TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Political commentator Lee Cheng-hao (李正皓) said Monday that former TPP chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) could face scrutiny over the Zhongxiao Bridge elevated approach road demolition project, suggesting it may become a new corruption controversy.
Lee said he received tips alleging that the Taipei City Government may have improperly benefited Hwang Chang Construction by allowing a change in demolition methods, per Liberty Times. He added that while reviewing the claims, his source was summoned by the Agency Against Corruption as a witness.
Lee also cited past remarks from KMT Taipei City Councilor Li Ching-yuan (李慶元), who said in 2018 that Hwang Chang Construction used a demolition method different from the one originally proposed in its bid. Former KMT councilor Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) has also suggested the company had close ties to Ko.
Lee’s wife, Taipei City Council candidate Ma You-wen (馬郁雯), released a petition letter Tuesday that she said came from Lee’s source, per Liberty Times. It alleged the city government switched from a more expensive demolition method to a cheaper but riskier one, reducing expenses from NT$310 million (US$9.8 million) to NT$30 million.
TPP Taipei City Council candidate Wu I-hsuan (吳怡萱) rejected the allegations, saying the contract clauses allowed bidders to propose improved methods, per Newtalk. She said the revised approach did not incur additional costs for the city, shortened construction time, and did not damage nearby historic structures.
Wu questioned the framing of the allegations and criticized Lee for labeling the case a scandal before legal proceedings were complete. She urged investigators to clarify the basis for opening the inquiry.
In response, Lee said anti-corruption authorities are not required to disclose reasons for opening investigations. He also provided what he said was evidence that his source had been subpoenaed.
A 2021 Control Yuan report found no evidence that the demolition damaged nearby historic buildings or that the city government improperly enriched Hwang Chang Construction. However, it said the Ko administration could have improved communication with the public during policy implementation.
During Lee’s Monday political commentary program, KMT Taipei City Councilor Yu Shu-hui (游淑慧) alleged that the project delayed rescue efforts following the Weiguan Jinlong building collapse in Tainan by diverting heavy equipment to Taipei, per ETtoday. The TPP criticized the claim.
TPP Taipei City Councilor Chang Chih-hao (張志豪), a long-time volunteer firefighter, said heavy equipment is not used at disaster sites within the first 72 hours of search and rescue operations due to safety concerns, per Tai Sounds. He also said then-Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te (賴清德) indicated the Taipei project did not affect rescue operations and that sufficient equipment had already been prepared locally.
TPP legislative caucus leader Chen Chih-han (陳智菡) urged the KMT to consider whether Yu’s remarks could damage opposition unity, per UDN.
