Tzu Chi's Fraud Response Under Scrutiny: Author Calls for Greater Transparency

A critical examination of the Tzu Chi Foundation's response to a significant financial fraud highlights lingering questions about transparency and internal governance. The author argues that while Tzu Chi is a victim of a NT$1.06 billion fraud related to a special vaccine project, its public statements have failed to adequately address public concerns.

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The statements emphasized that Tzu Chi set the upper limit based on the public market unit price in mid-June 2021, and made decisions within the scope of public information "on the premise that all procurement parties signed confidentiality clauses."

Several points of contention are raised regarding Tzu Chi's August 6 and August 7 statements. The author notes the conspicuous absence of information about commission fees, focusing instead on vaccine procurement costs and price caps. This, it is argued, sidesteps the core issue of the missing funds. Furthermore, the defense strategy presented in the statements appears to mirror the narrative requested by the individual accused of the fraud, raising questions about the foundation's independent verification processes.

The article also points to the omission of critical dates, particularly July 19, when the foundation's founder reportedly raised concerns. The statements' reliance on the foundation's lack of investigative power is deemed insufficient, as external checks and internal audits should have been conducted to track the expenditure of such a large sum. The author emphasizes that the question is not about the ability to report the crime, but about the failure to verify the transaction's details over four years.

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The question is not about how much was donated, but whether the money was actually used to buy vaccines.

Ultimately, the author stresses that Tzu Chi's credibility, built over 60 years, relies on public trust, not just its scale of operations. The article urges the foundation to release minutes from five extraordinary board meetings, the 2021 and 2022 audit reports, and clarify the financial classification of the funds. A call is also made for an externally led investigation and a comprehensive explanation to donors, emphasizing that true wisdom in doing good lies in introspection and clear communication.

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Doing good requires wisdom. Wisdom in an organization is governance; the starting point of governance is introspection, that's the very first thing the 'Still Thoughts' teachings taught us.