Kaohsiung Solar Extortion and Bribery Scandal Widens: Following Detention of DPP Ex-Lawmaker Chen Ming-tse, Council Member Chen Shan-hui Raided and Detained

On October 29, 2026 (115th Year of the Republic of China), the Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office escalated its criminal investigation into a major extortion and bribery racket targeting solar energy and civil earthwork projects in Kaohsiung. Following the detention in July of veteran former DPP Kaohsiung City Councilor Chen Ming-tse—who allegedly instigated local protests to extort nearly NT$10 million in kickbacks from aquaculture solar developers—investigators discovered that incumbent City Councilor Chen Shan-hui was also complicit in the corrupt enterprise. Prosecutors directed investigators to raid Chen Shan-hui's residence, campaign offices, and City Council chambers, bringing him in for questioning. Prosecutors sought pre-trial detention on felony bribery charges under the Anti-Corruption Act, though the court subsequently granted bail at NT$2.5 million. The explosive raid, occurring just weeks ahead of the 2026 local elections, laid bare the rampant extortion, political cronyism, and systemic corruption plaguing southern Taiwan's green energy sector.