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DAA's Huang announces KMT primary candidacy

National Taiwan University professor Huang Kuang-kuo, showing his old KMT party member booklet, announces at a press conference yesterday his intention to run in the KMT primary. PHOTO: CNA

Huang Kuang-kuo (黃光國), professor at the National Taiwan University's department of psychology and the convener of the Democratic Action Alliance (DAA), yesterday declared his candidacy for the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) primary elections.

Huang said yesterday that he is in the process of applying for KMT membership.

He told a press conference that his purpose in running in the primary was to force a debate with KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) over the party's future strategy rather than winning.

Doubts

Huang said he hoped to trigger "virtuous changes" in Ma's policies so that the KMT could cooperate with and complement the actions of the DAA, which opposes the arms budget bill.

In his declaration, Huang said: "Many people, as I once did, have high expectations of Ma, but given the political upheaval over the past year, it is doubtful whether Ma remains the savior [of the country]. So far, Ma has failed to prove that he can lead Taiwan on the right path."

He criticized Ma for his inability to depart from the Democratic Progressive Party's cross-strait policies, ideology and ideas for the nation's future.

In response to Huang's declaration, KMT caucus whip Tsai Chin-lung (蔡錦隆) told a separate conference that the party welcomed anyone who would like to compete for the candidacy through its nomination mechanism.

Everybody welcome

"The KMT is an open party. Anyone who wishes to run for the primary is welcome to compete. The party has a very clear mechanism. Anyone who abides by the mechanism is welcome," he said.

Tsai also denied that the KMT would attempt to complicate Huang's a application for party membership, without which Huang would be unable to participate in the primary.

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) said that Huang's participation would stir virtuous competition within the party.

He added that a friend of his, who enjoys a good reputation within the KMT, would also add his name to the KMT's primary. He remained tight-lipped on that person's identity.

The party has yet to announce its primary timetable.
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