A pro-independence heavyweight yesterday urged the public to reject the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) in Saturday's legislative elections, saying the country will never change if people continue to support a party lacking the capacity for self-examination.
Former senior adviser to the president Koo Kwan-min (辜寬敏) urged voters to spurn any party that is anti-democratic and advocates eventual unification with China.
"It is time for those who still support the KMT to wake up," Koo said. "It is a misfortune to have a political party that is anti-democratic in the 21st century."
PHOTO: CNA
Koo made the remarks after placing advertisements in yesterday's editions of several Chinese-language newspapers. He said he placed the ads because he was angry at the KMT's recent decision to boycott the two referendums to be held concurrently with Saturday's elections.
Koo said referendums are important for Taiwan's democratic process and that it is natural to hold referendums during elections.
"The KMT's decision to boycott the two referendums makes me wonder whether it deserves to exist in Taiwan ? Isn't it a shame to have a party that is so firmly against the referendums and democracy?" he said.
As one of the referendums was initiated by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to reclaim the KMT's stolen assets, Koo said the KMT's boycott showed its true colors and that it was out to protect its questionable party assets.
The KMT's stolen assets put the party on an unequal footing with other parties and only the return of those stolen assets to the treasury can put Taiwan's democratization on the right track, he said.
Koo also criticized the KMT for taking advantage of its legislative majority to implement a "scorched earth" policy and frustrate the country's democracy.
On the legislative elections, Koo said that he suspected the KMT would continue to dominate the legislature but may not obtain a two-thirds majority.
While the DPP hopes to garner 50 legislative seats, it would be considered a resounding defeat if it secures only 40, he said. However, Koo said he did not think a defeat in the legislative polls would deliver a blow to DPP candidate Frank Hsieh's (謝長廷) presidential hopes, even if the DPP won only 20 legislative seats.
Koo said he did not think President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who doubles as DPP chairman, should step down as party chairman should the DPP lose because he is considered the party's best campaigner.
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