The Presidential Office yesterday sought to keep its distance from a family feud involving a tycoon whose wife accused the families of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Vice President Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) of meddling in a private dispute.
Presidential Office spokesman Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said Ma and Siew’s position had always been that their family members cannot use their name or status as relatives of members of the executive to interfere in private disputes involving other individuals.
They have barred their family members from doing so since they began public service, Lo said.
In its latest issue, Next Magazine reported that members of Ma’s and Siew’s families were involved in the power struggle at Y&C International Co, which is famous for Takataoya roasted seaweed slices.
The report said the wife of the founder, Chen Yu-yeh (陳玉葉), alleged that Siew’s brother, Siew Wan-te (蕭萬德) — who was once chairman of the company — had colluded with her son to steal more than NT$30 million (US$1 million) from the company after Siew Wan-te was fired in November 2009.
Chen says her son owned the company illegally and obtained substantial assistance and support from Siew Wan-te.
Frustrated by law enforcement authorities, which Chen said have sided with Siew Wan-te, Chen said she then asked Chin Hou-jing (秦厚敬), the youngest brother of Ma’s mother, Chin Hou-hsiu (秦厚修), for help.
The report said Chin Hou-jing told his sister and Ma about this matter, but Ma did not want Chin Hou-jing to get involved.
Lo yesterday said that at no point did Ma contact anyone involved in the controversy or try to intervene in any way, nor did Siew introduce any family members to Yang Chih-chin (楊智欽), Chen’s son, as the magazine reported. In addition, Siew Wan-te is not Vincent Siew’s brother, but his cousin, Lo said.
As for Chin Hou-jing and Siew Wan-te, Lo said it was the duo’s responsibility to explain the matter to the public and that the Presidential Office was in no position to offer comment.
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