By KHT Staff. AI-recreated image with English on the front sign.
KAOHSIUNG — An 83-year-old Kaohsiung City Council candidate nicknamed “Forest Grandma” presented a commitment letter to mayoral candidates on Tuesday, demanding the protection of the Ciaotou Sugar Refinery (橋頭糖廠) forest be included in upcoming televised debates.
Jiang Huang-nü (蔣黃女), the oldest candidate in this year’s local elections, delivered the letters outside the Kaohsiung Cultural Center during the official ballot number drawing for the 2026 mayoral race. Accompanied by supporters dressed as local wildlife, Jiang approached Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆).
Environmental groups, including the Forest City Association, are protesting the Kaohsiung New Town Phase 3 development plan, which could rezone 154 hectares of national forest land around the Ciaotou Sugar Refinery for residential and commercial use. Activists warn the development will destroy the habitats of fireflies, ring-necked pheasants, and grass owls, while potentially worsening local flooding.
Ko’s campaign team formally received the letter at the venue and promised to review the issue. Lai’s team did not physically accept the document at the scene but stated they would look into the matter further.
