TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) Foundation on Sunday announced the results of an internal investigation into two former employees, finding no evidence of financial wrongdoing.
The foundation’s investigative team said it could not determine that former Chief Executive Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) and foundation employee Wang Kuang-tzu (王光慈) violated financial regulations. The findings differed significantly from allegations by former President Ma, who previously claimed substantial evidence of financial crimes had been uncovered, per CNA.
Ma said he would ask the foundation’s new chair, Tai Hsia-ling (戴遐齡), to hold a news conference as soon as possible to express dissatisfaction with the investigation’s outcome. He added that a criminal charge would be filed against Hsiao and Wang despite the probe’s conclusions.
According to the internal investigation, Hsiao was not responsible for handling the foundation’s finances, while Wang, who oversaw financial matters, provided complete accounting records and supporting documents.
Ma issued a statement maintaining allegations of embezzlement and breach of trust by Hsiao and Wang. He expressed regret that, after two months of investigation, the team’s conclusions differed significantly from the evidence presented by the foundation, per CNA.
He questioned whether investigators had intentionally delayed or concealed information because of personal relationships. Ma said he wanted to uphold the principles of fairness, neither letting the guilty go unpunished nor punishing the innocent.
Former National Security Council Secretary-General King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) also issued a statement saying he understood Ma’s determination to uphold his commitment to integrity and felt a responsibility to assist.
The controversy surrounding the foundation coincides with rumors that the former president is suffering from dementia. In a statement issued Thursday, Ma’s wife, Chow Mei-ching (周美青), said the family had agreed to appoint Ma’s sister, Ma Yi-nan (馬以南), as the family spokesperson and primary executor, per CNA.
According to media reports, Ma Yi-nan has filed a request with the Taipei District Court seeking appointment as Ma’s court-appointed trustee, requiring her consent on any major financial or legal decisions.
