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KMT names Ma Ying-jeou as presidential candidate

Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Ma Ying-jeou, center, shouts ``Forward, Taiwan!'' at a press conference in Taipei yesterday after the KMT's Central Standing Committee nominated him as the party's candidate for the presidential election. At right is KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung, and at left is KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kung. PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) was nominated as his party's presidential candidate yesterday and said he would invite Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) to be his running mate.

"Speaker Wang is a wise person. I will seek to meet with him and discuss how we can work together to secure victory in the presidential election," Ma told a press conference at KMT headquarters after the party's Central Standing Committee approved the nomination motion.

Accompanied by KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄), Ma later paid a visit to former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰).

After a one-hour closed-door meeting, Ma said Lien respected his sincerity, but expected him to "do more and say less."

"I will do more and say less from now on and enhance my communication [with Wang]," Ma said.

He also presented his campaign platform on the economy, pledging to raise the country's economic growth rate to 6 percent and the average income per person to US$20,000 by 2011.

Ma also proposed the establishment of a "construction fund" for local governments, which would be funded by taxpayers.

"Central government money should be used to assist local governments. We propose that NT$100 billion [US$3 billion] of taxpayers' money be used to set up the fund," Ma said, adding that he would ensure that the fund became a reality if he won the election.

Ma also said that he would raise the subsidy for elderly farmers if elected.

"We promise to increase the farmers' subsidy to NT$6,000 and to protect the livelihoods of elderly farmers," he said.

On cross-strait issues, Ma said Taiwan should push for the normalization of economic and trade relations under the principles of "prioritizing Taiwan and benefiting Taiwanese."

He said the government should loosen cross-strait economic regulations, but that Taiwanese companies should ensure their roots remain at home.

"We should limit the transfer of technological know-how, rather than investment," he said.

If elected president, Ma said, he would push for more Chinese tourists to be allowed to visit Taiwan. He said it would be his goal for 3 million Chinese to visit Taiwan each year within four years, generating NT$100 billion in revenue.

Wang yesterday refused to comment on Ma's offer for him to run for vice president, restating that he wouldn't reveal his stance on a "Ma-Wang presidential ticket" before the KMT's national convention on June 24. Ma's candidacy is expected to be formally announced at the meeting.

However, Wang said he was willing to meet Ma, provided a third party was in attendance.

Later yesterday, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Wang Tuoh (王拓) held a press conference to address Ma's nomination.

"We welcome the news that Ma won the KMT's presidential nomination, because this means that the DPP can be more confident of winning next year's election," Wang Tuoh said.

However, the DPP questioned the feasibility and legitimacy of Ma's proposed appropriation of NT$100 billion for a local government construction fund.

DPP Legislator Lan Mei-ching (藍美津) said the fund was nothing but a "vote-buying strategy" and questioned Ma's ability to balance the government budget.

"President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) [Ma's predecessor as Taipei mayor] left NT$35.4 billion in the Taipei City Government's coffers when he left in 1994. When Ma left office last year, the city government was encumbered with debts of NT$87.3 billion," she said.
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