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CPC execs penalized over tainted gas scandal

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Economics Affairs Minister Steve Chen made another apology to the public yesterday for the case in which a gas station in Taipei City, franchised by the state-run CPC Corp., Taiwan (CPC), was caught selling gasoline blended with methyl alcohol.

Chen also announced that one demerit each was handed down to CPC chairman Pan Wen-yen and president Chen Bao-lang.

Chiang Zhong-cheng and Lin Jung-lei, two CPC executives supervising marketing operations of oil products, were penalized with two demerits respectively.

Minister Chen said officials at the Energy Bureau under the Ministry of Economic Affairs who are responsible for the oversight will be given their punishments after an investigation into the scam is completed later this week.

Chen, who supervises the overall business operations of all state enterprises, said CPC will set up a one-stop service window to help all consumers get compensation for damages to their vehicles or motorcycles after using the tampered gasoline.

He instructed the Energy Bureau and CPC to immediately intensify the unannounced inspection of oil products being sold a various gas stations in Taiwan and offshore islands. CPC will revise its contracts with retailers so that the names and locations of gas stations that are found to have tampered gasoline, diesel or other oil products will be made public immediately so as to safeguard the interests of consumers, he said.

Concerning the reports that officials of the Taipei District Prosecutors Office have also interviewed CPC employees in their investigation of the case, Chen said he has received no such information from CPC executives.

But he stressed that all MOEA officials and employees of government-run enterprises should cooperate with judicial officials in their probes concerning alleged scams.

CPC executives said consumers who had refueled at the gas station on Wanfang Road in Wenshan District during the period of Sept. 10 to Nov. 30 but have found mechanical troubles with their vehicles may seek compensations.

All complaints and evidences should be presented to the CPC business center at No. 2 Juguang Road (Tel: 2304-3180) before June 30, 2008, they said.

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