Yang Jen-fu (Chinese: 楊仁福; pinyin: Yáng Rénfú; 16 February 1942 – 4 September 2024) was a Taiwanese Amis politician.

Yang Jen-fu
楊仁福
Member of the Legislative Yuan
In office
1 February 1999 – 31 January 2012
Preceded byChuang Chin-sheng
Succeeded bySra Kacaw
ConstituencyLowland Aborigine
Personal details
Born(1942-02-16)16 February 1942
Died4 September 2024(2024-09-04) (aged 82)
NationalityRepublic of China
Political partyKuomintang
Alma materNational Taiwan University
OccupationPolitician

Early life

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Yang graduated from National Taiwan University with a degree in political science, then became a teacher.[1][2] He was of Amis descent and was active in a Hualien County-based association of Amis people.[3][4]

Political career

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Yang served three terms on the Taiwan Provincial Consultative Council before his 1998 election to the Legislative Yuan. Shortly after the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, Yang formed an inter-party parliamentary group which sought to provide disaster relief to aboriginal communities.[5] At the start of his second term, Yang expressed interest in joining the economics and energy committee. He was not offered membership, and as a result, scaled back his participation in Kuomintang caucus activities.[6] In June 2002, Yang was formally admonished for voting against the caucus.[7] Yang won a third term in 2005, and his forth term in 2008, despite a coalition of LGBT rights groups opposing his candidacy.[8][9] He helped reestablish the aboriginal caucus within the Legislative Yuan in 2009.[10] In March 2010, Yang was named convenor of the legislature's transportation committee alongside Chu Fong-chi.[11]

Political stances

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Over the course of his legislative career, Yang has defended the political and property rights of aborigines.[12][13] Upon the passage of the Aboriginal Basic Law in January 2005, Yang commented that it would "provide indigenous rights with a strong basis in law, to give Aboriginal people a stable and secure environment for survival."[14] He has stated of the aboriginal workforce, "Everybody says they love Taiwan, but they don’t love my people. They say they can’t find workers, but that is just an excuse. The government has offered these companies many tax benefits. How can they simply ignore the rules and disregard the interests of local employees?"[15] Yang also maintained an interest in transportation.[16][17]

Death

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Yang died on 4 September 2024, at the age of 82.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Yang Jen-fu (6)". Legislative Yuan. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Yang Jen-fu (4)". Legislative Yuan. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Yang Jen-fu (5)". Legislative Yuan. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  4. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (12 March 2010). "Lawmakers urge new Aboriginal constituencies". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Typhoon bringing landslides at rate of 100 per day". Taipei Times. 9 October 1999. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  6. ^ Ko, Shu-ling (4 March 2002). "DPP denies secret start of alliance". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  7. ^ Low, Stephanie (26 June 2002). "KMT gives boot to four lawmakers". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  8. ^ "Legislative elections and referendums" (PDF). Taipei Times. 13 January 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  9. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (5 January 2008). "Activists urge boycott of 'homophobic' candidates". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  10. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (21 May 2009). "Pan-blue Aboriginal lawmakers planning to revive caucus". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  11. ^ Wang, Flora (4 March 2010). "Pan-blues to head all 16 committees at Legislative Yuan". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Aboriginals unite against lack of progress on self-rule". Taipei Times. 27 October 2002. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  13. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (26 December 2008). "Aboriginal political rights at risk: critics". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  14. ^ Hong, Caroline (22 January 2005). "Law protecting Aboriginal rights is praised". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  15. ^ Shan, Shelley; Loa, Iok-sin (14 May 2009). "Legislators slam free trade ports bill". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  16. ^ Shan, Shelley (29 October 2009). "MOTC plans harbor bureau to oversee port operations". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  17. ^ Shan, Shelley (30 November 2010). "Mandatory use of OBU devices for tolls is questioned". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  18. ^ 前立委楊仁福病逝享壽83歲 生前致力原民事務 (in Chinese)