TAIPEI, TAIWAN: - If most Taiwanese were to sum up 2008 as 'a mess', then 2009 would likely not be any better.

The corruption probe against former president Chen Shui-bian will continue into the new year and even beyond, with the legal process likely to be protracted and socially disruptive.

On top of the corruption charges filed against him and his wife, there are more explosive allegations involving larger sums and missing diplomatic funds.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.