In response to investigations related to avoidance of conflicts of interest by public officials, the Supervisory Yuan launched an investigation into former Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chen Mingwen and imposed a fine of 400,000 yuan. (File photo)
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan has been embroiled in a controversy over privileges and avoidance of benefits. The Kuomintang mobilized its blue camp members and legislators to accuse the Supervisory Yuan of intervening in Chiang Wanan's eldest son's student exchange case, accusing the "state machinery of moving." However, in response to investigations related to avoidance of conflicts of interest by public officials, the Supervisory Yuan has also launched investigations into former Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chen Mingwen and current Overseas Chinese Affairs Council Chairman Xu Jiaqing in the past, and fined them 400,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan respectively.
Former Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chen Mingwen purchased three pieces of land in Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County for 30 million yuan in the 1990s. The land was originally an old-style pig farm. After the purchase, it was registered under the name of his son Chen Guanting, named "Yongcai Livestock Farm" and operated. After transformation and upgrading, he applied for subsidies from the Agriculture Committee of the Executive Yuan (now the Ministry of Agriculture).
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After filing an investigation, the Supervisory Yuan concluded that Chen Mingwen applied for a subsidy that was handled in an open and fair manner in accordance with legal provisions between 110 and 112. Although he met the application qualifications, he did not take the initiative to truthfully state his identity and relationship in the application documents, violating Article 14, Paragraph 2 of the "Public Officials' Conflict of Interest Avoidance Act." Last year, he was fined 400,000 yuan after review.
In addition, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Council participated in organizing the "Overseas Chinese Youth Dongsha Ecological Experience Camp" last year. It was revealed that the chairman of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Council, Xu Jiaqing, relaxed the registration qualifications and opened a back door to take his son to Dongsha Island. The Supervisory Yuan investigated and found that he violated the "Public Officials' Conflict of Interest Avoidance Act" and fined him 100,000 yuan.
However, regarding the announcement of cases with confirmed fines, the Supervisory Yuan stated that in accordance with the provisions of Article 2, Paragraph 5 of the "Integrity Committee Establishment Measures" of the Supervisory Yuan, it must be reviewed by the Integrity Committee composed of the Supervisory Committee. Only after the 7th Supervisory Committee takes office and the Integrity Committee is formed can the list of fines and penalties be reviewed and published in the special issue of Integrity. The current anti-corruption special issue has not been suspended, but it is difficult to make announcements at this stage in accordance with the provisions of the above-mentioned laws and regulations regarding the announcement of cases in which fines have been determined.
In response to investigations related to avoidance of conflicts of interest among public officials, the Supervisory Yuan once launched an investigation into Xu Jiaqing, the current chairman of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Council, and imposed a fine of 100,000 yuan. (File photo)
