Taking its first steps toward fulfilling an election pledge and putting its party assets into trust, a KMT task force said yesterday they had made progress on a planned transfer of funds.
On Jan. 2, Vice President and KMT presidential candidate Lien Chan (
After the meeting yesterday, KMT spokesman Huang Hwei-chen (
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
"Initially, the KMT wants to give an impetus [to the plan] by promoting related bills. Then, on the basis of a completed legal structure, we can entrust our property to professional managers,'' Huang said.
"Due to the complexity of putting KMT assets in trust, we would likely entrust [such a task] to two companies, which could be either domestic or foreign firms,'' Huang said.
Other measures would include making public KMT assets according to a set timetable and instructing the KMT's legislative caucus to negotiate with the executive branch of the government and push through the related bills.
Huang said the KMT's decision to put its assets into trust stemmed from political considerations rather than economic factors.
"In fact, looking at the KMT-run business empire's impressive investment reports, KMT controlled companies run better than other corporations,'' Huang said.
However, some members of the task force warned the KMT against the possible negative impact entrusting assets could engender for Taiwan's economic development.
"In the process of entrusting KMT assets, the KMT should draw up a detailed blueprint -- otherwise, it could generate a backlash in Taiwan's economy,'' said Henry Rai (
At the meeting yesterday, KMT secretary-general Huang Kun-hui (
Citing President and KMT chairman Lee Teng-hui (
He urged the party to push through the necessary regulations, such as The Trust Enterprise Law, the Political Party Law, the Lobby Law and other related laws as soon as possible.
"Responding to the anticipation of the public, the KMT will act efficiently to `cash our political check,'" Huang said, referring to the party asset plan.
The head of the KMT's business empire, Liu Tai-ying (
Legislators, meanwhile, have reached a consensus on a plan of action, saying that at the beginning of the new session on Feb. 18, following a report by Premier Vincent Siew (
The KMT and DPP legislative caucuses have agreed that as long as the necessary bills are passed by Feb. 22, the legislature will go into recess until March 18, when the next president is elected.
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