New controversy arose over former Taipei City Department of Sports commissioner Yang Jong-her (楊忠和) over the weekend, amid rumors that he might have tried to help relatives’ companies while in office.
Yang resigned suddenly last month after less than a month in office. He said that he felt it was time to move on after completing “interim responsibilities,” such as deciding to use artificial turf in 2017 Universiade venues.
While the previous administration had not ruled out using artificial turf for certain venues, it had planned to largely use natural grass, Taipei Department of Sports spokesman Ting Lo-ting (丁落亭) said.
Media revelations that Yang’s brother-in-law, Cheng Shu-en (鄭樹恩), was president of Shenyingtai Co and Lintai Athletic Products Co — two of the nation’s three main manufacturers of artificial turf — has raised concerns that his decision in favor of artificial turf could have been meant to benefit his brother-in-law’s firms.
However, Yang defended his decision, saying artificial turf was chosen because it was easier to care for in Taiwan’s climate and would allow greater use of the venues.
Yang also criticized the media reports, saying that Lintai Athletic Products Co had been dissolved, while Shenyingtai Co mainly sold medical products.
For the first time, he blamed Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) for his resignation, saying Ko’s micromanagement of the sports department had led to his decision.
Meanwhile, Ko yesterday said he had already decided to use artificial turf for the Universiade venues because of practical considerations.
The Sports Administration and the Chinese Taipei Football Association had long suggested using artificial turf, and his own research found the prices for artificial turf and natural lawn to be ab out the same, the mayor said.
“Considering Taiwan’s climate, it would not be easy to maintain natural lawn,” Ko said. “So this actually has nothing to do with Yang Jong-her.”
Asked if the city government would probe Yang’s business dealings, Ko said the city government “should use whatever it should use [for the venues],” adding that while business interests could be a concern, as long as the price was reasonable there was no need to be suspicious.
Attorney Richard Lu (呂秋遠), a member of Ko’s Clean Government Commission, questioned some of Yang’s statements in a Facebook post, saying that Ministry of Economic Affairs records show that Shenyingtai’s business interest include providing equipment for use in athletic fields and laying down resin-based materials for athletic tracks and ball fields.
Additional reporting by Loa Iok-sin
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