The KMT has been ruling supreme in Taiwan for half a century, with 30 of those years under the iron fist of martial law. This has allowed the KMT to enjoy special privileges and resources, including a massive party-run business empire. This is a product of one-party rule -- the residue of which can still be seen today. The KMT's business empire was already quite sizable during the time that Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) was president.
However, it was not until Lee Teng-hui (
It is a great irony that President Lee, known to some as "Mr Democracy," has helped party-run businesses thrive to such a large extent. Liu's role as chairman of the party's Business Management Committee has made him nearly untouchable: even orders from party bosses have little effect on his dealings. His name has become synonymous with the KMT's business empire.
If not for Lee's authorization and Liu's helmsmanship, the KMT's financial kingdom would not have swelled to the size that it is today.
The fact of the matter is, however, that the sun is setting on the KMT regime and its blueprint for power has become more and more outdated in recent years. On the other hand, there is one thing that the party has been excelling at -- the ability to expand its money-making activities.
The KMT is relying on the cash in its coffers to prolong what little power it still has. The DPP has only around NT$20 million or so yet remains a viable party based on the fundamentals of politics. One has to wonder how long the KMT would have survived with such a paltry amount of money to keep it afloat.
Seen from this viewpoint, the KMT will be cutting off its own money lifeline if Lien Chan's (
However, even if Lien does not cut off his links to the flow of party funds, an election victory by Chen Shui-bian (
The KMT seems to have decided -- since its death is only a matter of time -- to become its own executioner, and, at the same time, bet on the mirage-like notion of "reform" so that it will not have to forfeit all its assets and become penniless.
But putting party assets in a trust does not mean the KMT is getting rid of its wealth, nor will it consign party-run businesses to history. If Lien cannot put into place a three-phase reform timetable for putting the assets into trust, return that part of the money which belongs to the people and abolish party-run businesses, then the KMT will simply be like a gecko trying to survive by cutting off its own tail to deceive others.
Wang Chien-chuang is president of The Journalist magazine.
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