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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Crime & Justice

Tzu Chi defrauded of NT$1.06 billion in vaccine purchase; Ko Wen-je slams Chen Shih-chung, DPP as 'shameless'

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Taiwan's Tzu Chi Foundation was defrauded of NT$1.06 billion (US$33 million) during its purchase of BNT vaccines.
  • Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je criticized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and former health minister Chen Shih-chung for demanding apologies, accusing them of lacking conscience.
  • Ko argued the government's failure to secure vaccines forced private organizations like Tzu Chi to step in, and criticized the government for then mocking those who were defrauded.

A major controversy has erupted in Taiwan over the alleged defrauding of the Tzu Chi Foundation of NT$1.06 billion (US$33 million) during its procurement of BNT vaccines. The incident has led to a public spat between former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), including former health minister Chen Shih-chung.

Ko Wen-je, a key figure in the opposition Taiwan People's Party, vehemently defended Tzu Chi and criticized the DPP government and Chen Shih-chung. He accused them of being "shameless" and lacking conscience for demanding apologies from him and current Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. Ko highlighted that the government, despite a special budget of NT$840 billion (US$26 billion) for pandemic control, failed to adequately supply masks, rapid tests, vaccines, and even hospital beds.

As a surgeon, I'll just state the conclusion: the DPP government and Chen Shih-chung are truly shameless! They have no conscience, no morality!

— Ko Wen-jeKo Wen-je's reaction to the DPP's demand for apologies regarding the vaccine procurement fraud.

"If the government could have bought vaccines itself, would these things have happened?" Ko questioned. He argued that the government's inaction forced private entities like Foxconn, TSMC, and Tzu Chi to procure vaccines. "Now that the government didn't do its job and forced the private sector to find vaccines in desperation, the government is now mocking them, saying 'Oh! You were defrauded!'" Ko exclaimed, calling the government's stance "shameless."

The controversy stems from reports that Tzu Chi was swindled out of a significant sum while attempting to purchase BNT vaccines. The DPP and Chen Shih-chung have reportedly called for apologies from Ko and Chiang, suggesting they should take responsibility. However, Ko has turned the tables, asserting that the government's own procurement failures are the root cause of the issue.

If the government could have bought vaccines itself, would these things have happened? Now that the government didn't do its job and forced the private sector to find vaccines in desperation, the government is now mocking them, saying 'Oh! You were defrauded!'

— Ko Wen-jeKo Wen-je criticizing the government's response to the vaccine procurement fraud.
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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