Liu Sung-pan

Liu Sung-pan (traditional Chinese: 劉松藩; simplified Chinese: 刘松藩; pinyin: Liú Sōngfán; Wade–Giles: Liú Sūng-fán; born December 3, 1931) was the President of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China between 1992 to 1999. He was the first president to preside over a Legislative Yuan entirely elected by residents of the Taiwan Area (after the retirement of the elderly mainland representatives in December 1991).

Biography

In 1998, during his tenure as legislative speaker, Liu used his status as the former chairman of Taichung Business Bank to broker a NT$1.5 billion loan to the Kuangsan Group, and in return he received a bribe of NT$150 million. However, due to the political nature of Taiwan's government, the reality of the issue is very uncertain, and it is doubtful whether he did indeed commit a crime. Rather, he was accused of the crime due to a political coup and a subsequent political fallout within the Kuomintang party that split into three parties (Kuomintang, People First Party, and New Party). He was eventually sentenced to four years in prison for breach of trust and given a NT$30 million fine. However, the constitutionality of his conviction is currently being reviewed.^[1]

He left Kuomintang in 1999 and resigned from his post as legislator of yuan, after having served two full elected terms as President of the Yuan. He then joined the People First Party in 2000. After he was suspected with black gold trade, he gave up his seat in the Legislative Yuan and left the People First Party in 2004. He then disappeared. Rumors said he was once seen in Hong Kong. He was subsequently listed as a fugitive.^[2]

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