After a series of embarrassing mishaps, Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Speaking in Taipei, Ma said that he is running to bring reform and new life to the KMT. He suggested that current chairman Lien Chan (
Promising to help the KMT eliminate corruption, resolve its beleaguered financial situation, protect the rights of its employees and place a greater importance on youth, Ma also resolved to adhere to the KMT's core principles, such as its defense of the Republic of China. Ma said he is running for the KMT's chairmanship not for honor or riches, but to answer the needs of the people.
PHOTO: SUNG CHIH-HSIUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Hope
While the people have lost hope in the Taiwanese political situation, as can be seen from the low voter turnout in last year's legislative election, Ma said, the public still has hope for the KMT.
"The past five years, they have been anxious ones for the people. The pan-greens are administering the country badly, while the blue camp has been powerless to balance the situation. However, the people still have hope in the blue camp. They still hope the KMT can be rational, diverse and accepting, and solve Taiwan's problems. This is the main reason I am standing out at this time to run for chairman," Ma said.
Ma's formal explanation of the reasons behind his candidacy for the party's July 16 chairmanship race came after a series of mishaps. First, the Ma camp had originally planned to hold yesterday's event at Da-an Park in Taipei on March 29, Taiwan's national Youth Day. The day before the event, however, the Taipei City Police Department made Ma change the date and venue due to a scheduling mistake, making redundent the invitations Ma had already sent out and the front-page ads he had placed in a number of papers.
Then, in the second round of invitations Ma's campaign office sent out, the Chinese character for "respect" [
Despite the complications, over 3,000 people showed up yesterday at 10am to hear Ma explain his vision for the party and his rationale for running.
Peanuts
Ma said that if he's elected chairman, he will emphasize party renewal by forming a "KMT youth corps," the leader of which should be allowed to become a party vice chairman. He will also promote the establishment of a "peanuts volunteer group," in reference to the Chinese term tudou (
"Tudou are peanuts that are hardy and grow as they hit the ground; they are not yams or okras," Ma said in reference to the Taiwanese slang in which yams refer to Taiwanese of Hoklo descent and okras to those of Mainland stock.
While advocating reform, Ma also praised current KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
In his four years as chairman, Ma said, Lien not only oversaw institutional change to allow the direct election of party chairpersons, but also abolished an appointment system for the central standing committee membership, slimmed the KMT's staff down from 3,000 to 1,600 and began tackling the KMT's party asset situation.
"These [past four years] have seen the greatest changes the KMT has had for 50 years," the mayor said.
"I believe that Chairman Lien will leave an important legacy and I suggest here that, in view of the contributions that Chairman Lien has made, we alter our party bylaws to establish an honorary chairman position, and give this honor to Chairman Lien," Ma said, adding that he hopes Lien will continue to give guidance on party policy in the future.
Ma also answered public criticism that he has not "stuck to any pots" (
Pot-sticking
"Some pots, I do not stick to. But some pots, I am all over them. What pots do I not stick to?" Ma asked.
"I do not stick to `black money' pots. I do not stick to alcohol and debauchery pots. I do not stick to the `Taiwanese independence pot,'" he continued.
"What pot do I stick to? I stick to the `patriotism' pot and to the `reform pot,'" Ma said.
Ma pointed to his staunch opposition to corruption within his own party when he was minister of justice from 1993 to 1996 and to his participation in student movements during his college days at National Taiwan University.
Joining the supporters were over 50 pan-blue leaders and legislators, including New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming (
Among the legislators were representatives of all three parties, including the PFP's Supo Kao (
Conflict
Addressing specifically the rumors of conflict between him and Wang over the chairmanship, Ma said that supporters need not worry that the race will cause a division in the KMT.
"Speaker Wang and I are deeply loyal party members," Ma said.
"The future election will be held under fair and open conditions; the election will be a competition between gentlemen," he said.
Ma emphasized his respect for and recognition of Wang as a valuable asset to KMT given Wang's 30 years of experience in the legislature.
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