In a continuing struggle within the KMT over who should represent the party in a crucial local by-election, party officials appear to be buying more time as they face continued resistance from yet another would-be candidate. The election for the post of commissioner is seen as a litmus test in the run-up to next year's presidential polls.
In an apparent attempt to further convince Deputy Director-General of the National Police Administration (NPA) Wang Chun (
Party officials continued to meet late into last night in an attempt to solve the impasse, with contradictory claims over whether or not Wang had accepted the nomination. An official said Yunlin County Council speaker Chen Ching-hsiu (
One KMT spokesman said if Wang Chun insists on turning down the nomination, current Yunlin County KMT chairman Chang Cheng-hsiung (
Following the refusal three days ago by Taipei District Court judge Wang Pei-chih (
Further meetings are planned for this morning before the party's Central Standing Committee finalizes the appointment of a nominee. Vice President Lien Chan (連戰) was scheduled to attend the discussions.
In order to pressure Wang Chun to join the race, KMT heavyweights continued meeting with him, among them, Premier Vincent Siew (
Although facing enormous pressure from party officials, Wang said yesterday that due to personal considerations, he had no option but to refuse the party's offer.
"Time will not wait for me, and time is the biggest factor to influence my decision," Wang said.
He explained that the by-election is scheduled for Oct. 16, which means he has less than a month to prepare his campaign.
"I would have to visit a town a day. It's `mission impossible'," he said.
He added that he would be eligible to retire from his current post in two years.
"If by accepting the nomination I have to quit my current position and throw myself into an unexpected election race, I have to admit that would I lack any real incentive to participate," he said.
Chang Cheng-hsiung, the other possible nominee, yesterday echoed Wang's sentiment.
"Time is the most crucial element in determining by-election results. The longer the delay, the more disadvantageous our position," Chang said.
He appeared optimistic about his party's chances of winning, regardless of which candidate will stand in the by-election.
"The KMT will take at least 50 to 60 percent of the votes in Yunlin County. As long as we select a good candidate, I have great confidence we will keep the county," he said.
When asked whether he has any intention to run, Chang implied that there was little choice involved when it came down to it.
"I am a party official. I have to no alternative but to respect the party's decision," Chang said.
The by-election was made necessary after the death last month of the late county commissioner Su Wen-hsiung (
One of two tropical depressions that formed off Taiwan yesterday morning could turn into a moderate typhoon by the weekend, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. Tropical Depression No. 21 formed at 8am about 1,850km off the southeast coast, CWA forecaster Lee Meng-hsuan (李孟軒) said. The weather system is expected to move northwest as it builds momentum, possibly intensifying this weekend into a typhoon, which would be called Mitag, Lee said. The radius of the storm is expected to reach almost 200km, she said. It is forecast to approach the southeast of Taiwan on Monday next week and pass through the Bashi Channel
WARNING: People in coastal areas need to beware of heavy swells and strong winds, and those in mountainous areas should brace for heavy rain, the CWA said The Central Weather Administration (CWA) yesterday issued sea and land warnings for Typhoon Ragasa, forecasting that it would continue to intensify and affect the nation the most today and tomorrow. People in Hualien and Taitung counties, and mountainous areas in Yilan and Pingtung counties, should brace for damage caused by extremely heavy rain brought by the typhoon’s outer rim, as it was upgraded to a super typhoon yesterday morning, the CWA said. As of 5:30pm yesterday, the storm’s center was about 630km southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost tip, moving northwest at 21kph, and its maximum wind speed had reached
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) yesterday said that it expected to issue a sea warning for Typhoon Ragasa this morning and a land warning at night as it approached Taiwan. Ragasa intensified from a tropical storm into a typhoon at 8am yesterday, the CWA said, adding that at 2pm, it was about 1,110km east-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost tip. The typhoon was moving northwest at 13kph, with sustained winds of up to 119kph and gusts reaching 155kph, the CWA Web site showed. Forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said that Ragasa was projected to strengthen as it neared the Bashi Channel, with its 200km
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: Hualien and Taitung counties declared today a typhoon day, while schools and offices in parts of Kaohsiung and Pingtung counties are also to close Typhoon Ragasa was forecast to hit its peak strength and come closest to Taiwan from yesterday afternoon through today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Taiwan proper could be out of the typhoon’s radius by midday and the sea warning might be lifted tonight, it added. CWA senior weather specialist Wu Wan-hua (伍婉華) said that Ragasa’s radius had reached the Hengchun Peninsula by 11am yesterday and was expected to hit Taitung County and Kaohsiung by yesterday evening. Ragasa was forecast to move to Taiwan’s southern offshore areas last night and to its southwestern offshore areas early today, she added. As of 8pm last night,
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