Wang Hung-wei Questions MAC's NT$9.8 Million Office Renovation; MAC Responds 'Following Cost-Saving Principles'

By Central News Agency Reporter Lu Chia-jung, Taipei, June 17

KMT legislator Wang Hung-wei questioned the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) today during a legislative session, alleging that MAC spent NT$9.8 million renovating an office. In response, MAC stated this afternoon that the space had not been renovated for 30 years and, in accordance with relevant provisions of the Government Procurement Act, the project was awarded at NT$9.8 million after multiple negotiations with contractors under the principle of cost-saving.

During a morning session at the Interior Committee of the Legislative Yuan, Wang questioned MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng on budget allocation, criticizing MAC for frequently claiming limited budgets while spending NT$9.8 million to renovate an office space of approximately 10 ping (about 33 square meters). She questioned whether such expenditure was justified.

Wang also presented a photo of an office in her briefing, appearing luxurious. However, the image was generated by AI and not an actual photograph.

Chiu responded that the room in question is a 'multi-functional meeting room.' He explained that MAC has limited meeting spaces, and this newly acquired room can be used by all MAC staff for meetings.

Later in the day, MAC issued a written statement further clarifying the renovation. Due to limited meeting space and frequent needs for closed-door meetings, MAC evaluated multiple options and coordinated with the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Cooperation and Promotion Council (hereinafter 'the Council') to convert the former chairman's office of the Council into a multi-functional meeting room. The renovated space will serve not only the Council (including its cultural and economic divisions) but also MAC's internal closed-door meetings, improving space utilization efficiency and saving costs on external venue rentals.

MAC explained that the space had not been renovated for 30 years, requiring repairs to fire safety systems, ceilings, flooring, walls, electrical and mechanical piping, and air conditioning. Under the Government Procurement Act, MAC conducted multiple negotiations with contractors, balancing fire safety, operational needs, and quality, ultimately awarding the contract for NT$9.8 million under cost-saving principles.

MAC also emphasized that the photo presented by Wang during her inquiry was not of the 18th-floor multi-functional meeting room at MAC. Additionally, the threshold for public announcement under the 'Procurement Bidding Regulations for Central Agencies Below Announcement Amount' was raised from NT$1 million to NT$1.5 million starting in 2023 (Minguo Year 112). Therefore, there is no truth to Wang's claim that MAC deliberately kept the amount below NT$1 million to circumvent procurement regulations. (Edited by Chen Kai-yu) 1150617

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