The longer the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation crisis goes on, the more intense it becomes, with former aides, associates and relatives of former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) all offering conflicting accounts and allegations.
To outsiders, the situation remains unclear. Some statements regarding Ma’s comments have prompted claims that the former president may be experiencing cognitive decline.
The matter has now moved into judicial proceedings, which some interpret as an effort to “clean up” his affairs.
For a leader once associated with integrity and clean governance, this is an uncomfortable moment.
The dispute was triggered by Ma questioning the financial discipline of former foundation personnel, including former Ma Ying-jeou Foundation CEO Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑), over allegations that donations were received but not properly recorded in official accounts.
For the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), the situation is particularly awkward, as a former president and party chairman is publicly clashing with Hsiao, an incumbent vice chairman who has played a key role in facilitating cross-strait exchanges for the current leadership.
The ruling party, meanwhile, has shown restraint. It has neither commented on the foundation’s internal affairs or Ma’s personal matters nor sought to exploit the controversy politically. That is a commendable approach.
However, former National Security Council secretary-general King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) recently released a photo showing Xiamen Taiwan Businessmen Association chairman Han Ying-huan (韓螢煥) and Hsiao exchanging what appeared to be a large sum of money.
King questioned why the cash had not been properly accounted for and accused Hsiao of violating financial discipline.
In response, Hsiao said that after President William Lai (賴清德) was elected in 2024, many Taiwanese businesses overseas feared scrutiny from authorities and chose to make personal donations to Ma rather than to the foundation.
It is an explanation typical of those who never miss an opportunity to blame Lai or the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for any issue, large or small.
However, the timeline raises obvious questions. Are we to believe that Hsiao predicted Lai’s victory in the 2024 presidential election when the photograph was taken in October 2023? Why would someone so worried about an investigation be so eager to pose for a photograph while holding a large wad of cash?
The final flaw is that the foundation is a registered legal entity under New Taipei City. Any allegations of financial misconduct would therefore fall under the jurisdiction of the city government led by the KMT’s own Hou You-yi (侯友宜), not an administration that was not even in office at the time.
The attempt to blame Lai for Hsiao’s predicament is little more than desperation. The DPP need not respond further; it can simply sit back and watch.
Chen Wen-ching works in environmental services.
Translated by Gilda Knox Streader
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