YUNLIN (TVBS News) — Yunlin County Commissioner Chang Li-shan refuted on Wednesday (Dec. 27) allegations of political corruption linked to her family by Lai Ching-te, the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate.
Chang, the leader of an agriculture-heavy county, defended its hardworking and kind-hearted farmworkers, stating that they should not be unfairly labeled.
During a policy presentation the previous day, Lai criticized the Kuomintang (KMT) for its ties with the Chang family of Yunlin. He claimed that the KMT still clings to illicit "dark money," casting doubt on the party's integrity.
Lai accused KMT of cozying up with problematic families such as the "Chang"s in Yunlin, the "Lo"s in Xindian District, Taipei, the "Yen"s in Taichung, and the "Fu"s in Hualien. Lai suggested that these well-connected families wield substantial influence within the KMT, casting a long shadow on the party's reputation.
Controversies emerged in November when the DPP exposed allegations against former Hualien County commissioner and current legislator Fu Kun-chi and his wife Hsu Chen-wei, who is the current Hualien County commissioner. It was alleged that all major public works projects issued by Hualien County's government were granted to contractors who worked on the power couple's mansion.
Additional allegations also surrounded KMT legislator Lo Ming-tsai, with claims that his family illegally excavated a large tract of government-owned land in Xindian District, approximately equal to 18 baseball fields. Meanwhile, Taichung's Yen family, associated with Yen Ching-piao, faced accusations regarding its extensive political clout.
