Prosecutor Chen Yun-nan, a spokesman of the task force, made the confirmation to the press. Chen also expressed gratitude to Singapore for enthusiastically offering judicial assistance needed to investigate the money laundering allegations.

Chen also appreciated the assistance rendered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, Taiwan High Prosecutor's Office and Taipei District Prosecutors Office during the process of negotiations with judicial units of Singapore.

Chen said his task force will soon move to study the information offered by Singapore for reference in investigating the alleged NT$730 million money laundering case involving the former first family.

The most eye-catching among the information received are the money flows shown in around 10 bank accounts held by Wu Ching-mao, elder brother of former first Lady Wu Shu-jen, and her daughter-in-law Huang Jui-chin, including Ching-mao's accounts at the Singapore branches of the ABN AMRO Bank, the Standard Bank of South Africa, and Credit Suisse, Huang's account at the Singapore branch of Credit Suisse, as well as other surrogate bank accounts there, according to the task force.

Prosecutors at the task force said they would seek continuous judicial assistance from Singapore to relay more relevant information.

In addition, the task force will also seek similar judicial assistance from Switzerland, Hong Kong and the U.S.

In related news, Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday she didn't know the exact reasons for the 17 consecutive absences of former First Lady Wu Shu-jen from court sessions, but "everybody should respect the judicial system, as respecting the system is an obligation of all nationals."

Tsai made the remarks when asked by reporters to comment on Wu's latest absence from the court session on Friday.

Meanwhile, former DPP chairman You Shyea-kun yesterday also called for Wu to bravely face the judicial investigation, and urged the judicial system to deal with prosecution cases in a fair way.

The ex-first lady, in her 17th challenge to the judiciary, refused to appear in court on Friday to answer questions on corruption charges in connection with the misuse of her husband's "state affairs" fund.

She had a last minute reprieve for absence for reason of poor health Thursday night, and did not appear at the Taipei district court hearing scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m.

It was a letter from the Taiwan University Hospital that claimed Wu Shu-chen was not fit for a court appearance.

Li Sheng-hsiung, her defense lawyer, was not present to represent her to the chagrin of prosecutors, who wished the sensational trial, beginning Dec. 15, 2006, wouldn't remain suspended indefinitely.

They requested three district court judges in conference to have Wu Shu-chen taken under custody and compel her presence.

Tsai Shou-hsun, the presiding judge, called off the 17th hearing held in close to two years and ruled the "procedural part" of the trial is over.