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Yu outlines first pledge in campaign for DPP chairman

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairmanship candidate Yu Shyi-kun yesterday proposed that the DPP abolish a regulation requiring certain high-ranking members to raise funds for the party, saying it would be the first step toward rebuilding the DPP's reputation for integrity.

Yu, who resigned from his position as secretary-general of the Presidential Office to run for the chairmanship, yesterday unveiled his first proposal of the campaign, and argued that the new chairman's priority would be to rebuild the party's reputation for integrity after a series of corruption scandals.

Yu said that while a regulation requiring each DPP member in a high-ranking position in the government or the party to collect money to go toward the party's annual expenses helps relieve some financial difficulties, it has become a burden.

"Although the regulation is derived from the idea that key members should share the pressure of meeting the party's financial needs, some of our party members who take up governmental offices or posts at state-run enterprises carry the stigma that politicians are collaborating with the private sector," Yu said at a news conference yesterday afternoon.

Since 1998, party members holding a high-ranking government or party position have been required to collect a certain amount of money to maintain the party's operations.

For example, the DPP chairman has to raise NT$5 million (US$150,300), the president has to collect NT$10 million, the vice president has to raise NT$3 million and the premier needs to contribute NT$2.5 million.

About NT$100 million comes from donations, while the high-ranking party members usually collect about NT$60 million every year.
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