The ongoing probe into the alleged abduction of KMT lawmaker Huang Hsien-chou (黃顯洲) has cast a shadow on his squeaky-clean image.
Described by colleagues as cautious, gentle and low key, Huang, 43, jolted the nation on Jan. 2 when he revealed during a news conference that he had been kidnapped by underworld figures between Dec. 27 and Dec. 31.
TAIPEI TIMES FILE PHOTO
He rolled up his sleeves to show what he claimed were wounds inflicted by his kidnappers in a hotel room at the Grand Hyatt Taipei, where he says he was drugged, tied up, held at gun point and robbed of NT$800,000 in cash.
The departing lawmaker linked the mishap to his attempt to mediate a financial dispute on behalf of a constituent. But investigators have called Huang's testimony into question, noting that a hotel room is a peculiar locus for extending such assistance.
KMT legislator Apollo Chen (陳學聖), who belongs to the party's Reformist faction, of which Huang is also a member, painted his colleague as a serious, compassionate person who has no appetite for the limelight.
"While most lawmakers vie for a spot on finance or other popular committees," Chen said, "Huang immersed himself in the study of science and technology bills. He also shows deep concern for the underprivileged and has been actively involved in charity activities."
Chen says he was shocked by the incident's sensational twists.
On Jan. 3, Chan Hui-hua (
Even more bizarre, Chan's handicapped brother, Chan Fu-shun (詹富順), told the press the next day Huang had lied about what transpired during his "captivity." He insisted Huang had a wild sex party in the hotel room where the lawmaker smoked marijuana, used the drug ecstasy and engaged in sadomasochistic games with his sister and two other women.
Forensic tests are being conducted on all parties involved for traces of drug use, as Huang's aides try to cast doubt on any potentially positive test results.
"The lawmaker had been in treatment for spinal pain before the Dec. 1 elections and the medicine he took may affect the test's outcome," said Huang's secretary Liu Ming-hui (劉明暉). "While held hostage, he could have used illicit drugs under duress."
Huang has since shunned the media.
After earning his master's degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1985, Hwang worked in turn as a college lecturer, engineer, advisor for the former provincial government and member of the National Assembly. In 1998, he won a seat representing his home city of Taichung in the legislature. In the last three years, he took a seat on the Sci-tech and Information Committee and played a role in passing legislation on electronic signatures, the regulation of the telecommunications industry and the management of science-based parks.
Partly due to his work, the legislature passed a law that encourages the private sector to take part in public construction projects.
In addition, Huang has pushed for the establishment of a national construction department. The DPP administration is receptive to the plan as it fits in with its bid to remake government.
KMT legislator Lin Kuo-lung (
"I cannot imagine him doing anything this nonsensical," Lin said. "He was always very attentive and conscientious when reviewing bills."
Like many others, Lin shied away from passing judgment, saying he didn't know Huang that well and citing the fact that the case was still under investigation.
Huang, who failed to win a second term, is due to vacate his office at the end of this month. On the campaign trail, he portrayed himself as a family man who considered nothing more important than putting food on the table and vowed, if re-elected, to help his constituents meet their needs.
Whatever the truth, it's no secret that many politicians in Taiwan are fond of having extravagant nightlives. Parties who bitterly bicker over policy issues in the daytime are frequently reconciled at night in company of gorgeous hostesses while eating delicious food.
Earlier, DPP lawmaker Hsu Jung-shu (
"You bet, there are many womanizers in the DPP," Hsu said. "And some have broken families as a result of their promiscuity."
People First Party legislator Chou Hsi-wei (
"Rumors that some colleagues lead a loose life are nothing new," he said, declining to name any except adding that "birds of a feather flock together."
Commenting along similar lines, KMT lawmaker Chen Ching-pao (
"As a microcosm of society, the legislature has its share of hypocrites," Chen said. "I'm glad I'll be leaving this place soon."
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake and several aftershocks battered southern Taiwan early this morning, causing houses and roads to collapse and leaving dozens injured and 50 people isolated in their village. A total of 26 people were reported injured and sent to hospitals due to the earthquake as of late this morning, according to the latest Ministry of Health and Welfare figures. In Sising Village (西興) of Chiayi County's Dapu Township (大埔), the location of the quake's epicenter, severe damage was seen and roads entering the village were blocked, isolating about 50 villagers. Another eight people who were originally trapped inside buildings in Tainan
CLASH OF WORDS: While China’s foreign minister insisted the US play a constructive role with China, Rubio stressed Washington’s commitment to its allies in the region The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday affirmed and welcomed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio statements expressing the US’ “serious concern over China’s coercive actions against Taiwan” and aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, in a telephone call with his Chinese counterpart. The ministry in a news release yesterday also said that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had stated many fallacies about Taiwan in the call. “We solemnly emphasize again that our country and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and it has been an objective fact for a long time, as well as
‘ARMED GROUP’: Two defendants used Chinese funds to form the ‘Republic of China Taiwan Military Government,’ posing a threat to national security, prosecutors said A retired lieutenant general has been charged after using funds from China to recruit military personnel for an “armed” group that would assist invading Chinese forces, prosecutors said yesterday. The retired officer, Kao An-kuo (高安國), was among six people indicted for contravening the National Security Act (國家安全法), the High Prosecutors’ Office said in a statement. The group visited China multiple times, separately and together, from 2018 to last year, where they met Chinese military intelligence personnel for instructions and funding “to initiate and develop organizations for China,” prosecutors said. Their actions posed a “serious threat” to “national security and social stability,” the statement
‘CHARM OFFENSIVE’: Beijing has been sending senior Chinese officials to Okinawa as part of efforts to influence public opinion against the US, the ‘Telegraph’ reported Beijing is believed to be sowing divisions in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture to better facilitate an invasion of Taiwan, British newspaper the Telegraph reported on Saturday. Less than 750km from Taiwan, Okinawa hosts nearly 30,000 US troops who would likely “play a pivotal role should Beijing order the invasion of Taiwan,” it wrote. To prevent US intervention in an invasion, China is carrying out a “silent invasion” of Okinawa by stoking the flames of discontent among locals toward the US presence in the prefecture, it said. Beijing is also allegedly funding separatists in the region, including Chosuke Yara, the head of the Ryukyu Independence
RSS