DPP's Six-Term Councilor Indicted in Solar Power Scandal; Ko Chih-en Criticizes 'Green Friends' Involvement in Green Energy Corruption

Chen Ming-ze, a six-term Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) councilor in Kaohsiung, is suspected of involvement in a solar power plant waste transportation case and has been formally detained. Ko Chih-en, the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate for Kaohsiung mayor, criticized the DPP for enabling green energy interest groups to grow unchecked, turning 'green energy into green gold.' Over the past decade of DPP governance, from central to local levels, numerous green energy corruption cases and environmental destruction incidents have involved DPP-affiliated individuals or so-called 'green friends,' which Ko says is the primary source of public anger toward the party.

Ko pointed out that since the DPP began promoting green energy policies, illegal environmental damage and corruption scandals have repeatedly emerged. These include the Meinong Grand Canyon case, the Heshan Solar Project, illegal dumping of waste on hillside land in Daxing's Tongling section, and the illegal disposal of 200 metric tons of waste in the Tienliao Moon World. Additionally, Chen Chi-yu, former vice mayor of Kaohsiung and ex-chairman of Taiwan Salt Green Energy, is under judicial investigation for allegedly colluding with land developers to embezzle NT$400 million from Taiwan Salt Green Energy.

Ko emphasized that these scandals expose the DPP's failure to uphold its long-standing slogans of 'integrity, diligence, and love for homeland.' She questioned how the DPP can claim integrity and diligence when its green energy policies have led to widespread corruption, land development disputes, and environmental damage. Green energy, intended as a key pillar of national energy transition, has instead become a tool for a few to profit, severely undermining public trust.

Ko stressed that the public does not oppose green energy itself, but rather the disguised profit-seeking under its name. While people support energy transition, they reject its transformation into a mechanism for specific individuals or factions to enrich themselves. By allowing green energy interest groups to flourish, the DPP has sacrificed forests, farmland, and the quality of life for Kaohsiung residents. The harm caused by green energy policies in Kaohsiung, she argued, far exceeds any benefits.

In response, Lai Jui-long, the DPP's mayoral candidate in Kaohsiung, stated that the case is now under judicial investigation and emphasized respecting the legal process without prejudice. The DPP Kaohsiung City Party branch also responded that it will await the judicial outcome.

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