It is a surprising bribe that Terry Gou is accused of offering. Taiwanese authorities, who have opened a corruption investigation, suspect that the billionaire gave toilet paper to several people in exchange for signatures for his inauguration in Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election.
Thirteen suspects were questioned Tuesday and released on bail, according to the Taipei prosecutor’s office, which did not provide further details. However, on Wednesday they mentioned two investigations into alleged corruption linked to the firms for the takeover of the founder of Foxconn, while the media counted a dozen files.
The equivalent of 900 Taiwan dollars.
Investigators in Yulin County (west) claimed to have questioned 13 people. And according to them, four suspects offered a box of toilet paper worth 900 Taiwan dollars (28 US dollars) to members of a farmers’ association in exchange for their signature.
Terry Gou, who has no longer exercised any executive power at Foxconn since 2019, but retains a seat on the board of directors, resigned at the beginning of September to prepare his candidacy as an independent, announced at the end of August.
The 73-year-old billionaire had to gather 290,000 signatures by Thursday to qualify. He personally traveled to Taipei on Wednesday to present the documents, without giving the amount actually collected.
Bribery to sign the presidential inauguration is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to NT$10 million (US$308,000).
Low chances of success
According to analysts, his chances of success are low compared to other opposition candidates who will face current Vice President Lai Ching-te, a member of outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen’s Democratic Progressive Party, who is currently leading in the polls.
Presidential elections in Taiwan will take place in January 2024. Current President Tsai Ing-wen is completing her second and final term.
Foxconn, also known by its official name Hon Hai Precision Industry, is the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer and assembles devices for many companies, including Apple. The Taiwanese technology giant is currently the subject of investigations in China, denouncing “political interference” orchestrated, according to it, by Beijing.
Source: BFM TV
