Tzu Chi Foundation Suffers 10 Billion NT Fraud in Vaccine Procurement: Religious Organization's Financial Management Issues Exposed

In 2021, the Tzu Chi Foundation assisted in the procurement of 5 million doses of BNT vaccines for Taiwan, but it was later revealed that they had been defrauded of 10 billion NT dollars in "huge consultant fees." On June 6, the prosecutors indicted the former president of the Changhua Bar Association, Chen Yuxuan, and others, and seized a large amount of assets. The Tzu Chi Foundation announced that it would cooperate with the judicial investigation. Former political commissioner Zhang Jingsen, while supporting the foundation's activities, pointed out the inadequacy of its internal management system in this fraud case. He criticized that the foundation's response as a victim was insufficient and that it had lost social trust. Additionally, the foundation was suspected of purchasing high-priced land in the Neihu land purchase case without properly assessing legal risks. Zhang Jingsen argued that religious organizations need a financial oversight system to ensure financial transparency.