Taiwan Quick Take: NSC head under fire

National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (邱義仁) came under fire yesterday for earmarking NT$3.5 million (US$109,375) for the purchase of a new Lexus in next year's budget, but a legislative committee slashed the funding by NT$1 million. Chou said that the Lexus seemed a better option than a Cadillac -- the only two choices offered by the Central Trust of China. Chiou said that the council had spent more than NT$500,000 on a Cadillac in maintenance fees over the past three years. The committee also slashed a special presidential fund from NT$50 million to NT$20 million. The fund is at the heart of allegations of impropriety by the first family. Also, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) said that Chiou's official apartment on Tai-an Street is a 131-ping apartment with a market value of NT$65.5 million, much bigger and more expensive than other officials' residences. Chiou said that he had not requested the apartment but took what the National Property Bureau offered.