Wang awaits an explanation from Ma about remarks

By Ko Shu-ling  /  STAFF REPORTER

Fri, Jul 22, 2005 - Page 3

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) yesterday finally spoke out about his victorious rival, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), saying he wanted an explanation for comments Ma made during the campaign for the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairmanship election.

"I'm not angry with him nor have I ever asked him to apologize," Wang said. "He said he has offered apologies five, six, seven times, but I don't know who he apologized to. He didn't apologize to me ... Sincerity is very important."

Wang said he wants Ma to offer an explanation for comments he made during the campaign, including accusations that Wang was buying votes, conducting "black gold" politics, following the policy line of former president Lee Teng-hui (李豋輝) and fabricating party memberships in an attempt to gain more votes.

"All I care about is the party's image and what I want is very simple," Wang said. "I don't want the public to think that the KMT is a corrupt party. Since he started the problem, he is responsible for taking care of it. It is as simple as that."

Wang also insisted on relinquishing the post of KMT vice chairman, despite Ma's efforts to convince him to stay on.

Wang said that since Ma aspires to reform the party and is encouraging senior members to give up their positions to younger members, he will respond to the call and give Ma more space to put his campaign promises into practice.

"It is meaningless for me to hold on to the post as it is time for me to pass the baton on to the younger generation," he said, adding that he will continue to perform his duty as a party member.

Wang also dismissed mounting speculation that he will lead localization-minded members of the KMT to form a so-called "Taiwan Nationalist Party."

"It is nonsense," he said. "It's a political maneuver aimed at dividing the party. I'm 100 percent loyal to the party and call on KMT supporters to believe that I would never do such a thing."

Speaking about his meeting with Ma before the party's Central Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday, Wang said that Ma had actually caught him off guard.

"He deliberately waited for me there, and because I'm such a nice person, I just did whatever he asked," Wang said.

"He wanted to talk, so we talked. He is, after all, the future chairman," Wang said.

Ma arrived early for the meeting at KMT headquarters and stood watch over the driveway, cornering Wang for the meeting when he arrived.