Probe opened into allegations TPP lawmaker used position for private gain

Taipei, Feb. 7 (CNA) The Taipei District Prosecutors Office is investigating claims Taiwan People's Party (TPP) lawmaker Wu Chun-cheng (吳春城) abused his office to help companies affiliated with him and his family gain government contracts.

The disclosure comes after members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus on Thursday held a news conference to accuse Wu of "failing to avoid conflicts of interest in government tenders," profiting businesses affiliated with his wife, siblings, children and in-laws.

According to DPP lawmakers, companies affiliated with Wu or his family have won NT$1.1 billion (US$33.53 million) in government contracts.

They said the Wu-initiated "Act for Promotion of Strong Generation Policies and Industrial Development" enacted by the Legislature on Jan. 24, 2025 was part of his efforts to consolidate his business empire.

Kuo Yu-ching (郭昱晴), the deputy secretary-general of the DPP caucus, claimed that while reviewing government budgets, Wu insisted on linking everything to the Strong Generation initiative and froze funding for projects that did not align with it.

Responding to the allegations Friday, Wu said that he was confident in facing any inspections, as long as they are just and not intervened by political powers.

The TPP lawmaker said he had not been involved in bidding for any government contracts since becoming a legislator in February 2024.

Wu added that the only tender the Strong Generation Association -- a group he chaired until Jan. 24, 2025 -- participated in was three years ago in Chiayi City.