Su Yeong-chin (
However, the KMT still owns a vast array of assets and the monster of what is known as "KMT-state capitalism" remains. It's a pity that Su failed to advise us how to end such unfairness.
In Taiwan, a democratic system has already been established while party politics remains in an embryonic state. Unfortunately, the regulations governing party politics are incomplete due to delays in the passage of the proposed political party law (
All the different drafts of this bill proposed by ruling and opposition lawmakers in the past have contained the same measure forbidding political parties from operating businesses. This is a common restriction in democracies.
The latest draft also stipulates that parties must both file a financial report and annually update records of their assets. But these measures have all been used as tools in political struggles due to the nature of KMT-state capitalism. It has therefore become necessary for the KMT to dispose of its businesses and improperly obtained assets.
The media think the DPP is cutting off the KMT's financial resources by proposing the political party law and the regulations on the disposition of improperly obtained assets. The DPP is certainly capable of handling the issue magnanimously in order to keep legislative operations running smoothly and to maintain peace between the ruling and opposition camps. If it were to do so, it would gain plaudits for its generosity while the KMT would retain its assets.
From the perspective of both political reality and electoral interests, the DPP can afford to choose leave the KMT's assets alone. If it were to choose that course, however, there would be no prospect of the political party law being proposed -- let alone discussed and passed -- and no chance for Taiwan to build a fair, competitive system for all political parties.
The total value of KMT assets remains a mystery to this day. Many think that the party's published figure of NT$53.7 billion (US$1.58 billion) is understated. Given the scope of its assets and investments, the party is like a giant business conglomerate.
If the political party law is not passed and the KMT regains power, the monster that is KMT-state capitalism will receive a further shot in the arm
Today, the disposition regulations only focus on assets improperly obtained by the KMT and do not look into possible criminal liability. Returning state assets to the state and "settling accounts and waging struggles" are two entirely different things.
KMT-state capitalism is the baggage left over from KMT rule. As the Chinese saying goes, "Let he who tied the bell to the tiger remove it."
It would be best if the KMT were to solve the problem by itself instead of launching a campaign to protect its assets. The KMT had plenty of time to dispose of its assets after it lost power more than two years ago. But it has repeatedly delayed and thus affected passage of the political party law.
Some people think that the DPP is dealing with the matter in a crude fashion. From the perspective of building a fair, competitive system for all political parties, however, achieving justice is never a matter of "low-minded gratification," as Su claims.
Jan Shou-jung is a former legislative assistant.
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
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