Tzu Chi defrauded of NT$1 billion; netizens recall KMT's past 'failed' post

A former lawyer, Chen Yu-hsuan, has been indicted for allegedly defrauding the Tzu Chi Foundation of NT$1.06 billion (approximately $32 million USD) through a scheme involving vaccine procurement. This development has ignited a firestorm online, drawing sharp criticism towards Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) party.

Netizens have flooded the KMT's social media pages, particularly recalling a 2022 Facebook post where the party accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government of obstructing Tzu Chi's efforts to purchase BNT vaccines. At the time, the KMT alleged that the DPP government was hindering the public's access to vaccines and even labeled Tzu Chi's procurement attempt as a "great scam of the century."

Now, with the indictment revealing the alleged fraud, the narrative has dramatically shifted. Many online commenters are pointing out the irony and hypocrisy, with some stating that "the tide has gone out, and we can see that the entire KMT is not wearing pants." The incident has led to widespread mockery of the KMT's past accusations and calls for an apology to former health minister Chen Shih-chung, who was a target of the KMT's criticism during the vaccine procurement controversy.

The situation highlights a significant political fallout, with the KMT facing backlash for its previous stance. The alleged fraud case has seemingly vindicated Chen Shih-chung and the DPP government's position at the time, turning a past political attack into a source of public ridicule for the KMT.