Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wu Den-yih (
Wu made the remarks following reports in yesterday's China Times and the United Daily News which said that Wu was set to take over incumbent Chan Chun-po's (
Emphasizing that he claimed "no right to choose battles," Wu said that taking on the job of secretary-general would be an honor and a great opportunity.
Wu said he would not resign from the legislature if he was granted the new position, as holding the two jobs would enhance interaction and communication between the KMT legislative caucus and party headquarters.
Five goals
Wu outlined five goals to help Ma push for KMT reform -- to streamline the party, to solve the problem of the party's assets, to use wisdom, to employ talented people and to express sympathy for the public.
Wu was elected to the legislature in 2001 for Nantou County after failing in his re-election bid for Kaohsiung mayor in 1998. He was re-elected to the legislature in 2004.
Wu yesterday told the press that he would tap Chan to be one of the party's vice chairmen.
Chan has held positions as deputy director of the KMT's policy committee, Taipei branch director and former KMT chairman Lien Chan's (
Chan also served as Ma's campaign director when Ma was running for Taipei mayor in 2000 and has been assisting Ma since he took over the party chairmanship last August.
Chan was not available for comment yesterday.
Despite Wu's openness on the matter, Ma declined to confirm Wu's appointment.
The KMT chairman merely said that "if the secretary-general was also a legislator, he would have a deeper understanding of the legislature and handle the job better. That would be a good thing."
Personnel reshuffle
After leaving his post as Taipei mayor last month, Ma has been considering a personnel reshuffle in the party to show his reformative efforts.
Besides Chan, other top-level party officials, such as Liao Feng-te (
Asked whether he would pair up with Ma to contest the 2008 presidential election, Wu said he had never thought about it.
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
But Wang said that if Wu doubled up as secretary-general and lawmaker, it would help Ma to better coordinate with the legislature.
The possible replacement, however, was no simple matter.
KMT legislators Wu Yu-sheng (
"Last week I got an e-mail in Chan's name that said he had failed in his duties and would like to retire from office," Wu Yu-sheng said.
Lai, who said he also got the e-mail, said he had asked Chan about it, but Chan told him that he didn't even know how to send an e-mail.
Disapproval
Some KMT lawmakers disapproved of the possible replacement, with KMT Legislator Chen Chieh (陳杰) saying Wu Den-yih has infrequent interaction with his legislative colleagues.
"He needs to improve that if he wants to become the party's secretary-general," Chen Chieh said.
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