Indicted for Corruption, Kao Chin Su-mei Says 'The Night Will Surely End'

(Central News Agency, reporter Liu Guanting, Taipei, 8th) The Taipei District Prosecutors Office today indicted independent legislator Kao Chin Su-mei on charges of corruption and other offenses. Kao Chin Su-mei expressed gratitude to her lawyers and supporters, stating she will continue to defend the rights of indigenous peoples and oversee government administration. She said, 'The night will surely end, and everyone will be night watchmen holding torches, waiting for the dawn.'

Kao is accused of fraudulently claiming approximately NT$7.87 million in assistant fees. Her assistant, Zhang Junjie, is accused of fraudulently claiming approximately NT$9.33 million in subsidies. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted Kao and 23 others, seeking a sentence of over 12 years and 6 months for Kao and over 16 years for Zhang.

In a Facebook post, Kao denied establishing a company or providing capital for the 'Tribal Marketing' and 'Meiyuan Cultural Creative' projects mentioned in the indictment. She expressed sympathy for her assistants, who are exhausted from the case, and stated she is honored by their persistence in 'not forgetting their original intention.'

Regarding the issue of COVID-19 rapid test kits, Kao recalled the emergency situation when both vaccines and test kits were scarce. She stated that the situation was even more severe in resource-poor indigenous tribes. She questioned whether, as a legislator, she could have turned a blind eye when people were urgently calling for help.

Kao stated that to address the crisis, she appealed online for donations of masks and rapid test kits for the tribes. She expressed gratitude for the donations and support from all sectors, which provided timely protection for indigenous tribes. She expressed confusion as to why a life-saving act of epidemic prevention five years ago is now the basis for her prosecution. She deemed the searches and interrogations of her colleagues and assistants as unfair but believes that 'Heaven rewards diligence' and 'justice will prevail.'

Kao mentioned that since February 10th, she has often felt physically and mentally exhausted but has been encouraged by many friends, both known and unknown. She thanked everyone for their support, as well as her lawyers and tribal friends who have been concerned about her.

Kao emphasized that with everyone's support and encouragement, she will continue to defend the rights of indigenous peoples, oversee government administration, protect the people's finances, and safeguard peace. She reiterated, 'The night will surely end, and everyone will be night watchmen holding torches, waiting for the dawn.' (Editor: Su Longqi, Su Zhizong) 1150608