Former Taipei City official detained in Xinsheng probe

Chen Chih-sheng, a former section chief of the New Construction Office (NCO) under the city's Public Works Department, was remanded to custody early yesterday morning.

He was among five former or incumbent city officials that were questioned by prosecutors following a raid on Tuesday on their offices and homes.

Huang Hsi-hsun, former chief of the NCO, was released on NT$500,000 bail but given a travel ban.

Li Mei, an employee of Join Engineering Consultants, the contractor for improving the Xinsheng overpass, was granted bail of NT$300,000.

The other incumbent and former officials were released after questioning.

“I'm saddened,” Taipei Mayor Hau responded to the latest development.

He said it has always been his “core value” to run a clean government, and admitted that Xinsheng procurement case will definitely dealt a blow to his reelection campaign.

“I will act rapidly to clear up public doubt and do my job well. I'm confident that my campaign will restabilize,” Hau said.

He said he believes prosecutors will make a thorough investigation and present the facts to the nation.

The city government will also conduct a thorough probe into all procurement projects related to the Taipei International Flora Expo, as well as other city procurement projects.

The prosecutors started the probe at the request by Hau following allegations that the flora expo was purchasing flowers at inflated prices.

The allegations made by several Democratic Progressive Party deputies to the city council specifically pointed to the flowers that had been planted under the Xinsheng overpass.

The city government has denied that there was connection between the Xinsheng project and the flora expo.

The detained ex-NCO official last month responded to the Xinsheng allegations by saying the inflated prices for some flowers were the result of a “simple mistake.”

Since the revelations about the Xinsheng flowers, DPP city councilors have been conducting frequent investigation of the flora expo facilities, and they have made more allegations about over-priced items.

To prevent frequent exposes, Hau has ordered that city councilors or any others will have obtain permissions before they can inspect the flora expo facilities.

Hau, justifying his order, said yesterday that it is necessary to maintain security of the international event, and the measure is not targeting city councilors specifically.

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

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email