Chen Hsueh-sheng Granted Bail in NT$2 Million Case; Weng Hsiao-ling Slams 'Green Terror'

Taiwanese legislator Chen Hsueh-sheng of the Kuomintang (KMT) party has been granted bail of NT$2 million (approximately $62,000 USD) and faces restrictions on leaving the country as he is investigated for allegedly using relatives to defraud assistant fees and accepting improper benefits from shipping and maritime companies. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office is examining allegations that Chen improperly claimed assistant fees and received labor from industry professionals.

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The judiciary is targeting several senior legislators, digging up old cases in an unreasonable manner. This is green terror.

KMT legislator Weng Hsiao-ling strongly criticized the investigation, asserting that the judiciary is targeting senior lawmakers. She claimed that old cases are being resurrected in an "unreasonable manner" just before elections, creating a negative public impression. "This is green terror," Weng stated during an interview on Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC) radio, suggesting the timing of the investigation is politically motivated.

Weng questioned why these alleged offenses, some reportedly dating back six or seven years, were not addressed earlier. She also pointed to a similar investigation involving independent legislator Kao Chin-mei as evidence of a pattern. Weng argued that current laws do not explicitly prohibit legislators from hiring relatives as assistants, and questioned the fairness of barring family members from receiving salaries for their work.

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Why were these cases not handled or investigated in the first place? After six or seven years, suddenly they say Chen Hsueh-sheng is involved in corruption?

The accusations against Chen involve claims of using friends and relatives as "figureheads" to claim salaries. Weng believes that such allegations, even if just headlines, cause significant damage to elected officials. She argued that the focus on assistant fees is disproportionate and contributes to a perception of judicial overreach, particularly during election periods.

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The current Organic Act of the Legislative Yuan does not prohibit legislators from hiring relatives as assistants. So, if his relatives or nephews help with local services, can they not receive a salary?