Environment Minister Pledges Stricter Rules Amid Breach of Trust Probe into Agency Head
Yen Hsu-ming, Director-General of the Ministry of Environment's Environmental Management Administration, was questioned and released on bail in a probe for alleged breach of public trust. In response, Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming stated on the 20th that he would fully cooperate with the investigation and has already removed Yen from his managerial post. Peng also announced stricter regulations on the use of official vehicles and special expenses within the ministry, a move that also addresses revelations by lawmakers about Yen's misconduct, such as requesting VIP lounge access from an airline during a trip to Europe while a disaster was occurring in Hualien. The position of director-general is being temporarily filled by Administrative Deputy Minister Shen Chih-hsiu to ensure operational stability.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 15:07
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 16:02 (55 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 18:22 (2h 19m after Collected)
(CNA, Taipei, May 20) Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming reiterated today that he will fully cooperate with the prosecutorial investigation to clarify the truth regarding the case of Environmental Management Administration (EMA) Director-General Yen Hsu-ming, who is suspected of breach of public trust, and will tighten relevant regulations on the use of official vehicles and special expenses at the Ministry of Environment. EMA Director-General Yen Hsu-ming was questioned and released on bail by the Taichung District Prosecutors Office for suspected breach of public trust and other offenses. The Ministry of Environment stated it would fully cooperate with the investigation and has reassigned Yen to a non-managerial position. The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Health Environment Committee continued its review today of the Ministry of Environment's budget for the central government's fiscal year 115. During the review of the EMA's budget, several legislators demanded that the Ministry of Environment submit a review report on the case. Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming stated that the first priority is to fully cooperate with the investigation to ascertain the facts, requiring the EMA to provide all necessary materials to the prosecution. Additionally, stricter regulations will be established for the use of official vehicles and special expenses within the ministry. Peng pointed out that a legislator had revealed that while a disaster was unfolding in Guangfu Township, Hualien County, Yen was on a 10-day inspection tour in Europe and had issued an official document requesting a national airline to provide VIP lounge access. Peng admitted, "This incident itself should be reviewed," and has therefore strictly prohibited all ministry personnel from issuing official letters to airlines to request VIP lounge access. The Ministry of Environment noted that it has completed the personnel adjustment by its authority, reassigning Yen to a non-managerial position. Considering the heavy workload of the EMA and the critical flood prevention period, to ensure the quality of environmental management and stable administrative operations, the position of Director-General will be temporarily filled by Administrative Deputy Minister Shen Chih-hsiu to ensure a seamless transition for all environmental protection tasks. The Ministry of Environment reiterated that integrity is the most fundamental professional ethic for civil servants and the foundation of government administration. Yen's case will be handled according to the law based on the results of the judicial investigation, with no leniency. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150520