Probe of MRT scams gains momentum

In addition to the probe by the prosecutors, both the Kaohsiung City Government and the ruling party are looking into the case too.

The moves were taken following opposition parties criticized the government of making no sincere effort to get to the bottom of the cases.

One of President Chen’s former national policy adviser was released on NT$1.5 million bail after being questioned by investigators about possible scams until 1 a.m. yesterday.

Investigators raided on Tuesday two of the four foundations set up by Chen Min-hsien, who recently relinquished his posts as vice chairman of Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp. (KRTC) and national policy adviser at the Presidential Office, following President Chen’s new vow to crack down on all corruptions in his National Day speech made on Monday.

Sources at the Kaohsiung branch of the Investigation Bureau said there were abnormal money flows at the foundations in 2003 and 2004. Some could involve money laundering or political contributions.

The period of 2003 and 2004 was a time when KRTC hired a large number of workers from Thailand while 2004 was the year in which new legislators and Kaohsiung City Council members were elected.

Chen has been under investigation for a series of scams uncovered following the public outcry over the revolt of Thai workers against highly undesirable work conditions in August.

The probe covered the alleged collection of brokerage fee on the number of Thai workers were hired to build the mass rapid transit system in Kaohsiung.

Chen, whose company runs cement and construction businesses, denied any wrongdoing.

The raid of Chen’s foundation turned up an evidence showing that he paid NT$600,000 to Chou Li-liang, former chief of the Kaohsiung Department of Rapid Transit.

Chou, currently serving as a vice minister of transportation and communications, acknowledged that he received the money because Chen retained him as a consultant to offer research on the building of the MRT network in the second largest city in Taiwan.

Law enforcement officials in Bangkok have also been conducting separate investigation to determine if Thai officials were involved in the scams.

Meanwhile, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has set up a three-member panel conduct probe on the alleged involvement of DPP members and those affiliated with the party.

Chen Che-nan, who once served as deputy secretary-general to President Chen and recently resigned as one of the president’s national policy advisers, is a primary target for the probe into the scams.

DPP officials said they already relayed the decision to Chen Che-nan, the father of former Acting Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, who also stepped down recently to take responsibility of the revolt of Thai workers.

DPP Secretary-General Su Tseng-chang said the probe will give Chen Che-nan an opportunity to give a thorough explanation.

He stressed that the DPP will uphold the highest moral standards as set by President Chen.

Wang Ling-jiao, a Kaohsiung City Council member, held a press conference yesterday to publicize the two joint visits to the dorm and other facilities in the Thai workers center in Kaohsiung by Chen Che-nan and Chen Min-hsien in April and August respectively this year.

Wang said the two Chens should explain the nature of their close relations and why they made the joint visits.

Chen Hsin-yu, another Kaohsiung City Council member, demanded that the anti-corruption department in the Kaohsiung City Government launch a separate, independent probe.

Chen, a DPP member, complained that the investigation panel organized by incumbent Acting Mayor Yeh Chu-lan could not fulfill the principle of objectivity because it does not enlist the involvement of those with legal and judicial agencies.

Hau Chien-shen, secretary general of the city government, answered that all of the five members on the panel were appointed by Acting Mayor Yeh.

Huang Sheng-yi, anti-corruption chief, said his department is willing to talk to staff members of the Department of Rapid Transit (DORT) if they agree to the interviews.

Councilwoman Chen blamed former KRTC vice chairman Chen Min-hsien for creating the turmoil for Kaohsiung while law enforcement agents and even public media can do nothing about him.

She said that former DORT chief Chou Li-liang should be the first to be questioned by the anti-corruption department.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos Respond to this email