Publication Date : 05-04-2013
Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin said yesterday that if the bidding process is found to be flawed, then the city government does not rule out the possibility of nullifying the current Twin Towers bid.
Hau said the decision depends on the findings of the ongoing investigation by Taipei prosecutors into the controversial Twin Towers development project.
The Twin Towers project, part of the Taipei City Government's plan for 10 significant development projects, has failed to pass the bidding stage four times. The project is forecast to amount to around NT$70 billion (US$2.33 billion).
Taipei Gateway International Development Corp. (TGID) won the bid in October 2012, but was disqualified 110 days later after failing to fulfill stipulated terms in February of 2013.
The Taipei District Prosecutors Office is currently investigating TGID's bidding process and last week held Kuomintang City Councilor Lai Su-ju and real estate developer Cheng Hung-tao incommunicado over allegations of bribery.
Taipei City Department of Finance Commissioner Chiu Ta-chan was questioned by Taipei prosecutors recently over allegations of leaking the names of the Twin Towers review committee members to the bidder.
Mayor Hau said earlier this week that if the bidding review process is found to be flawed, then the city government will not contact the second-placed bidder, BES Engineering Corp. (BES).
When a reporter asked Hau if he would consider nullifying the Twin Towers bid, Hau said he does not rule out this possibility as part of solving the controversy of the bidding process.
Timing of personnel reshuffle questioned
Lin Hsun-chieh, an official at the Department of Rapid Transit Systems' (DORTS) Joint Development Division, was transferred to the DORTS' North District Project Office this week.
Some local media and opposition city councilors have speculated that the timing of Lin's reshuffle is related to the Twin Towers project. Taipei prosecutors said on Monday that they will focus on Taipei City Government officials, city councilors and Twin Towers review committee members.
In response to the speculation, Hau said Lin's transition was a normal reshuffle in the DORTS.
Eight days, four court sessions
The Taipei District Court yesterday ruled that real estate developer Cheng is to be held incommunicado. This is the fourth court session in eight days over Cheng's case since Taipei prosecutors filed an application on March 28 for Cheng be held incommunicado.
The court granted Cheng bail twice and held him incommunicado another two times.
Cheng's lawyer, Yang Yen-shou, said the frequency of the court sessions has severely affected the defendant's human rights.
According to the latest verdict, at least one defendant and one witness in the case have not yet returned to Taiwan. Cheng was therefore held incommunicado to prevent destruction of related evidence or collusion.
*US$1=NT$29.97
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