Ma Ying-jeou, former leader of Taiwan's main opposition party
Kuomintang (KMT), pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption on
the opening day of his trial in Taipei yesterday.
"I will face the charge with a plain and calm attitude. I have
confidence in my innocence and put my faith in the justice of the
court," Ma said just before entering the court in the morning.
As he entered, a crowd of his supporters gathered outside the
court and were involved in skirmishes with supporters of the ruling
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Former Kuomintang leader Ma Ying-jeou makes a statement to the
press as he arrives at the district court house to stand trial on
corruption charges in Taipei yesterday. AP
Ma said that as Taipei's mayor, he used the government's special
allowance funds in line with the conventions the Taiwan authorities
have followed since 1988 and he had never personally applied for
reimbursement from the special funds, according to Taiwan
media.
Earlier media reports have said that if Ma is found guilty,
similar cases could result since his actions were similar to that
of some 65,000 other government chiefs.
Special allowance funds are allocated by the Taiwan authorities
to the executive officers at various levels in Taiwan. Official
receipts are only required for half of the special allowance funds,
while the spending of the other half only requires the signature of
the official.
There's been no clear regulation concerning the expenditure of
the special allowances. Last month, Tainan mayor Tsu Tain-tsair, a
member of the ruling DPP, was acquitted after he was found to be
involved in a similar case.
Taiwan prosecutors indicted Ma on charges of corruption on
February 13, accusing him of diverting NT$11 million ($333,000)
from Taipei mayor's special allowance funds to his private account
during his tenure.
Ma resigned as KMT chairman after the indictment but immediately
declared for the first time that he would run for the 2008 Taiwan
leader election.
Taiwan prosecutors have also indicted Yu Wen, former secretary
of the Taipei mayor's office, on charges of forgery and
corruption.
(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2007)