A leather briefcase that belonged to former Department of Health (DOH) minister Yaung Chih-liang (楊志良) was sold in an online auction for NT$5,000,900 (US$170,000) yesterday, the highest auction price paid on Taiwan Yahoo’s charity auction Web site since it began in 2002.
As Yaung has promised to donate all the proceeds from the sale and another NT$500,000 from his own pocket to the Bureau of National Health Insurance to help fund those who cannot afford to pay insurance premiums, the amount will be the largest single donation the bureau has received.
Yaung expressed surprise that his briefcase, bought for NT$3,000 five years ago before he was named as the Department of Health minister in 2009, fetched so much.
Yaung tendered his resignation early last month after the Legislative Yuan approved his department’s proposal to reform the debt-ridden national health insurance program. He said he had accomplished his task and fulfilled his duties in the department.
Cheng Hui-chia (鄭惠嘉), Taiwan Yahoo’s deputy manager of public relations, said previous popular items auctioned on the site include a car carrying director Ang Lee’s (李安) signature, Taiwanese supermodel Lin Chi-ling’s (林志玲) limited edition calendar and a baseball signed by pitcher Wang Chien-ming (王建民), their prices ranging between NT$100,000 and NT$1 million.
The briefcase auction started 11 days ago with a starting price of NT$1,000. Yaung said he has asked for the money to be remitted to six separate charity accounts established by the bureau tomorrow, when he will deliver the briefcase in person to the winning bidder.
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