TPP Questions Subsidy to Kuang-Shi Intelligence; MOEA Says Procedures Were Proper

CNA, Taipei, May 26. The TPP pointed out today that during the time Su Chiao-chun, sister of DPP legislator Su Chiao-hui, served as COO of Kuang-Shi Intelligence, the company received a subsidy of NT$1.2 million from the MOEA's Department of Commerce, questioning whether conflict-of-interest avoidance was implemented. The MOEA responded that the Service Industry Innovation Research (SIIR) program is handled according to standard procedures, and both the application and execution results are reviewed by external committee members, with expenditures audited by accountants, ensuring credibility. The TPP held a press conference stating that Su Chiao-chun served as a director and COO of Kuang-Shi Intelligence since 2021. In November 2022, while her father Su Tseng-chang was Premier, the company received NT$19.999 million in investment from the National Development Fund; in 2023, it obtained funding led by the National Development Fund and Taiwan Business Bank; and in 2024, it received a NT$1.2 million subsidy from the Department of Commerce, raising questions about conflict of interest. The MOEA responded that SIIR subsidy cases follow standard procedures, including qualification checks, written and presentation reviews by external committee members, and progress tracking. The MOEA noted that mid-term and final reviews are conducted with external members, all of whom sign conflict-of-interest avoidance agreements, and expenditures must be audited by accountants. The MOEA stated that the SIIR program has been in operation for a long time, with no special treatment, approving 80-100 cases annually, and having 2,551 recipients out of 10,391 proposals since 2006. The MOEA deemed the TPP's linking of a single case inappropriate, emphasizing that the 2024 subsidy for Kuang-Shi Intelligence was handled according to regulations, concluded on November 30, 2024, and the expenditure audit was completed.