Tactics of deceit attributed to TPP's Huang

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has found itself in the centre of controversy, with critics accusing it of undermining democratic institutions and disregarding the law.

The TPP's chairman, Huang Kuo-chang, has been under scrutiny for his behaviour, particularly during his recent "walk and read" event. The event, which was a political stunt, defied legal norms, endangered public order, and left eight police officers injured, with one hospitalized.

Footage from the event showed Huang with his arm around a police inspector's neck. In an implausible defence, Huang later claimed the officer was "smiling," suggesting it was not a chokehold. However, a digitally manipulated image was circulated showing the officer smiling, an attempt to reframe the facts through fabrication.

The incident highlights the TPP's tendency to distort reality when the facts are damning. The party has been accused of discrediting institutions and playing the victim.

Huang is also under fire for his defence of Ko Wen-je, who is on trial for allegedly misappropriating more than NT$90 million (US$2.94 million). Instead of respecting judicial independence, Huang is whipping up crowds, staging public confrontations, and branding the indictment as political repression. This is a calculated attempt to pressure the judiciary.

Critics argue that the TPP is borrowing from the authoritarian playbook, weaponizing freedoms to delegitimize democratic institutions. The party is said to be using objective standards as tools of oppression.

Moreover, the name of a structural organizer currently working for the TPP, Chen Wen-jen, has been linked to embezzlement of more than NT$90 million.

Huang's behaviour, as a party chairman and declared aspirant for mayor of New Taipei City, is disqualifying. Mayors are stewards of public order, and Huang's actions, including physically confronting police and leading rallies that result in injuries, are a threat to public order.

The TPP's actions have led to concerns about whether Huang is the suitable leadership New Taipei City wants. His treatment of legal enforcement as tyranny and his view of his own impunity as a civil right raise serious questions.

Recent events have also seen the TPP excelling at street brawls disguised as book clubs and artificial intelligence fakes disguised as truth. Law enforcement is being recast as persecution by the TPP, and investigations are being smeared as witch hunts.

As the TPP faces mounting criticism, it remains to be seen how it will respond and whether it will change its ways.