Keelung Metro Anti-Corruption Platform Launched, 100th Nationwide Case Holds Symbolic Significance

The New Taipei City Department of Rapid Transit Systems today launched the 'Keelung Metro Project Procurement Agency Anti-Corruption Platform,' jointly declaring with the Anti-Corruption Agency and other agencies to safeguard the NT$69.689 billion Keelung Metro project. This is the 100th anti-corruption platform established by the Anti-Corruption Agency nationwide, holding significant symbolic value.

New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-ih, Director Hsieh Ming-kuan of the Ministry of Justice's Anti-Corruption Agency, and Chief Prosecutor Kuo Yung-fa of the Taiwan New Taipei District Prosecutors Office, joined forces with the New Taipei City Investigation Unit of the Ministry of Justice's Investigation Bureau and the Taiwan Transparency Organization Association to jointly announce the establishment of the procurement integrity platform.

Wang Yi-hsiang, Deputy Director of the New Taipei City Rapid Transit Engineering Bureau, outlined in his briefing the engineering challenges faced by the Keelung Metro project, including high-risk, high-difficulty works such as underground stations and shield tunneling. Additionally, the project requires dismantling and reconnecting transfer routes at the operational Nangang Exhibition Center MRT Station, and replacing existing sewage pipelines within the station—new pipelines must be constructed before the old ones are removed.

Moreover, Nangang Road is a vital artery connecting Nangang District in Taipei City and Xizhi District in New Taipei City, requiring careful traffic maintenance during construction. Some station structures require relocating high-voltage pipelines owned by Taiwan Power Company, while land delivery from the Taiwan Railways Administration also presents engineering challenges.

Cheng Chih-ming, Deputy Director of the New Taipei City Rapid Transit Engineering Bureau, told Central News Agency reporters that the Keelung Metro will serve as a key transportation corridor linking the Taipei-New Taipei-Keelung metropolitan area. The integrity platform, jointly participated in by prosecutors, investigators, anti-corruption agencies, and civil groups, ensures transparency in the Keelung Metro and other rail projects. By involving professional agencies and external experts, the platform aims to eliminate improper external interference in bidding, contracting, and procurement processes, creating an environment where civil servants can act with confidence.

Mayor Hou emphasized the current strategies for advancing the Keelung Metro, including prioritizing detailed design, initiating early construction works, prioritizing tendering for underground turnkey contracts, and planning for future expansion of electromechanical systems. Given the massive investment and long-term impact of metro construction, collaboration with 'friendly forces' can prevent improper external interference and integrity risks, allowing contractors to fulfill their obligations with peace of mind.

Director Hsieh highlighted that the procurement integrity platform establishes a cross-domain communication channel for agencies, enabling prosecutors, anti-corruption units, and investigative bodies to participate in major infrastructure projects. Today’s platform not only safeguards a major project worth NT$69.689 billion but also marks the 100th such platform nationwide since the Anti-Corruption Agency initiated the mechanism—holding symbolic significance. He expressed hope that the Keelung Metro will be completed on time and to high quality, enhancing urban competitiveness and driving regional development. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150611