Content discovered on Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je’s (柯文哲) hard drive comparing himself to Emperor Yongzheng was merely a joke in the form of a historical metaphor, former TPP legislator Tsai Pi-ru (蔡壁如) said today.
Tsai was summoned twice as a witness in the Core Pacific City corruption case and spent nearly 20 hours answering questions, which mostly revolved around trivial daily matters and Ko’s Line conversation records, she said.
According to Tsai’s testimony, Ko often likened himself to Emperor Yongzheng (雍正) and compared her to Nian Gengyao (年羹堯), a historical figure whose accomplishments overshadowed his ruler.
Photo: Su Meng-chuan, Taipei Times
This caused rumors that Tsai was seen by Ko as a “threat to party leadership,” but Tsai said they often joked this way since their time together at National Taiwan University Hospital.
This detail is irrelevant to the case, she said, questioning why prosecutors would bring up such a topic.
Prosecutors never asked her if she knew Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), the founder and chairman of the Core Pacific Group, she said.
Tsai was unable to meet Ko upon his release on bail today due to her status as a witness in the case.
Tsai recently resigned from her position as an advisor to the Taichung City Government and hopes to return to the TPP Central Committee.
Tsai has an “irrevocable affection” for the TPP, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) said this morning, approving her resignation and respecting her decision.
Tsai said that after hearing about Ko's indictment yesterday, she was very upset and left speechless.
As Ko is prohibited from contacting witnesses after being released on bail, Tsai said she would wait until the case is clarified to meet with him.
Tsai expressed her longing for Ko, saying she “misses him a lot.”
During this challenging time, she wants to reunite with the party and discuss how it should move forward, she said.
Tsai plans to run for the party’s Central Committee in the upcoming elections on Jan. 19 next year, she said.
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