Ma Ying-jeou to Commission King Pu-tsung and Others to Hold Press Conference on Foundation Controversy

(CNA, Taipei, May 21) The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation recently established an investigation team to probe whether former aides Hsiao Hsu-tsen and Wang Kuang-tzu violated financial discipline. Today, Chairman Ma Ying-jeou stated that the team's spokesperson, Lee Te-wei, had broken a promise made to him. Ma announced he will commission the foundation's CEO Tai Hsia-ling, the foundation's appointed lawyer and accountant, and former National Security Council Secretary-General King Pu-tsung to hold a press conference as soon as possible to explain the full sequence of events and the facts. The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation issued a press release stating that a board meeting was held today, but with only Chairman Ma Ying-jeou and director Kao Hua-chu in attendance. The three members of the investigation team did not attend, and the meeting was adjourned for lack of a quorum. The foundation also mentioned that the attending accountant re-emphasized that a so-called "donation from a Taiwanese businessman" of unknown origin, which appeared in the internal investigation's evidence, had no corresponding entry record. The accountant stated that the three-person investigation team should question him to clarify the facts. Ma stated during the meeting that it has been nearly two months since the investigation team was formed on March 27, and he had repeatedly urged the team through Tai Hsia-ling to conduct in-depth investigations into witnesses and incriminating material evidence. Ma emphasized that this issue concerns his lifelong commitment to integrity, stating the foundation was established for public welfare, not as his personal foundation. He stressed that the chairman and all staff must not act against the foundation's purpose, because "integrity" is the most fundamental principle in life and work. Ma pointed out that the investigation should not be intentionally delayed with various reasons and excuses, but should be completed as soon as possible. However, he expressed deep regret that on May 20, the investigation team's spokesperson, Lee Te-wei, used a factually incorrect excuse in the media to break his promise and refuse to attend the May 21 board meeting. He also rejected Ma's request to extend the deadline for the investigation report to May 27. Ma said he will commission Tai Hsia-ling, the foundation's lawyer, accountant, and King Pu-tsung, who is assisting with the investigation, to hold a press conference on a chosen date to explain the entire incident and all relevant facts, in order to bring the truth to light and restore public trust.