Loh Meei-ling[1] (Chinese: 羅美玲; born 1 May 1969) is a Malaysian-born Taiwanese politician. She was a member of the Nantou County Council from 2014 to 2020, when she was elected to the 10th Legislative Yuan. Lo followed Lin Li-chan as the second immigrant to Taiwan to serve as a member of the Legislative Yuan.
Loh Meei-ling | |
|---|---|
羅美玲 | |
 | |
| Member of the Legislative Yuan | |
| Assumed office 1 February 2020 | |
| Constituency | Republic of China |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 May 1969 Malacca, Malaysia |
| Nationality | Taiwanese |
| Political party | Democratic Progressive Party (since 2018) |
| Other political affiliations | Independent (2014–2018) |
| Alma mater | National Taiwan Normal University Providence University National Changhua University of Education |
| Occupation | Politician |
Personal life and education
editLo was born in Malaysia on 1 May 1969.[2][3] She attended Pay Fong Middle School before immigrating to Taiwan in 1987 to enroll within the Department of Geography at National Taiwan Normal University.[4][5] Lo completed the Executive Master of Business Administration program at Providence University and pursued doctoral studies at the Department of Finance of the National Changhua University of Education.[4] She acquired Taiwanese citizenship through marriage to a Taiwanese national.[3][5]
Political career
editLo was elected to the Nantou County Council for the first time in 2014, as a political independent. She joined the Democratic Progressive Party for the 2018 election cycle, and was reelected.[4][5] As a member of the county council, she advocated for the elderly living in low-income households.[6] In November 2019, she was ranked fourth on the DPP party list, and won election to the 10th Legislative Yuan via proportional representation.[2][7]
In May 2020, Lo advocated for stricter laws on fire safety.[8] In November of that year, she founded a coalition to offer support for immigrants to Taiwan.[9] In March 2021, Lo proposed that rescue services operate on a user-pay principle to dissuade unprepared tourists from visiting mountainous areas.[10] In August 2021, she drew attention to suicide rates among adolescents, and advised that the Ministry of Education employ more guidance counselors as part of its suicide prevention efforts.[11] That same month, she held a joint press conference regarding animal welfare and living conditions at pet shops and breeders.[12] In October 2021, Lo proposed a basic law regarding the low birth rate in Taiwan.[13] She continued advocating for children, expressing concern in the following month that the internet made minors more susceptible to sexual exploitation and abuse.[14] In March 2022, Lo suggested that Article 31 of the Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong & Macau Affairs be amended to prevent Chinese companies from claiming foreign or Hong Kong funding while doing business in Taiwan.[15] During the 2022 Taiwanese local elections, she led the DPP campaign messaging efforts targeting immigrants and naturalized citizens.[16]
Lo was the fifth candidate listed on the DPP party list for the 2024 legislative election cycle.[17][18] In the 11th Legislative Yuan, Lo established the Taiwan-Malaysia Inter-Parliamentary Amity Group and an association advocating for the rights of new immigrants to Taiwan.[19]
References
edit- ^ 立法院 (2013-07-23). "立法院". 立法院 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ a b "4號 羅美玲" (in Chinese). Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b Pan, Jason (8 January 2020). "2020 Elections: DPP women tout party's strides in gender equality". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "Lo Mei-ling (10)". Legislative Yuan. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "2020 Elections: 'New immigrants' are campaigning for change". Taipei Times. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Hsieh, Chieh-yu; Chin, Jonathan (26 March 2018). "Nantou councilors accuse county of poor budgeting". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Yang, Chun-hui; Hsiao, Sherry (15 November 2019). "DPP sets its legislator-at-large list". Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Hsiao, Sherry (5 May 2020). "Lawmakers call for tougher laws". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Huang, Hsin-po; Pan, Jason (21 November 2020). "'New residents' coalition launched". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Chien, Hui-ju; Jonathan, Chin (13 March 2021). "Fees for rescues caused by neglect mulled". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Hsiao, Sherry (26 August 2021). "MOE must re-evaluate suicide prevention: lawmakers". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Yang, Cheng-yu; Hetherington, William (25 August 2021). "DPP lawmakers call for improvement of new pet contracts". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Chien, Hui-ju; Madjar, Kayleigh (6 October 2021). "Lawmakers propose bill to tackle declining birthrate". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Yang, Cheng-yu; Chung, Jake (20 November 2021). "Stronger child abuse curbs urged". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Chen, Yu-fu; Liu, Tzu-hsuan (24 March 2022). "Lawmakers call for Hong Kong, Macau law to be changed". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Chen, Cheng-yu; Pan, Jason (28 August 2022). "DPP mobilizes campaign teams". Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Wen, Kuei-hsiang; Yeh, Su-ping; Yang, Evelyn (15 November 2023). "ELECTION 2024/Children's rights activist tops DPP legislator-at-large list". Central News Agency. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ Chen, Yun; Pan, Jason (16 November 2023). "DPP unveils legislator-at-large list, with Kuma Academy's Puma Shen". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ Yang, Cheng-yu; Chin, Jonathan (21 February 2024). "DPP lawmakers launch Asian amity associations". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 February 2024.