Campaign by DPP Only Incapacitates Taiwan's People
By Chaung Chih-kang
The Storm Media, October 30, 2021
Taiwan is counting down to the four-question referendum vote on December 18. President Tsai Ing-wen, who also serves as chairwoman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has set the tone by advocating “Make Taiwan stronger by voting 'no.'” The four-question referendum questions pertain to protection of algal reefs, restriction of ractopamine-additive pork imports, activation of the Longmen Nuclear Power Plant, and holding of referendum votes alongside general elections. Ironically, voting “no” to these referendums is actually the complete opposite of strengthening Taiwan.
“Feeling powerless” is perhaps the closest portrayal of the inner thoughts of the voters, and also the reason why these referendums were established. According to the latest poll done by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation, the resumption of the Fourth Nuclear plant has reversed to a wide acceptance. In fact, all four referendums have more supporters who agree than those who disagree.
Some might still remember Tsai’s 2015 presidential campaign declaration where she said, “there shouldn’t be fear on the dining table.” Little did we know that after her re-election this year she would force the import of ractopamine pork, neglecting the livelihoods of more than 6,000 pig farmers and forsaking food security and people’s health.
In order to solve the problem of electricity shortage, the government has argued the necessity of the construction of a receiving terminal for natural gas energy production. President Tsai constantly raises the slogan “national team” or “let the world see Taiwan” but she seems to have forgotten that the construction would damage the Datan algal reef in Taoyuan, which is the most unique large-scale algae reef landscape and ecosystem in the world.
Furthermore, the power outage across Taiwan on August 15 and power limits in different zones have made the policy of a “non-nuclear home” seem like a joke. It is likely that power skipping and power cuts will become normal.
Nonetheless, the Tsai administration continues to change its position according to its own interests without facing the real public opinion. They previously criticized the referendum’s unreasonably high threshold, but now they forcefully separate the referendum from the general election. If the people can vote for the referendum and the general election at the same time, it could cut down election budgets and allow the people to express their position with only one trip. However, with the separation of the referendum and the general election, it is much more difficult for votes to reach the absolute threshold so that the voice of the people can be heard.
It is quite absurd that for the Tsai administration, importing pork with ractopamine, destroying algal reef, limiting the power supply, and decoupling the referendum from the general election are actually means to make “Taiwan stronger.” For the two major parties, the DPP and Kuomintang (KMT), the referendum is no doubt the next battleground that will see fierce political competition. This time, the DPP’s various actions obviously run contrary to the people’s desires.
While the Tsai administration ignores public opinion and clamors “make Taiwan stronger”, the KMT responded quickly. Newly elected chairman Eric Chu called on party’s central leadership, its think tank, and the Legislative Yuan to hold a tripartite meeting. They referred to the referendum as a demonstration of “distrust towards the Tsai administration and Su cabinet.” The KMT will later hold thousands of rallies to urge more “yes” votes in the referendum. Deputy Secretary-General Lo Chih-chiang of the KMT came up with an amazing move to stay for 49 days at the Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office Building in order to coordinate the publicity campaign which includes speeches and precinct walking.
The four-question referendum has turned from cold to hot. If Chu can take advantage of his victory and successfully solicit “yes” votes for the four referendum questions, then the Tsai administration will face a disastrous political impact that will bring them down all the way to the local elections in 2022.