"It could be the KMT's most crucial political declaration in Taiwan's democratization proc-ess," said Lin Hsiang-kai
"If the issues of the KMT's party businesses could be thoroughly solved, an environment guaranteeing fair political competition could be built," he said.
The KMT, which has been accused of using its wealth to consolidate power through election bribery, has investments in more than 300 companies under the jurisdiction of its powerful Business Management Committee, chaired by Liu.
In 1998, the net worth of the party's financial and media business empire reportedly reached NT$683 billion and it racked up another NT$12.1 billion in net earnings.
DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (
"You don't think the KMT wants to give up [its vested interests], do you?" Chen asked a large group of supporters in Ilan, northeastern Taiwan.
Referring to Lien's other promise to eradicate "black gold" or the involvement of money and gangsters in politics, Chen jeered that the KMT was like a "black-boned chicken."
"It is not just that its skin or flesh that is black. It's black to the bone," Chen said.
"And it cannot pretend that it is white simply by applying some white paint to its feathers," he added.
Other proposals in Lien's "third wave of reform" include the idea of legislation to regulate lobbies in parliament and donations to political parties.
He also pledged to stop gangsters from manipulating politics by revising laws to further restrict the participation of underworld figures in elections.
Critics have accused the party of maintaining close ties to politicians with criminal records and blamed the KMT for the growing influence of underworld figures in lawmaking bodies.
"Wiping out money power and gangster influence in politics cannot just rely on slogans and empty talk. We must take concrete steps," Lien said, adding that he will revise existing laws and enact new legislation to prevent people with gang links or criminal records from taking part in any political elections and to eliminate vote-buying.
Other reform measures in the KMT election platform include promoting government reengineering to enhance its professionalism and administrative efficiency; accelerating judicial reforms to improve the credibility of the judicial system; and promoting legislative reforms.
Lien also promised to ensure that the "rights of peace" of all the people in Taiwan will not be infringed, in line with the international trend of putting human rights above sovereignty.
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