Chen's declaration on Wednesday came amid a continuing probe into allegations that he and his wife sent an estimated US$31 million (S$44.6 million) to accounts in Switzerland and other overseas locations in 2007, the last full year of his presidency.

Chen has admitted expatriating US$20 million, but claims the money came from unused campaign contributions - permissible under Taiwanese law at the time - and was intended to underwrite Taiwanese diplomatic work.

Chen is now under investigation for allegedly embezzling money from a special presidential fund. His wife is on trial in connection with the same case. -- AP