Greater Tainan Mayor William Lai (賴清德) yesterday said that the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) should address the issue of its stolen assets before lobbying for a parliamentary system, or the problem of uneven distribution or political resources will only continue to worsen
Lai, a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), said the KMT should reflect upon its crushing defeat at the nine-in-one elections last month by asking itself: “Should the KMT take on a more grassroots approach and become the ‘Taiwanese Nationalist Party?’”
In doing so, the KMT should address the issue of its improperly obtained assets, he said.
Lai made the comments in response to remarks by New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫), who is the sole contender for the KMT’s upcoming chairperson election, that the nation’s political system should be changed from a quasi-presidential system to a fully parliamentary system to ensure a clear distribution of administrative power.
Chu has not yet made clear his stance on the draft political party act, which includes provisions stipulating punishments for misconduct among political parties.
KMT lawmakers have blocked the act’s passage more than 200 times.
The KMT’s defeat in the nine-in-one elections is a crisis, Lai said, but it could also be a watershed moment for the party to embark on systematic reform, so that people might see it in a new light.
“If the KMT refuses to discuss the matter of its improperly obtained assets, it will only become more conservative and centralized, with only a handful of its members assuming political power,” Lai said.
“Only by turning over improperly gained assets to the Treasury will it have a chance to practice real democracy,” he said.
“Then its talent could be seen and heard, and it could reflect public opinion,” the Tainan mayor added.
He said the KMT has many items to be fixed and the issue of its assets is at the top of the list.
“If the parliamentary system is implemented hastily, the situation will only get worse, because there are no accompanying measures or plans to speak of,” he said.
Meanwhile, the DPP should remain humble and be prudent about how it is to perform well in the 13 cities and counties where it won elections, Lai said.
“I believe now is an introspective moment for ruling and opposing parties alike. The DPP should think about how to live up to people’s expectations, and the KMT should take off ‘the ring’ and return its assets to the public,” Lai said.
“Both parties should put their priorities in perspective. These reflections are more important than which political system we should use,” he added.
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