Lin Shu-ling (Chinese: 林淑玲; pinyin: Lín Shūlíng; born 1976), is an Amis woman from the Tse-tung buluo (indigenous village community), in the Fushan Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County, Taiwan.[1] As a traditional custodian of the land on which the Taitung Miramar Resort was built, she was a leader of the community movement against it, and became a voice for indigenous land rights in Taiwan.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

In 2018, Lin announced her intention to run as a plains aborigines candidate in the Beinan Township representing the New Power Party in the November 2018 Taitung County Government elections.[10] However, in September 2018, she was disqualified by the Taitung Election Commission due to having a conviction for "public abuse". She has appealed her disqualification to the Central Election Commission.[11]

Taitung Miramar Resort protest

After receiving an eviction/demolish order[12] for her grandmother's house, Lin began protesting the Miramar Resort project on Shanyuan/Fudafudak beach.[2][3][12]

Lin formed alliances with civc groups including Taiwan Environment Protection Union, Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association, and Citizens of the Earth, as well as surrounding Amis buluos (indigenous villages).[9][13][14] The Miramar situation is unresolved,[3] having evolved into "a landmark case".[15]

In 2008, Lin became a plaintiff on a series of Citizen Litigation suits first launched by Chen Bo-chou (陳柏舟) and then Thomas Chan challenging the legality of the resort's EIA and building permit.[12][13] Despite winning this, and all subsequent cases related to the Miramar project, appeals by the Kuang Li-chen and Justin Huang administrations extended the process to eight years.[16] Construction continued while appeals were pending.[17]

Community involvement

Described in a CNA report as "the soul of the Miramar protest movement",[18] Lin was a founding member and spokesperson for Fan Fan Fan (FFF), a local arts community activist group, which staged rallies and concerts with performances by Taiwanese indigenous and indie acts.[19] She also participated in a month-long camp-in on Shanyuan/Fudafuduk beach in 2011.[20] In 2013, FFF undertook a 300 km walk from the site of the Miramar construction to the Presidential Office Building.[9][21]

Current status

Although the Supreme Court rulings have prevented Miramar from opening, it stands fully built on the beach.[22] Lin continues to campaign for the resort to be demolished.[4] She supports calls for an investigation to determine whether Miramar/Durban Development should be held liable for restoring Shanyuan/Fudafuduk beach to its pre-Miramar state.[23] Lin is promising greater scrutiny of the current Arbitration Tribunal process involving Magistrate Justin Huang and convener, Deputy County Magistrate Chen Chin-hu (陳金虎) (and/or their representatives), and Miramar owner, Huang Chun-fa (and/or his representatives), and a mediator. They are meeting to reach agreement on a compensation amount to be paid to Miramar Resort Ltd.[24] Lin is campaigning for a postponement of that process pending an investigation.[25]

Political career

In August 2018, Lin announced her intention to run as an Aborigines Plains Representative in the November 2018 Taitung Government election. According to Lin's campaign website, her focus is to revitalize the culture of local communities while also working to enshrine the legal recognition of traditional lands.

Lin rejected the Taitung County Government discourse[26] that resort developments solve problems of employment and cultural cohesion. She proposed to increase youth access to small-business courses and encourage youth feedback regarding cultural values and appropriate development.[25] Lin has also promised to "demand transparency regarding government spending" (currently detailed budget data is not published by the Taitung Department of Finance), and “guard public money".[25]

Disqualification from running for political office

In October 2018, six weeks before the election, Lin was banned from running for office by the Taitung Election Commission (TEC) on the grounds that she had a misdemeanor conviction for 'public abuse'.[18]

The case against Lin was triggered by a neighbor dispute relating to a private construction that Lin believed encroached on her grandmother's land.[18]

Lin accepted a fine of NT$3000 (US$100), saying she regarded it as a minor matter.[18] Lin was informed of her disqualification whilst campaigning for the November 24 elections, 6 months later. According to Lin, neither the prosecutor nor her lawyer made her aware of any potential ban attached to agreeing to pay the fine.[18]

Lin requested the TEC’s decision be reviewed by the Central Election Commission. She received a reply from the TEC, signed by Deputy Magistrate Chen Chin-hu (陳金虎), who is also Director of the TEC, saying her disqualification from the Taitung County Council elections had been upheld.[24][27] Lin explored other options to have the decision overturned, saying, "Until a final decision is made, I will continue campaigning,"[18] but was unable to revoke the cancellation of her candidacy.

Work life

Lin runs a small business with her mother, Da Panay (Lin Chin-ti 林金蒂), raising goats and cropping hibiscus . They assist Lin's grandmother, Miarde, who grows artemisia.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Glenn Smith, 2015, Taiwan indigenous activists win legal battle against luxury resort developer
  2. 1 2 Taipei Times, 2016: EPA encouraged to halt review of Shanyuan resort
  3. 1 2 3 The Reporter, 2015, Lin Shu-ling's resistance
  4. 1 2 Emily McKee, Wild at Heart, The Miramar Story, 2012
  5. ↑ China Times, Miramar will be arbitrated in Taitung County, 2017
  6. ↑ The News Lens: Bigger than Miramar, 500-room Golden Palms Resort to be reviewed, 2018
  7. ↑ Taiwan Environmental Information Center: Miramar EIA canceled, 2016
  8. ↑ Government site: Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan, ROC, Taiwan
  9. 1 2 3 The News Lens, Anti-Miramar activists successfully stalled opening, 2018
  10. ↑ CNA, 2018: Taitung Election Committee disqualifies Lin Shu-ling, Lin vows to continue campaign
  11. ↑ CNA, 2018
  12. 1 2 3 4 Glenn Smith, 2015, Interview with Lin Shu-ling
  13. 1 2 Taipei Times, Miramar resort environmental impact assessment (EIA) to be revoked, 2014
  14. ↑ Prof. Liu Jhong-xi, Taitung University, Miramar timeline
  15. ↑ Focus Taiwan, 2012
  16. ↑ Taipei Times Editorial, 2016: Miramar Resort: Tourism gone wrong
  17. ↑ Taipei Times Editorial, 2016
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 CNA, Taitung Election Commission disqualifies Lin Shu-ling, 2018
  19. ↑ Taipei Times, 2012: Live Wire
  20. ↑ Taipei Times, 2011: Aborigines continue to protest against new hotel
  21. ↑ Taipei Times, 2013: Groups to hold rally against Miramar Resort
  22. ↑ Taipei Times, Court orders Taitung to revoke Miramar permit, 2015
  23. ↑ Glenn Smith, Taitung activists win legal battle against luxury resort developer, 2015
  24. 1 2 Taipei Times, Resort Developer demands NT$1.2 billion in compensation, 2018
  25. 1 2 3 Lin Shu-ling's campaign website
  26. ↑ Taitung Government website, Governor's Column
  27. ↑ "Lin Shu-ling has been disqualified from the election and said Miramar Resort arbitration case concern her the most. Taiwan Environmental Protection Information Center. 2018".
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