Independent Legislator Kao Chin Su-mei Indicted; Opposition Alleges Political Persecution, DPP Says Justice Is Color-Blind

(Central News Agency reporters Wang Yang-yu, Liu Guan-ting, and Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, June 9) Following the indictment of independent legislator Kao Chin Su-mei on charges of embezzling assistant fees, opposition legislators have questioned whether this constitutes political persecution and a witch hunt. Chuang Jui-hsiung, the Convener of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus in the Legislative Yuan, stated in an interview on the 9th, "We expect the judiciary to be neither wrong nor lenient. Justice is not about color or party affiliation. The parties involved should refute the facts for which they have been indicted."

DPP spokesperson Lin Chu-yin said on the same day, "While Ms. Kao loudly proclaims 'watching over the people's wallets,' she was misappropriating taxpayers' money. Her political and financial structure is extremely dark." She called on Kao to voluntarily cooperate with the judiciary and confess the truth to the public.

Kao is accused of embezzling a total of over NT$7.87 million in assistant fees, and her assistant, Chang Chun-chieh, is accused of fraudulently obtaining over NT$9.33 million in subsidies. On June 8, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted Kao and 23 others on charges including corruption, seeking a prison sentence of over 12 years and 6 months for Kao and over 16 years for Chang.

DPP caucus Convener Chuang Jui-hsiung, Secretary Fan Yun, and Deputy Secretary Wu Pei-yi held a press conference on public opinion on the 9th.

Regarding the opposition's allegations of political persecution and a witch hunt in Kao's indictment, Chuang said, "We cannot comment on the specifics of individual cases. However, regarding judicial matters, the DPP caucus's standard is consistent: we expect the judiciary to be neither wrong nor lenient. The judiciary does not discriminate based on party or color. The parties involved should refute the facts of their indictment."

Chuang further stated, "Everyone's judicial rights are equal. The parties involved should seek their maximum judicial rights, engage in a positive defense in court, and point out which evidence presented by the prosecutor is unreasonable. But what we are seeing now is not a refutation of the prosecution's content, but rather claims of political persecution and a witch hunt. This might evoke sympathy from the same political camp, but in the judicial system, evidence is everything. Excessive political excuses are meaningless."

When asked by reporters whether the proposal by the Pan-Blue coalition to extend the legislative session was to ensure their numerical advantage, given that 17 opposition legislators are facing judicial prosecution, Fan Yun said, "We urge these legislators with pending cases to face the judiciary properly. Do not treat the extension of the legislative session as an 'iron vest' or a 'protective umbrella.'"

In response, Wang Hung-wei, Deputy Secretary of the Kuomintang (KMT) caucus, said in a recorded video, "There are certainly many traces of political manipulation in the sentencing demand for Kao Chin Su-mei. The DPP has the audacity to talk about a 'protective umbrella.'"

Wang questioned, "Former DPP Secretary-General Wu Nai-jen owed Taiwan Sugar Corporation NT$170 million. It took the court 23 years to issue a detention warrant, and his whereabouts are still unknown. I ask the DPP, who gave Wu Nai-jen this 'protective umbrella'? How could this umbrella last so long and be so large?"

Furthermore, reporters asked about the Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee's plan to negotiate on the 10th regarding the opposition's proposed "Taiwan Future Account Special Statute Draft" and other bills.

Fan Yun questioned, "The bills proposed by the opposition essentially violate the Budget Act and also exacerbate wealth inequality. We hope they will reconsider."

Reporters also asked whether the government's decision to provide a growth allowance of NT$5,000 per person per month for children aged 0 to 18, scheduled to be implemented next year, would require legislative amendment or new legislation.

Chuang Jui-hsiung responded, "In the realm of benefit administration, especially social welfare policies, it is not always necessary to proceed through individual legislation. The key is the source of funding and whether the Legislative Yuan will approve it." (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150609