BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's major
opposition party leader Ma Ying-jeou declared to resign from the post of
Kuomintang's chairman at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday after local prosecutors indicted him
on charges of corruption.
Taiwan prosecutors said Ma diverted
11 million New Taiwan dollars (333,000 U.S. dollars) from Taipei's special
allowance funds to his private account when he was the mayor of Taipei.
The prosecutors did not say what jail term they would
seek but say they would suggest the court give Ma a light penalty if he is found
guilty.
Taiwan prosecutors also indicted Yu Wen, former
secretary of the Taipei mayor's office, on charges of forgery.
Indictments against five other people involved in the
forgery case have been temporarily postponed, according to Taiwan prosecutors.
In August 2006, some Democratic Progressive Party
members had accused Ma of misusing special allowance funds while he was the
mayor of Taipei, which lead to the investigation.
Special allowance funds are allocated by the Taiwan
authorities to the executive officers at various levels in Taiwan. Official
receipts are only required for half of the special allowance funds,while the
spending of the other half only requires the signature of the official.
Ma said earlier he would resign his post as KMT
chairman if he was indicted.
Related: Taiwan prosecutors indict KMT Chairman
Ma Ying-jeou
BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan prosecutors indicted
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou, former Taipei mayor, on charge of
corruption Tuesday.
At a press conference held in Taipei Tuesday afternoon,
Taiwan prosecutors announced to end investigation of a special discretionary
fund case involving Ma and indict him on charge of corruption.
