The embattled head of Taiwan’s top research body, Academia Sinica, is set to meet with President Ma Ying-jeou on Monday morning.
The official, Wong Chi-huey, has been investigated for the possibility that he shared information about one of Taiwan’s top biochemistry corporations, Obi Pharma.
The company’s stock price fell sharply in late February following a failed clinical drug test. Several company shareholders, including Wong’s daughter, collectively sold NT$340 million worth of stock four days before the disclosure of the test results. That prompted an investigation into the possibility of insider trading.
Prosecutors have listed Wong as a defendant in an investigation into insider trading allegations and have banned him from leaving Taiwan. There have been cross-partisan calls within the legislature for Wong’s resignation.
Wong has already offered his resignation more than once to President Ma. But so far, the president has not accepted it.
The Presidential Office said that Wong called Ma last Friday to apologize, and to ask for the opportunity to report to the president.