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Presidential election 2008: Winning Ticket: KMT leaders avow no 'one-party rule'

Supporters of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou chant slogans outside Ma's campaign headquarters in Taipei yesterday afternoon. PHOTO: SAM YEH, AFP

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) won an emphatic victory over his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rival in yesterday's presidential poll, regaining power for the first time since the DPP ended the KMT's rule eight years ago.

Ma's victory gave the KMT control of both the executive and legislative branches of government after the party claimed more than two-thirds of the seats in January's legislative elections.

Ma's camp declared victory at 6pm, two hours after the voting booths closed -- with Ma beating Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) by more than 2 million votes.

Tens of thousands of supporters greeted the announcement with shouts of Ma Ying-jeou dong suan, which means "Ma Ying-jeou elected" in Taiwanese.

Ma appeared on stage in front of KMT headquarters at 7:30pm in front of excited supporters who set off air horns and shouted "President Ma."

"The election result is not a Ma-Siew team victory, neither is it a victory for the KMT. It's a victory for all Taiwanese," Ma said.

Election workers in Machiachuang, one of 33 voting stations in Tongsiao Township, Miaoli County, count ballots from yesterday's presidential election. PHOTO : CHANG HSUN-TENG, TAIPEI TIMES

"We will move forward with gratitude and act on our promises humbly. We will govern the country in accordance with the people's wishes and make reforms," he said.

In his victory speech, Ma promised to turn his campaign promises into policies and carry them out over the next four years.

"The end of the election is the beginning of commitment and change. Only change will bring hope and only change will give people opportunities," he said.

A supporter of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou holds up a sign in Taipei after it became clear that Ma would win yesterday's election. PHOTO : FANG PIN-CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES

Ma thanked Hsieh and his running mate, Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), for helping the nation reach an important milestone, a peaceful fourth direct democratic election.

"We will never forget the DPP's contribution to Taiwan's democracy and we should all feel proud of Taiwan's democracy and freedom as shown by today's election," Ma said.

Ma promised to seek to cooperate with the DPP and implement 19 policies proposed by Hsieh during his campaign.

Ma was surrounded by National Security Bureau agents as he delivered his speech from behind bullet-proof glass.

On stage about 10 minutes before Ma, KMT vice presidential candidate Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) promised to put his economic policies into practice to revive the nation's economy.

"The Ma-Siew team is ready to serve the people and fight for all Taiwanese. We will adhere to a `Taiwan-centric' vision for the next four years and defend the nation's interests," Siew said.

He vowed to serve as a competent vice president and to assist Ma in implementing their policies.

Former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰), who was defeated by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in 2000 and 2004, led high-ranking party officials in thanking voters for their support.

Lien said he expected the KMT to build a harmonious and prosperous nation.

KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) led party officials in a bow to the public, vowing to implement clean and effective government. He said he expected a stern examination of the KMT by the public now that it was the ruling party again.

"I can reassure all Taiwanese that there will be no one-party dominance. The people are the masters and the KMT is determined to meet the people's expectations," Wu said.

After he was joined onstage by People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜),Wu used the occasion to announce the merger of the two pan-blue allies.

Wu said the parties had been discussing a merger for a long time and now the time was ripe.

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) echoed Ma and Wu's promises that a "one-party dominance" would not appear under a KMT government.

"One-party governance would only make the Legislative Yuan more humble," Wang said.

"We will respect other parties' opinions and will not ignore our responsibility to examine the way we govern," he said.
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