In an effort to reinforce the social safety net and enhance public legal awareness, Prosecutor Hsiao Shih-yung of the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office was invited today (21st) to speak at the 2026 Social Security Protection Seminar hosted by the Chiayi City Police Department. The lecture covered common modern criminal patterns and prevention strategies, with a specific focus on deepening anti-bribery concepts and introducing the Whistleblower Protection Act. The initiative aims to build a clean political environment and a secure society through prosecutor-police cooperation and public participation.

Defining the Line Between Campaigning and Bribery

During the seminar, Prosecutor Hsiao noted that as local elections draw near, bribery often hides behind the guise of daily social interactions. Without sufficient legal knowledge, citizens may unknowingly break the law or become accomplices.

Key Distinction: Clarifying the boundary between legal campaigning and bribery is the top priority of current anti-bribery efforts.

• Legal: Distributing low-value promotional items such as tissues, hats, or fans printed with campaign slogans.

• Illegal: Providing high-value items—such as tobacco, alcohol, gift boxes, or cash subsidies—with the intent to influence voting behavior.

Whistleblower Rewards and Protection

The prosecution relies heavily on public intelligence. To encourage reporting, the District Prosecutors Office maintains strict confidentiality regarding informants and offers a robust reward system:

Reward Payment Schedule:

The rewards are distributed in staged payments:

1. 1/4 upon indictment.

2. 1/4 after a guilty verdict in the first or second instance.

3. The remainder once the guilty verdict is finalized.

• Report Hotline: 0800-024-099 (Dial 4 after connecting).

Promoting the Whistleblower Protection Act

Another highlight of the lecture was the introduction of the Whistleblower Protection Act. While whistleblowing effectively exposes corruption, many remain silent due to fear of retaliation or exposure.

To address this, the government has pushed for protection mechanisms ensuring identity confidentiality, job security, and personal safety. The goal is to ensure whistleblowers "dare to speak, are able to speak, and are protected" to foster a transparent and just society.

Conclusion

Clean elections are the cornerstone of democracy, and social security depends on the collective vigilance of the public. Whether by rejecting bribery, courageously reporting wrongdoing, or increasing fraud awareness, every citizen’s participation is vital. The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office remains committed to active investigation and strict law enforcement to build a clean, transparent, and trustworthy public environment.