Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Ma made the comments while answering a question from reporters after Taipei City councilors Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青) and Yen Sheng-kuan (顏聖冠) of the Democratic Progressive Party alleged earlier yesterday at a news conference that Ma has made a small fortune from government subsidies given for each vote he gained during the last two Taipei mayoral elections, in 1998 and 2002.
The councilors pointed out that the bank balances of Ma and his wife combined had increased by more than NT$40 million during the period 1993-2004 and claimed that the couple's assets increased most noticeably in the wake of the two elections.
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
According to Ma, he donated about 90 percent -- some NT$47 million -- in gains from the government's financial assistance for his participation in the two elections to two charity groups that were set up during the 1998 Taipei mayoral race.
Combined with more than NT$3 million in salary he earned while serving as a National Assembly member and other small-sum donations, he has already contributed as much as NT$53 million to charity, Ma said.
He stressed that he welcomed anyone to produce solid evidence of him funneling government election subsidies into his own pockets.
Ma, who also serves as Chinese Nationalist Party chairman, enjoys strong public support because of his clean image.
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
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