Thu, May 03, 2001 page3

• KMT hits back against `crazy' DPP allegations of electoral vote-buying

  DAMAGE CONTROL The KMT yesterday denied accusations that some of its senior and most influential members were involved in a nationwide farmers' association election vote-buying scam

  • By Crystal Hsu / STAFF REPORTER
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  The KMT yesterday came out in support of members accused of vote-buying in the recent election of the chairman for the Provincial Farmers' Association (台灣省農會), saying the charges were "crazy."

  On Monday, several DPP law-makers alleged that KMT officials had attempted to use cash to influence the outcome of the election for the association's chairman, who wields hefty influence over local politics.

  The allegation has irked the KMT, which is scrambling to alter its image as a corrupt political party -- an image some believe cost the party the presidential election last year.

  "It's deplorable that the DPP should allow its lawmakers to abuse their speech immunity and fabricate charges against rival parties," KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) told the weekly meeting of the party's Central Standing Committee.

  "The practice, if left unchecked, marks a tragedy for democracy."

  At stake are five to 10 legislative seats of the Provincial Farms' Association and its 200-plus branch offices nationwide are poised to help secure in December, said DPP lawmaker Lin Chung-mo (林重謨).

  According to Lin, leaders from these associations are well aware of how to make use of illegitimate funds, and have used such resources in campaigns before.

  But KMT spokesman Wang Chih-kang (王志剛) maintained that his party would never resort to dishonest measures to boost its electoral showing.

  Lin and several other DPP lawmakers alleged on Tuesday that the KMT had attempted to have Hsiao Teng-shih (蕭登獅),former chairman of the Chiayi City Farmers' Association, help persuade members of the provincial association to back KMT candidates for the positions of association chairman and executive general.

  According to the legislators, Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), Legislative Yuan speaker and KMT vice chairman, and Chao Shou-po (趙守博), director of the KMT's Organization and Development Committee, each visited Hsiao separately on April 15.

  Hsiao, they said, was offered NT$40 million by both of them, but the offers were turned down.

  The DPP legislators alleged that the KMT held a meeting to discuss the matter on April 23, when KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) decided that the KMT had to win the election "at any price."

  On the same night, they alleged, Hsieh Kuo-ku (謝國雇), the KMT's candidate for the position of association executive general, asked a friend to visit Hsiao on his behalf and offered to raise the price to NT$120 million, but was rejected again.

  The party spokesman urged the DPP leadership to discipline its "unruly" members, adding that his accused colleagues would consider taking the matter to the courts.

  In reply, Lin, one of the four DPP lawmakers who brought the matter to public attention, said that he would welcome judicial intervention.

  "The charge we made is based on solid ground," he held. "The investigators can then attest to our integrity."

  Acting on tips, Lin and colleagues have accused the KMT of seeking to control the farmers' association by providing NT$150 million for eligible voters before the election on April 25. The bribe offer failed and the reformist camp claimed victory in the end.

  To demonstrate its commitment to reform, the KMT published its nominees for legislative seats from Taipei County.

  The roster consists of 12 people, most of whom are incumbent lawmakers. But Liu Ping-wei (劉炳偉), who has been plagued by financial problems, was not nominated.
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