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Lee berates DPP, KMT for inactivity

Lee Teng-hui, former president and the Taiwan Solidarity Union's (TSU) spiritual leader, waves to the crowd at a ceremony unveiling the TSU's new party charter and program. Lee is joined onstage by TSU Chairman Huang Kun-hui, right. PHOTO: FANG PIN-CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday expressed his disappointment with the country's two biggest political parties while saying he remained confident in the Taiwan Solidarity Union's (TSU) ability to bring justice to the public.

Lee made the remarks at a ceremony in Taipei to unveil the TSU's new charter.

A suitable leader for Taiwan should insist on the nation's sovereignty and social justice, care for the disadvantaged and work to enhance ethnic harmony, Lee said.

He added, however, that he didn't see anyone with that kind of vision in the two major political parties.

"During all these years, the ruling party has not proposed any forward-looking national development projects. It has only become involved in political struggle," Lee said in his speech, referring to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has been in power since 2000.

The recent infighting among the DPP's four presidential hopefuls, the government's involvement in business and the stalled central government budget all contributed to his dismay with the DPP, Lee said.

"[Presidential hopefuls] attack each other during the primary, what exactly are they fighting for? I don't see any clear agenda from them," he said.

Just a few weeks ago, several Cabinet officials were alleged to have been involved in the sale of shares in a TV station after Japanese shareholders released their stock holdings, he added.

Meanwhile, this year's central government budget is still yet to be passed in the Legislative Yuan due to legislative disputes between the government and the opposition, Lee said.

"Taiwan has surely broken the record as this year's central government budget is still to be passed even though it's almost the end of April," Lee said.

Lee said he was equally disappointed at the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), the largest opposition party.

"In addition to boycotting the ruling party and paralyzing the government, the largest opposition party has also collaborated with China with its mind set on getting back in power," he said.

Since the KMT lost power in 2000, high-ranking party officials have visited China several times and advocated closer ties.

"The two major parties have both failed to actively contribute to the welfare of the people of Taiwan and to the development of the country," Lee said.

While Lee was disappointed with the two parties, he said he saw hope in the TSU.

Lee praised the TSU for the "center-left" core values espoused in its new party charter.

"Simply speaking, `center-left' means caring for the disadvantaged, providing opportunities for youth and actions rather than words," Lee said.

The party's new charter would focus on guarding Taiwan's sovereignty, building Taiwan-centric national development strategies, enhancing harmony among ethnic groups, ensuring social justice and building a corruption-free government, a statement released by the party said.

In order to stress these values, TSU members read the new party charter in six languages including Mandarin, Hoklo, Hakka, sign language and Paiwan, an Aboriginal language.

"We stand for the middle class, while caring for the disadvantaged," TSU Chairman Huang Kun-hui (黃昆輝) said. "We'll strengthen our relations with social groups to achieve our goals."
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