Spurned Ma aide appointed vice secretary general

Steve Chan, a top aide to Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), has been appointed KMT vice secretary-general, a senior party official said yesterday.

KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) said that Chan's appointment should help integrate efforts between Ma's campaign office and the party to boost his candidacy.

"The appointment of Chan will make it easier for the party to cooperate with Ma's camp. The arrangement is made with victory in the presidential election next year in mind," Wu said at KMT headquarters.

Wu denied allegations that the party appointed Chan to make up for its failure to nominate him as a legislator-at-large candidate.

"It isn't necessary to mollify Chan because he will be a great brain for the country in the future," Wu said.

Chan had expressed his regret over the party's decision not to include him on its legislator-at-large candidate list because of suspicions over his connection to the "319 shooting incident."

He offered to leave Ma's campaign team if those suspicions persisted.

The term refers to the March 19, 2004, assassination attempt on President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮). Chen and Lu were treated at Chi Mei Medical Center where Chan then served as dean.

The "319 shooting incident" divided the KMT before the elections and Ma has said he would reopen the investigation if elected.

Wu said that KMT Vice Chairman Chan Chun-po (詹春柏) is also serving as a director of Ma's campaign team to facilitate the integration of the party and the Ma camp.