Tzu Chi Vaccine Fraud Controversy Escalates as KMT Questions Official's Role

A controversy surrounding the Tzu Chi Foundation's procurement of COVID-19 vaccines has intensified, with the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party questioning the government's handling of the situation and alleging a diversion from other scandals. The case involves allegations that a former Changhua lawyer, Chen Yu-hsuan, defrauded the foundation of approximately NT$1.06 billion by claiming to facilitate the procurement of BNT vaccines.

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The truth has now come to light.

Former Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung, now a minister without portfolio in the Executive Yuan, stated that he had repeatedly warned against vaccine scams during the pandemic. He asserted that "the truth has now come to light." However, KMT Culture and Communications Committee Chairman Chen Hsin-hsin challenged Chen Shih-chung, demanding to know if he was aware of the alleged fraud by the lawyer at the time. Chen Hsin-hsin accused Chen Shih-chung of using the Tzu Chi case to deflect attention from a "toxic oil" scandal that has plagued the government since June of the previous year.

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Chen Shih-chung should first answer whether he knew about the lawyer's alleged fraud back then before defending himself.

Chen Hsin-hsin further questioned Chen Shih-chung's actions, asking why, if he was aware of the alleged fraud, he did not inform Tzu Chi, especially since he was seen with foundation representatives at the airport to receive vaccines and took photos together. Conversely, if he was unaware, Chen Hsin-hsin questioned the basis of Chen Shih-chung's current claims of correct judgment. The KMT official criticized Chen Shih-chung, suggesting he was either complicit in not reporting the fraud or is now attempting to link two unrelated events to exonerate himself.

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Don't use Tzu Chi to divert attention from the toxic oil issue.

The KMT also accused the current administration of being a "three-no government", no apologies, no accountability, and no resignations, in response to the food safety scandal involving Zhonglian Oil. Chen Hsin-hsin pointed to an investigation report indicating that the company's standard for acceptable soybean heat damage was relaxed from 0.5% to 5% in June of the previous year. He questioned the quality of oil products produced between June and April and how much entered the food chain. The KMT leader criticized the government for ignoring public outcry over food safety issues, instead engaging in political attacks and self-serving justifications.

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The Lai Ching-te government has completely become a 'three-no government'.