Social Media Users Slam Terry Gou's 'harem' Remark

Taiwan's wealthiest man Terry Gou has sparked criticism after he was quoted dismissing his wife's opposition to his recently announced presidential bid by saying "the harem should not meddle in politics".

Gou, the head of tech giant Foxconn, made a surprise announcement last week that he plans to run for president in next January's elections after declaring the sea goddess Matsu urged him to do so.

The plain-speaking 69-year-old tycoon is seeking the nomination of the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) opposition party for the January polls.

But Gou's wife Delia Tseng appears to be none too happy with his foray into politics.

In a series of TV interviews aired on Thursday, Gou said Tseng had left him after he made the announcement. "My biggest challenge now is my wife who has already left home," he told local channel ECB.

When asked by reporters for his reaction to his wife's departure, Gou was quoted by multiple local media outlets as saying "the harem should not meddle in politics".

Those comments sparked a backlash on social media.

"Who does chairman Gou think he is? If he wants to be an emperor he should go to China to replace Xi Jinping," prominent feminist campaigner Fan Yun wrote on her Facebook page.

"When you wanted to run, you said a woman [Matsu] asked you to, now you are telling women not to meddle in politics," she added, addressing Gou.

Some internet users offended by the remarks urged Gou to withdraw from the presidential race.

"How many women are in chairman Gou's harem? He wants to be an emperor in the Republic of China (Taiwan). He should withdraw," read one post.

Reporters asked Gou to clarify his comments on Friday but he did not respond. (AFP)