TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation said Monday it has launched an investigation into what it described as serious fiscal irregularities.
Foundation CEO Tai Hsia-ling (戴遐齡) said media reports about former employees Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) and Wang Kuang-tzu (王光慈) contain speculation, per UP Media. She said the foundation has retained lawyers to examine the alleged irregularities and urged the public not to spread false information that could damage the foundation’s reputation or that of former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).
Hsiao and Wang, both of whom held leadership roles, abruptly left the foundation on March 16. Earlier reports speculated that Hsiao’s departure may have been linked to his past comments on AIT Director Raymond Greene.
Responding to Tai’s remarks, Hsiao said all his work at the foundation was reported to and approved by Ma, per UDN. He called on the board to investigate what he described as lawful and fiscally disciplined conduct.
KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) commented on the case, suggesting Hsiao is being targeted by someone close to Ma and that the individual has caused what she described as lasting harm to the party, per Storm Media. She said she would defend Hsiao and the KMT.
A source familiar with the matter told Mirror Media that Ma had obtained evidence suggesting irregularities at the foundation, including indications that his office may have been used for activities in China that he found inappropriate. Ma reportedly tasked former National Security Council Secretary-General King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) and then-board member Kao Hua-chu (高華柱) with handling the issue, though Kao later left the foundation over disagreements with King’s approach.
The source said Hsiao’s compensation raised concerns about possible self-enrichment. However, foundation insiders said Ma approved his salary and that the board cleared all personnel decisions.
King confirmed Ma asked him to address the situation and warned he would pursue legal action against false reporting.
Hsiao also responded to Mirror Media, saying he would confront accusations directly and defend cross-strait engagement, per UDN. He added that his long-standing loyalty to Ma had been used by others to attack such exchanges.
A former senior KMT official said Hsiao and Wang had served Ma for decades but that Ma showed little regret in their departures, per Mirror Media. A friend of Hsiao said his restrained response was intended to protect Ma.
A source close to King, however, said the reactions from Hsiao and Wang suggested possible wrongdoing, adding that King’s return to public affairs after years away was aimed at protecting Ma.
