Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) yesterday dismissed calls for the KMT to reduce the party’s assets to zero as a “pseudo-issue,” saying that the party would at least need chairs and tables.
“My stance on the matter is basically the same as the KMT caucus, but I suppose the phrase ‘reducing party assets to zero’ does not include desks and chairs,” Hung said on the sidelines of a handover ceremony for leaders of the KMT’s local youth associations in Taipei yesterday.
Hung said as other political parties, such as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the People First Party (PFP), also own such things, she does not believe it is the intention of the KMT caucus to “reduce even the party’s office chairs and desks to zero.”
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
As such, the phrase “reducing party assets to zero” is nothing but a pseudo-issue, Hung said, adding that the usage of the term is inappropriate.
However, Hung said that she hopes to dispose of the party assets deemed controversial by the public as soon as possible, either by way of donation, bequeathing or by returning them to their rightful owners.
“I believe the KMT caucus and I share similar opinions in this regard,” Hung said.
Hung’s remarks came on the heels of the election of KMT Legislator Sufin Siluko (廖國棟) as the party’s caucus whip on Thursday, when the lawmaker said the KMT caucus would be guided by public opinion and that the majority of caucus members support the idea of reducing the KMT’s assets to zero.
Other KMT members have also called on party headquarters to dispose of controversial assets after the party’s disastrous defeat in the Jan. 16 presidential and legislative elections, saying assets have become a liability for the party.
Meanwhile, at yesterday’s handover ceremony, Hung also shrugged off criticism that the KMT does not appreciate young talent.
“Without young people, the KMT does not have hope. Some critics’ comments that the party does not value young people are unfair in certain respects. The KMT is willing to learn from other parties that do a better job uncovering and cultivating talent,” Hung said.
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