Taiwan lawmakers throw water balloons in parliament

TAIPEI: Taiwan’s parliament descended into chaos for a second consecutive day with lawmakers wielding chairs above their heads and throwing water balloons as they brawled over a controversial infrastructure project.

It followed repeated disruption on Thursday when rival legislators grabbed each other’s throats in angry scuffles during a review of the budget for the project.

The plan is one of President Tsai Ing-wen’s signature proposals and includes building light rail lines, flood control measures and green energy facilities.

But the opposition Kuomintang party is against the project, saying it favours cities and counties faithful to Tsai’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and has been devised to secure support for the party ahead of next year’s regional elections.

Critics have also questioned the whopping T$420bil (RM59bil) cost of the project.

Premier Lin Chuan was prevented from delivering his budget report on Thursday after a water balloon was thrown towards him and he left the chamber, with the session called to a halt.

Lin stood on the sidelines again yesterday, unable to start speaking as chaos erupted around him.

Opposition lawmakers raised large office chairs above their heads, surrounding the podium and tussling with rival legislators to prevent Lin from presenting the report as more water balloons were thrown.

The session was suspended yesterday morning. One lawmaker feeling unwell after the brawl was sent to the parliament’s clinic.

Outside the building, the Kuomintang’s acting chairman, Lin Jungtzer, led a group of legislators and protesters, chanting, “Send back the budget, defend Taiwan!”