A Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) heavyweight in Kaohsiung yesterday denied claims by Kaohsiung County Commissioner Yang Chiu-hsing (楊秋興) that he had been enlisted to head Yang’s election campaign for Greater Kaohsiung.
Former county commissioner Lin Yuan-yuan (林淵源), who is regarded as the spiritual leader of Kaohsiung County’s pro-KMT “White Faction” (白派), told a press conference in Taipei that although Yang had visited him to discuss the matter on two separate occasions, he had never promised to serve as director of his campaign.
“I am very old. Plus, I have my principles. After giving the matter thorough consideration, I turned down [Yang’s] invitation,” Lin said.
The White Faction is one of three influential political factions in the county.
Yang is running in next month’s mayoral election for Greater Kaohsiung as an independent.
Invitations sent out on Sunday to attend the grand opening of Yang’s campaign office listed Lin as head of the campaign.
Although Lin declined to head Yang’s campaign, he did not make it clear whether this meant he would support Huang Chao-shun (黃昭順), the KMT’s candidate for mayor in Greater Kaohsiung.
“I will support a good person who has integrity and ability, who is dedicated to serving the public and who can lower Kaohsiung’s unemployment rate and boost tourism,” Lin said when asked for comment.
KMT caucus whip Lin Yi-shih (林益世), who also attended the conference, sniped at Yang, saying “someone” was trying to create a false impression that the KMT was facing a split in the election.
Lin Yi-shih urged Yang not to “mislead” voters.
In response, Yang said he understood the political pressure the KMT heavyweight was facing, adding that he had met Lin Yuan-yuan on two occasions while “someone” — he did not say who — had also visited Lin Yuan-yuan in his stead and told him that the faction leader had agreed to lead his campaign.
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