Independent Legislator Chiu Yi (
All five of the commissioners were charged with corruption on Tuesday.
Chiu said prosecutors should probe Hsieh's role in the scandal.
In response, Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Pasuya Yao (
"Chiu has made many allegations that were later proved wrong, and Chiu should apologize for his incorrect remarks," Yao said, relaying comments made by Hsieh.
Yao said that Chiu earlier this month alleged that the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp had used sea sand in cement used in the MRT's construction, but tests by the city later proved this to be untrue.
Chiu made the accusations against Hsieh yesterday during a meeting of the legislature's Judiciary Committee.
Chiu said the bid committee had consisted of three members appointed by the city government and two members from the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp (KRTC).
Chui added that he had city government documents that said Hsieh had picked the city's three commissioners.
"The public should be suspicious of Hsieh's role in the scandal, and to clarify the matter prosecutors should swiftly summon Hsieh for questioning," Chiu said.
Chiu also said there were ties between one of the commissioners and the chairman of the firm that won the biggest MRT contract.
He said Wu Meng-te (
Chui alleged that Wu must have helped HCBC win an NT$8 billion (US$238 million) construction contract for the MRT.
Kaohsiung prosecutors suspect that the awarding of HCBC's contract violated the law.
State Public Prosecutor General Wu Ying-chao (吳英昭) during the meeting said that prosecutors would summon Hsieh for questioning only if the investigation requires him to speak with prosecutors.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) yesterday announced a ban on all current and former government officials from traveling to China to attend a military parade on Sept. 3, which Beijing is to hold to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War. "This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the Republic of China’s victory in the War of Resistance [Against Japan]," MAC Deputy Minister and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) told a regular news briefing in Taipei. To prevent Beijing from using the Sept. 3 military parade and related events for "united
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