Just before President-elect was due to take office on Monday, a Taiwanese lawmaker created a major commotion by seizing a bill and dashing out of the legislative chamber to prevent it from getting passed.
Chaotic morning session
As per reports, the morning session began with heated exchanges, as lawmakers engaged in shouting and physical altercations before any votes were cast. The tension heightened when a particular MP, now dubbed the “Bill Bandit,” seized the bill and made a dash for the exit. This prompted other lawmakers to give chase, transforming the chamber into a chaotic scene.
Viral video and online reaction
@CensoredMen shared the video on X, which garnered over 9.1 million views. Memes and jokes about the “Bill Bandit” absconding with the bill spread rapidly, going viral.
One user remarked that he took matters into his own hands. Another user pointed out Taiwan’s paradoxical situation: despite producing over 90% of the world’s computer chips, they lack a functioning copy machine. A third user suggested a different approach to filibusters, proposing that if a person intercepts the document and manages to evade being tackled for 24 hours, the bill should not be passed.
While some citizens express concerns about the impact on Taiwan’s democracy, many found the incident amusing. Another user on X remarked, “I only see things like this in movies.”