A Biosketch of a Tycoon, Cashbox KTV-Edition

A Biosketch of a Tycoon, Cashbox KTV-Edition

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

April 28, 2020

 Translation of an Excerpt

The big fire in Cashbox KTV on Linsen North Road in Taipei City caused a great disaster, leaving 5 dead and 1 in critical condition, and dozens injured to various degrees. It was not only the most serious KTV fire with casualties in Taipei in the last 25 years, but what was beyond belief was that the fire department found that because of elevator renovations, Cashbox KTV surprisingly closed down all fire-fighting equipment, including smoke extraction, water sprinklers, PA systems, alarms, etc., resulting in inability of the equipment operation at the time of the fire. No alarms were sounded nor were water sprinklers or smoke extraction equipment systems working, while no emergency illumination came on. This fire in fact was not big, yet it caused heavy casualties. The cause of the fire and casualties are still awaiting investigation by the prosecutors and police, but prima facie evidence shows that the operator ignored human lives for the convenience of the renovation project, leading to the death of innocent customers and staffers on-site. It belongs to "serious human negligence"; the operator and related government officials not only have administrative and civil responsibility, but could possibly be involved in criminal accountability.

Under the banner of the chairman of the Cashbox KTV Group, there are two cable news TV stations, an agency for a number of cable TV news stations, movie stations, and variety show stations, and a media tycoon with good connections with the DPP. Such a pro-Green media tycoon, straddling the government and media with a solid background, would Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je dare to book him, and would he succeed?

Now that a tragic fire occurred at a parlor of the Cashbox KTV, for better pandemic prevention and control measures, the "order to suspend business" should by reason be applied to all KTVs. However, when Chen Shih-chung, director of the Central Epidemic Control Center, was asked "if safe distancing cannot be maintained, do you believe that KTVs should be closed down?", he passively and reservedly signified his agreement.

In addition to Ko Wen-je and Chen Shih-chung, would others, on account of the pressure from the media tycoon and the DPP government, continue to provide cover for Cashbox KTV parlors and allow the tycoon to extricate himself from accountability? The entire society in Taiwan is watching with eyes wide open!

Attachment : none