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KMT's Ma to announce running mate by Sunday

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday he would announce his running mate by Sunday.

Ma made the remarks when answering media inquiries at an event in Taipei.

Ma said he would make the announcement before the party holds its annual national assembly on Sunday, during which delegates are expected to officially approve Ma, as well as his choice of a running mate, as the party's presidential and vice presidential candidates for next year's presidential election.

Ma begun his search for a new running mate after Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) on May 31 turned down Ma's invitation to run on the same ticket.

There has been media speculation that Ma could include former vice premier Tsai Ying-wen (蔡英文) and Uni-President Group chief executive officer Jason Lin (林蒼生) in his list of potential running mates. It is believed that Tsai could help expand Ma's support base and that Lin, an entrepreneur from southern Taiwan, could do as much for that part of the country.

Tsai, however, dismissed that possibility on June 2. Lin also issued a statement saying he had no intention nor desire to change his career and enter politics.

Ma's aides have said that as part of his efforts to rebuild the nation's traditional values, the former Taipei mayor would team up with a running mate who is honest and diligent and has a down-to-earth work style.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) was also tight-lipped yesterday on his choice of running mate.

Former vice premier Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭), whom the local media has speculated would be Hsieh's most likely choice, said last week she would not pass up the opportunity if Hsieh were to ask for her cooperation.

But she refused to confirm whether she had already reached an agreement with Hsieh on the matter.

During a visit to the DPP caucus at Taipei City Council last Tuesday, Hsieh told DPP Taipei city councilors he would keep his promises concerning his choice of vice presidential candidate made during the party's primary, but declined to specify what these promises were.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CNA
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