TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo (郭智輝) proclaimed his innocence Wednesday (Aug. 27) as authorities detained a minstry's top official. The arrest of Cheng I-lin (鄭亦麟), former deputy executive director of the Ministry of Economic Affairs' (MOEA, 經濟部) Green Energy Technology Promotion Center (綠能科技推動中心), escalated Taiwan's widening green energy corruption scandal. Prosecutors intensified scrutiny around government renewable energy programs.
Kuo released his statement through MOEA, Taiwan's economic ministry, expressing support for President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰). He urged investigative bodies to expand and accelerate their probes into all green energy scandals. Kuo declared that fighting corruption represents a national consensus and demanded that those exploiting green energy for personal gain face the law's harshest penalties.
Kuo emphasized that his innocence remains non-negotiable and accused certain political figures of using media platforms to link him to past green energy scandals. He described these allegations as a serious insult to his lifelong reputation. Ling Tao (凌濤), Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, Councilor in Taoyuan, alleged that Kuo mentioned plans to develop green energy in the Philippines and suggested investigators should summon Kuo for further clarification.
Kuo called for political figures to engage in rational oversight based on facts rather than malicious attacks rooted in lies. He reiterated his unwavering determination to defend his integrity against what he characterized as unfounded accusations. The former minister's statement came amid mounting pressure from opposition lawmakers demanding greater transparency in Taiwan's green energy initiatives. ◼
>> Legal proceedings discussed in this article remain ongoing. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
