KMT says it might sue DPP over advertisement

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday threatened to sue the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for an alleged violation of the Election and Recall Law for Civil Servants (公職人員選舉罷免法) over a recent DPP advertisement that called on voters to reject 24 KMT district legislative candidates.

KMT caucus whip Kuo Su-chun (郭素春) told a press conference that the DPP was trying to sabotage the electoral prospects of the 24 KMT candidates through recent advertisement in Chinese-language newspapers, which alleged that the KMT was attempting to push through several proposed amendments to the Statute Governing Reconstruction of Old Military Dependents' Villages (國軍老舊眷村改建條例) in a bid to shore up support from military families.

Copies of the ads provided by the caucus showed that the ads said the proposed amendments could cost the government NT$1.32 trillion (US$40.6 billion) if passed.

The advertisement also included the pictures of the 24 KMT candidates, with their faces crossed out.

She said the advertisement could also be considered a violation of the Election and Recall Law for Civil Servants, which advocates criminal punishment for anyone who "intends to spread rumors through recordings, videos and speeches or in written forms in order to help or prevent a certain candidate from being elected."

Kuo said the lawsuit would target President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), as Chen doubles as DPP chairman, adding that the caucus would also file a slander lawsuit against Chen on behalf of the candidates.

KMT Legislator Lin Yu-fang (林郁方), who was also at the conference, said the DPP should instead blame the Ministry of National Defense, as it is the ministry that has been pushing for the reconstruction of old military villages.

Legislators do not have the authority to make budget requests, he said.