The Legislative Yuan Passed the Political Donation Law; donation amount received by political figures is regulated; however, there still exist disputes regarding the donation amount.

The Legislative Yuan passed the Political Donation Law on March 18 after three readings, which stipulates that political figures are usually disallowed to receive any political donation unless the political figures are entering into an election campaign, Under the above circumstance, the maximum donation amount received by such political figures is not limited. Nevertheless, the maximum donation amount received by the same political party or political groups is regulated: an individual shall not donate the amount of more than NT$300,000, a civil group shall not donate the amount of more than 2 million NT dollars, and an enterprise shall not donate the amount of more than 3 million NT dollars. As to the maximum donation amount received by different political parties or different political groups, an individual shall not donate the amount of more than NT$600,000, a civil group shall not donate the amount of more than 4 million NT dollars and an enterprise shall not donate the amount of more than 6 million NT dollars. With regard to the maximum donation amount received by different candidates, an individual shall not donate the amount of more than NT$200,000, a civil group shall not donate the amount of more than 1 million NT dollars, and an enterprise shall not donate the amount of more than 2 million dollars.

 

The political parties, civil groups and the candidates who are running for election campaign shall not receive the political donation amount from the state-run enterprise, the citizen-run enterprise in which the government holds 20% of the capital, the enterprise operated or invested by the political parties, the manufacturers or suppliers who are carrying out the purchase agreement of a huge amount concluded by the enterprises which are operated or invested by the political parties during the term of the said agreement and also the manufacturers or suppliers who conclude a purchase agreement of huge amount or an investment agreement of important construction during the term of the said agreements.

 

Subject to the new law, the political parties, political groups and candidates can open a special account, and only one account in any financial institutes or post office. After applying with the relevant competent authorities for permission, the political parties, political groups or candidates can start to receive the political donation amount. Besides, such amount should be deposited in the said amounts within fifteen days. If the political parties, political groups or candidates receive the political donation without permission or they receive the political donation made by the donators from foreign countries, Mainland China and Hong Kong, they will be sentenced to three-year or five-year imprisonment. If they violate other regulations, they will be punished in accordance with administrative punishment. (2004.03)

CYJ/WYL