Update Sept. 27, 2024, 1:15 p.m.  

Prosecutors said on Friday (Sept. 27) that Kaohsiung City Councilor Huang Shao-ting (黃紹庭) boarded a flight to the Chinese city of Xiamen just before a search of his residence was carried out. An investigation is ongoing to determine if the flight was prearranged or if Huang bought the ticket at the airport, per CNA.                                                                                                        
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Neighbors of missing Kaohsiung City Councilor Huang Shao-ting (黃紹庭) said they saw their local representative hurriedly leave his residence with a suitcase in hand on Thursday morning (Sept. 26) before prosecutors launched searches as part of a corruption investigation.

Huang is being investigated for fraudulently claiming fees for assistants, and his whereabouts were still unknown as of press time, per CNA. Huang’s residence, offices, and eight other locations were searched, while 17 people, including the councilor’s mother, were brought in for questioning.

Neighbors of Huang told CNA they saw the councilor leave his home at 6 a.m. with luggage and rush into a taxi. They said they were puzzled at this sight, but things became clear when investigators arrived soon after.

Huang reportedly turned off his cell phone after prosecutors and reporters made attempts to contact him. Prosecutors issued a public message to Huang asking him to cooperate with the investigation.

Huang’s Kuomintang issued a statement on Thursday afternoon asking the public to refrain from excessive speculation. Meanwhile, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) expressed hope that prosecutors would be able to clarify the facts of the case.