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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Taiwanese lawmaker reveals whistleblower identity in defamation case

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Taiwanese legislator Wang Hung-wei is being sued for defamation by political figure Lin Fei-fan.
  • The lawsuit stems from Wang's accusation that Lin, with the help of Premier Cho Jung-tai, secured a loan from a state-owned bank.
  • During a court hearing, Wang revealed the whistleblower who provided her with information was the former driver of a bank executive.

Taipei: Legislator Wang Hung-wei is facing a defamation lawsuit filed by Lin Fei-fan, a political figure who was allegedly involved in a loan scandal. The controversy began in 2023 when Wang accused Premier Cho Jung-tai of arranging a loan for Lin from a state-owned bank, a claim Lin denies.

I have no impression of whether she asked me for confirmation before holding the press conference.

— Lin Pai-yuFormer chairman Lin Pai-yu testified about his interactions with legislator Wang Hung-wei prior to her press conference.

During a recent court session, the focus was on a recording that Wang presented as evidence. The prosecution and defense debated whether the voice in the recording belonged to Lin Pai-yu, former chairman of Mega Securities Investment Trust Co., and whether the key phrases referred to "visiting" or "arranging a loan."

To substantiate her claims, Wang revealed the identity of her whistleblower in court: the former driver of Lin Pai-yu, identified only as "Zihao." Lin Fei-fan had initially intended to run against Wang in the 2024 legislative election for Taipei's third constituency.

I have no impression of saying these words, it should not be me, I don't remember.

— Lin Pai-yuLin Pai-yu denied recognizing his voice or statements in the audio recording presented as evidence.

Lin Pai-yu testified that he had no recollection of Wang Hung-wei seeking confirmation from him before her press conference. Lin Fei-fan's lawyers emphasized this point, suggesting Wang did not conduct adequate due diligence before making her allegations. Lin Pai-yu also stated he did not recall specific conversations or meetings with Lin Fei-fan, further complicating the evidence.

I am not sure if the audio is my voice, but I have never said those words.

— Lin Pai-yuLin Pai-yu reiterated his denial of making the alleged statements in the recording.

Wang's legal team requested to summon "Zihao" and review the audio recording in the next hearing. The court reserved judgment. Following the hearing, Wang explained her decision to reveal the whistleblower's identity, citing past experiences where protecting sources led to unfavorable legal outcomes. She asserted that she had a legitimate source for her claims.

I want to explain that I indeed have a source, and it is Lin Pai-yu's driver.

— Wang Hung-weiLegislator Wang Hung-wei confirmed the identity of her source during a post-hearing interview.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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