Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) brass yesterday urged Taipei City Government officials loyal to Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Taipei City Government spokesman Wu Yu-sheng (
Local media began referring to Wu and Lin as the "Ma clan" and said their plans were designed gain popular support to pave the way for a Ma presidency in 2008.
KMT Secretary-General Lin Fong-cheng (林豐正) yesterday dismissed the speculation and said the party has regulations on nominating candidates.
"The party has a nomination system. Individuals recommended by Mayor Ma still need to go through the system," he said.
"Should these individuals get nominated, then, via this system, not only would Mayor Ma campaign for them, the whole party would get behind them," Lin Fong-cheng said.
Noting that Ma is also a vice chairman of the party, Liao Feng-teh (
"As for those who are not members of the KMT, they would be handled differently," Lin Fong-cheng said without elaborating.
"Should the nomination for the constituencies in which the Ma clan wishes to take part become over-crowed, I would suggest that Mayor Ma try to dissuade these city officials from running in the election," Liao said. "The competition for party nominations in some constituencies in Taipei City is fierce already."
Ma said little yesterday about efforts by party authorities to block his cronies from running in the election, saying the so-called Ma clan was created by the media and does not exist.
During the Taipei City Council's question and answer session yesterday, Ma denied that city officials were running to pave the way to the Presidential Office.
"I have to stress that my administration does not equate to what you dubbed the `Ma clan,'" he said.
In addition to Wu Yu-sheng and Lin Cheng-hsiu, Bureau of Civil Affairs Director Samuel Wu (
Responding to questions by KMT councilors Chin Li-fang (秦儷舫) and Lin I-hua (林奕華), Ma said he had not heard of Liao trying to dissuade city officials from running.
Ma added that he would not campaign for non-KMT members, even for Lin Cheng-hsiu, who is a member of the Green Party.
Ma denied reports that he is campaigning to become KMT chairman, saying no one can speak on his behalf on such issues.
Wu Yu-sheng said yesterday he will not give up his election drive because of opposition from KMT heavyweights.
"The KMT is a democratic party and I believe that party members have freedom to express their opinions," Wu Yu-sheng said.
"Every party member should contribute and be supportive of reform," he said. "Other party members should be tolerant of different ideas."
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