Tzu Chi Vaccine Procurement Fraud Case Concluded! Chen Shih-chung Declares 'Truth Revealed,' Demands Apology, but Chen Hui-wen Counters: 'Can the Vaccine Contracts Be Released Now?'

In 2021, the Tzu Chi Foundation's procurement of BNT vaccines led to a fraud case, with Taichung prosecutors indicting Chen Yu-shuan and 16 others, reigniting political debates over the government's past vaccine procurement decisions. Executive Yuan official Chen Shih-chung stated on the 7th that 'the truth is now clear' and that those who previously made false accusations should apologize to society. However, he emphasized that Tzu Chi was the victim and that the real culprits—the fraudsters—should be condemned.

In response, veteran media commentator Chen Hui-wen, on TVBS's program 'Straight Talk News,' stated that while the fraud case must be pursued, the government's 2021 vaccine policy decisions cannot be forgotten. He questioned, 'The pandemic is over now—can the vaccine contracts finally be made public?'

Chen Shih-chung, in a media interview, reiterated that 'the truth has now come to light' and that those who made false claims against the ruling team should apologize to society. He also stressed that Tzu Chi was a victim and that the fraudsters were the ones truly deserving of condemnation.

Chen Hui-wen argued that this fraud case should not erase the controversies surrounding the 2021 vaccine policy. He recalled that during the most severe phase of the pandemic, the public faced vaccine shortages, and there were widespread questions about vaccine sources, procurement procedures, and government decision-making—including the government's refusal of China's offer to donate BNT vaccines. He bluntly asked, 'When lives were at stake, when we needed vaccines to save lives, did President Tsai Ing-wen and the DPP prioritize the people's lives above all else?'

On the issue of Tzu Chi losing NT$1 billion, Chen Hui-wen first criticized the foundation's internal oversight. According to prosecutors, Chen Yu-shuan and a co-conspirator surnamed Li falsely claimed to have access to BNT vaccine supplies during the pandemic. Tzu Chi then entrusted Yu-Da Company to procure 5 million doses of BNT vaccines and paid a commission of USD 30 million (approximately NT$1.06 billion). The case has now been indicted, and authorities have seized over NT$1 billion in assets, including cash, gold, bank accounts, and real estate.

Regarding the case, Chen Hui-wen stated, 'Such a huge matter, such a large sum of money, such a massive blunder'—Tzu Chi's internal management must be reviewed. He noted that Master Cheng Yen authorized executives to handle vaccine procurement, but this ultimately led to a massive fraud case. 'I believe Tzu Chi Foundation's executives have let down Master Cheng Yen,' he said.

Chen Hui-wen also raised other controversies surrounding vaccine procurement at the time. He mentioned that the Legislative Yuan established a document review panel on vaccine procurement, with then-legislator Chiang Wan-an as convener, but access to related documents was restricted and some parts were redacted. He therefore believes that now that the pandemic has ended, the government should further disclose past vaccine procurement information, allowing the public to re-examine the entire decision-making process.

Chen Hui-wen added, 'Without a change in ruling party, the truth will never come out.' He then directly called on the DPP government: 'The pandemic is over now—can the vaccine contracts be released?'

More exclusive reports from Feng Media: · Who blocked Tzu Chi from buying vaccines? After the fraud case, Wang Pi-sheng praises his former superior's wisdom; doctors reveal Chen Shih-chung's past statements: 'Same old tricks' · Tzu Chi loses NT$1 billion in BNT vaccine procurement fraud; Wang Pi-sheng reveals Chen Shih-chung had warned earlier: 'Wisdom becomes evident over time' · Tzu Chi's NT$1 billion BNT fraud revives past vaccine controversies; Hou Han-ting retorts: 'Fraud case can't whitewash government's failure to procure vaccines'