CPC Third LNG Terminal Case: Kung Ming-hsin Says Administrative Investigation Results Sent to Prosecutor's Office in January

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 24) - Following reports of alleged budget padding in the CPC's third LNG terminal project, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office yesterday launched its fourth investigation, conducting searches at multiple locations including H.C. Construction. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin stated today that the Ministry of Economic Affairs initiated an administrative investigation based on a resolution from the Legislative Yuan, and the investigation results were sent to the prosecutor's office in January of this year. Regarding the investigation's content, Kung added that cases under investigation cannot be disclosed.

CPC stated that it will continue to cooperate with judicial authorities regarding suspicions of budget padding in the third LNG terminal project and hopes to clarify the case as soon as possible.

Media reports, citing key leaked recordings, alleged that the original budget for the breakwater construction of the outer extension plan for CPC's Guanyin LNG receiving terminal (third terminal) was only about NT$9.4 billion, but it increased at least four times in a short period, with the bid price soaring to NT$25.3 billion. After receiving an anonymous whistleblower letter last year, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office launched multiple interviews and search operations.

Kung Ming-hsin, speaking to reporters before a meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Economic Committee to review amendments to the Statute for Industrial Innovation, said that the Ministry of Economic Affairs launched an administrative investigation as per the Legislative Yuan's resolution and sent the results to the prosecutor's office in January.

When asked about the investigation's content, Kung stated that he could not provide details as it is an ongoing investigation and cannot be disclosed. (Editor: Lin Chia-hsien) 1150624

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