Sun, Aug 01, 2004 page3

• KMT defector is accused of opportunism

  DEFECTION Having gone from a `Blue Eagle Warrior' to a bird of prey stalking the party in which he used to nest, Chiu Teh-hung finds himself with new enemies

  • By Huang Tai-lin / STAFF REPORTER
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  Until last week, Chiu Teh-hung (邱德宏) was a rank-and-file member of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and a spokesman for the "Blue Eagle Warriors" (藍鷹戰將), a group formed by some of the party's young members.

  However, last Monday, wearing a Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) T-shirt bearing an image of the party's mascot -- an ant -- he accepted the TSU's nomination to run in the year-end legislative elections in the Miaoli Constituency.

  While some lauded Chiu's change of heart, some KMT members criticized Chiu's defection from the KMT and called him "an opportunist" or "a politico."

  In his own defense, Chiu said that he had been consistent in his pro-localization stance.

  "I am young, I have a right to choose," he said.

  "If I make an incorrect choice the first time, I have the right to correct my mistake," he said.

  Chiu said that he chose to join the TSU because the party's pro-localization stance is crystal-clear, whereas the KMT lacks a clear platform on the issue despite claims to the contrary.

  Chiu first came into the media limelight because of his forthright criticism of the KMT's leadership. Unsatisfied with the party's pace of reform after the March 20 presidential election, Chiu in April organized the Blue Eagle Warriors. The group called on the party leadership to admit defeat in the presidential election, conduct a generational transfer of power, back comprehensive reform and re-assess the party's direction.

  TV programs

  Chiu was frequently seen on TV call-in programs and was outspoken in his criticism of the KMT's pace of reform and its leadership.

  Chiu again hit the headlines when, during KMT Lien Chan's (連戰) "thanksgiving tour," which brought the party chairman to Miaoli in mid-June, he called Lien "a lazy worm" to his face.

  It was without doubt his outspokenness that gained him media exposure and growing name recognition.

  After a meeting with former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) two weeks ago, Chiu praised the former president as a "roc," a legendary giant bird from ancient Arab literature, and said that in comparison, Lien "is less than a sparrow."

  Lee is considered the spiritual leader of the TSU.

  Membership revoked

  After having applied to become a TSU member last Wednesday and having accepted the TSU's nomination to run in the December legislative elections, Chiu was punished by the KMT's evaluation and discipline committee, which decided to revoke his KMT membership.

  KMT Legislator Lin Yi-shih (林益世) called Chiu "an opportunist who has set the worst example for young people."

  Referring to Chiu's outspoken criticism of the KMT, Lin said that Chiu should not pursue personal political gain at the expense of his party.

  "This youngster should bear in mind that it is important to be loyal to one's party," said Lin, who also serves as the director-general of the party's Youth Affairs Department.

  If Chiu really wants what is best for the KMT, he should stay in the KMT and continue to push for party reform instead of defecting to another party, Lin said.

  Chiu, 30, is the son of Miaoli County Council Vice Speaker Chiu Shao-chun (邱紹俊), an independent.

  `Elite group'

  Chiu registered to become a KMT member last June at the recommendation of Lien and Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), and was a member of the "Chunghsing Elite Group" (中興菁英班), which was established by the KMT two years ago to broaden the party's appeal among young people.

  The Chunghsing Elite Group boasted 270 members and had been described as "Chairman Lien Chan's trusted followers."

  But most observers agree that the party has shown little inclination to promote the young members to more influential and responsible positions.

  "The party would give you titles such as adviser to such-and-such committee, but the reality is that the party fails to implement substantial measures to make young members feel that they matter," said Chiu, who received an MA in public affairs and administration from Chi Nan University (暨南大學).

  `A kind of hell'

  "The KMT is a kind of hell that ruins youngsters, not a paradise that cultivates them," Chiu said, adding that oppression within the KMT as result of his outspokenness was another reason that left him no choice but to leave the party.

  Disagreeing with criticism that paints Chiu as an opportunist for running on the TSU ticket, Liu I-de (劉一德), former director of the Democratic Progressive Party's organizational development department, said that there is nothing wrong with politicians deciding to change parties at some point in their careers.

  "In a party where charismatic leadership is lacking, what good is it to stay there?" said Liu, who is now a TSU member.

  Saying that the TSU is a small but ambitious party that knows how to nurture young talent, Liu said that the TSU "is providing an opportunity for young people" in its acceptance of Chiu as its member.
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