The ongoing probe into the alleged abduction of KMT lawmaker Huang Hsien-chou (黃顯洲) has cast a shadow on his squeaky-clean image.
Described by colleagues as cautious, gentle and low key, Huang, 43, jolted the nation on Jan. 2 when he revealed during a news conference that he had been kidnapped by underworld figures between Dec. 27 and Dec. 31.
TAIPEI TIMES FILE PHOTO
He rolled up his sleeves to show what he claimed were wounds inflicted by his kidnappers in a hotel room at the Grand Hyatt Taipei, where he says he was drugged, tied up, held at gun point and robbed of NT$800,000 in cash.
The departing lawmaker linked the mishap to his attempt to mediate a financial dispute on behalf of a constituent. But investigators have called Huang's testimony into question, noting that a hotel room is a peculiar locus for extending such assistance.
KMT legislator Apollo Chen (陳學聖), who belongs to the party's Reformist faction, of which Huang is also a member, painted his colleague as a serious, compassionate person who has no appetite for the limelight.
"While most lawmakers vie for a spot on finance or other popular committees," Chen said, "Huang immersed himself in the study of science and technology bills. He also shows deep concern for the underprivileged and has been actively involved in charity activities."
Chen says he was shocked by the incident's sensational twists.
On Jan. 3, Chan Hui-hua (
Even more bizarre, Chan's handicapped brother, Chan Fu-shun (詹富順), told the press the next day Huang had lied about what transpired during his "captivity." He insisted Huang had a wild sex party in the hotel room where the lawmaker smoked marijuana, used the drug ecstasy and engaged in sadomasochistic games with his sister and two other women.
Forensic tests are being conducted on all parties involved for traces of drug use, as Huang's aides try to cast doubt on any potentially positive test results.
"The lawmaker had been in treatment for spinal pain before the Dec. 1 elections and the medicine he took may affect the test's outcome," said Huang's secretary Liu Ming-hui (劉明暉). "While held hostage, he could have used illicit drugs under duress."
Huang has since shunned the media.
After earning his master's degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1985, Hwang worked in turn as a college lecturer, engineer, advisor for the former provincial government and member of the National Assembly. In 1998, he won a seat representing his home city of Taichung in the legislature. In the last three years, he took a seat on the Sci-tech and Information Committee and played a role in passing legislation on electronic signatures, the regulation of the telecommunications industry and the management of science-based parks.
Partly due to his work, the legislature passed a law that encourages the private sector to take part in public construction projects.
In addition, Huang has pushed for the establishment of a national construction department. The DPP administration is receptive to the plan as it fits in with its bid to remake government.
KMT legislator Lin Kuo-lung (
"I cannot imagine him doing anything this nonsensical," Lin said. "He was always very attentive and conscientious when reviewing bills."
Like many others, Lin shied away from passing judgment, saying he didn't know Huang that well and citing the fact that the case was still under investigation.
Huang, who failed to win a second term, is due to vacate his office at the end of this month. On the campaign trail, he portrayed himself as a family man who considered nothing more important than putting food on the table and vowed, if re-elected, to help his constituents meet their needs.
Whatever the truth, it's no secret that many politicians in Taiwan are fond of having extravagant nightlives. Parties who bitterly bicker over policy issues in the daytime are frequently reconciled at night in company of gorgeous hostesses while eating delicious food.
Earlier, DPP lawmaker Hsu Jung-shu (
"You bet, there are many womanizers in the DPP," Hsu said. "And some have broken families as a result of their promiscuity."
People First Party legislator Chou Hsi-wei (
"Rumors that some colleagues lead a loose life are nothing new," he said, declining to name any except adding that "birds of a feather flock together."
Commenting along similar lines, KMT lawmaker Chen Ching-pao (
"As a microcosm of society, the legislature has its share of hypocrites," Chen said. "I'm glad I'll be leaving this place soon."
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
TRADE: A mandatory declaration of origin for manufactured goods bound for the US is to take effect on May 7 to block China from exploiting Taiwan’s trade channels All products manufactured in Taiwan and exported to the US must include a signed declaration of origin starting on May 7, the Bureau of Foreign Trade announced yesterday. US President Donald Trump on April 2 imposed a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan, but one week later announced a 90-day pause on its implementation. However, a universal 10 percent tariff was immediately applied to most imports from around the world. On April 12, the Trump administration further exempted computers, smartphones and semiconductors from the new tariffs. In response, President William Lai’s (賴清德) administration has introduced a series of countermeasures to support affected
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
CROSS-STRAIT: The vast majority of Taiwanese support maintaining the ‘status quo,’ while concern is rising about Beijing’s influence operations More than eight out of 10 Taiwanese reject Beijing’s “one country, two systems” framework for cross-strait relations, according to a survey released by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Thursday. The MAC’s latest quarterly survey found that 84.4 percent of respondents opposed Beijing’s “one country, two systems” formula for handling cross-strait relations — a figure consistent with past polling. Over the past three years, opposition to the framework has remained high, ranging from a low of 83.6 percent in April 2023 to a peak of 89.6 percent in April last year. In the most recent poll, 82.5 percent also rejected China’s