TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — KMT Legislator Niu Hsu-ting (牛煦庭) on Monday responded to reports alleging his involvement in the long-running Sogo ownership dispute, acknowledging the controversial nature of the case.
Far Eastern Group founder Douglas Hsu (徐旭東) invested in Pacific Liu Tong Investment Co. in 2002, wresting control of Sogo from businessperson Lee Heng-lung (李恆隆), per Mirror Media. After losing a lengthy court battle, Lee allegedly continued efforts behind the scenes and bribed lawmakers from the DPP, KMT, and New Power Party to support amendments to the Company Act. The allegations ultimately led to prosecutions in the case.
According to Mirror Media, the latest meeting regarding the Pacific Liu Tong Investment Co. investment case was held in March. Discussions reportedly centered on objections raised by Lee.
Ministry of Economic Affairs officials reportedly told Niu’s aides that the ministry had already acted in accordance with previous court rulings and saw no room for alternative interpretations. They also reportedly warned Niu’s office that the arguments being presented resembled those advanced by lawmakers later prosecuted for accepting bribes from Lee, and advised the legislator to review the case’s background.
Responding to the report, Niu said his actions were prompted by a request from a Singaporean businessperson interested in investing in the company but concerned about the controversy surrounding the case, per Liberty Times. Niu said he sought to better understand disputed legal interpretations and emphasized that no exchange of benefits was involved.
Niu said he had completed his review of the case after five meetings and that transcripts of those meetings would be submitted to Economic Affairs Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫).
DPP Legislative Caucus Secretary-General Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) called on Niu to provide a detailed public explanation, per UDN. Chuang said voters should decide for themselves whether Niu’s willingness to become involved in such a controversial case was appropriate.
