In accordance with the policy guidance of the Executive Yuan on stabilizing prices and to actively implement the Ministry of Justice's mandate to safeguard the quality of life for citizens, the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office (hereinafter "the Office") followed the instructions of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office to convene a "Livelihood Crime Investigation Liaison Platform Meeting" today (the 1st) at 10:00 AM. The meeting aimed to strictly monitor the market order of daily necessities and to crack down on the hoarding of goods and price gouging.

Chief Prosecutor Tsai Tzung-Shi personally presided over the meeting. Attendees included Head Prosecutor Chen Ching-hui and Prosecutor Lu Ya-chun of the Office; Deputy Directors Huang Ching-hui and Chang Cheng-hua of the Chiayi County and City Investigation Stations (MJIB); Captain Weng Shih-min and Deputy Captain Huang Shun-hsiang of the Chiayi County and City Police Bureau Criminal Investigation Corps; Deputy Captains Huang Wen-tsung and Lin Rui-fa of the National Immigration Agency Special Task Forces; Section Chiefs Yang Min-hsiang, Chen Zhi-xiang, and Director Chen Zhi-chin of the Coast Guard Administration; Consumer Protection Officers Lu Ying-chi and Huang Chong-chieh of the Chiayi County and City Governments; and representatives from the Plastic, Daily Utensils, and Rice Commercial Guilds. The participants jointly discussed emergency response mechanisms, including rigorous monitoring and enhanced enforcement against the illegal hoarding of supplies and price gouging, aimed at preventing market supply and demand chaos regarding plastic bags, disposable packaging materials, and chemical fertilizers.

During the meeting, Chief Prosecutor Tsai relayed directives from the Executive Yuan, the Ministry of Justice, and the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office. A consensus was reached among participants to implement response measures, including on-site inspections by a joint task force, information sharing, and public outreach. Addressing feedback from grassroots operators regarding reduced raw material supplies and fluctuating price quotes from upstream factories, the Office will utilize the liaison platform to report any abnormal fluctuations or illegal human manipulation involving essential livelihood materials. Dedicated prosecutors assigned by the Office will coordinate and lead investigations to promptly analyze supply and demand conditions. Should any criminal liability be discovered, the Office will take forceful enforcement actions and conduct investigations based on the principles of "expediency, rigor, and severity" to demonstrate its resolve in law enforcement.

The Office urges the public to actively cooperate with the government’s plastic reduction policies by bringing their own shopping bags or reusing plastic bags to reduce consumption and increase recycling rates. Furthermore, the public is encouraged to utilize the "Second-hand Bag Circulation Boxes" set up by the Chiayi City Government at 28 locations, including supermarkets and communities, to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags. The Office calls upon businesses to uphold their corporate social responsibility and refrain from breaking the law for small gains. The public is advised not to panic; if any related illegal activities are discovered, please report them immediately. The Office will adhere to the principles of "Swiftness, Professionalism, and Precision," collaborating with platform members to actively initiate response and enforcement actions to punish illegal acts, ensure the stability of consumer prices, and safeguard the well-being of the public.