The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday intensified its attacks on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and KMT Secretary-General King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) led campaign events in Kaohsiung and Taipei cities to drum up support in the run-up to the Nov. 27 special municipality elections.
Campaigning for KMT Greater Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Huang Chao-shun (黃昭順) yesterday morning, Ma, in his capacity as KMT chairman, accused the DPP of leading a closed-door policy in the past and ignoring the development of the southern port city.
“Over the years, the DPP kept the nation, Kaohsiung City and the Port of Kaohsiung closed because of its ideology. The party and its local leaders in Kaohsiung owe the people in Kaohsiung so much for failing to give them a better life,” Ma said.
Ma defended the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), which took effect in September, saying it revived the nation’s economy and that Huang would help attract more foreign investments to Kaohsiung if elected.
In Taipei, King challenged DPP Taipei City mayoral candidate Su Tseng-chang’s (蘇貞昌) commitment, urging voters to support Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) for a better life.
“How would Mr Su devote his efforts in constructing Taipei if the mayoral election is not what he is truly aiming for? If he were elected, his administration would focus on confronting the central government,” King said during the establishment of a campaign group at Hau’s campaign headquarters.
The campaign group, comprising of female supporters, was mobilized by Cecilia Koo (辜嚴倬雲), wife of late Straits Exchange Foundation chairman Koo Chen-fu (辜振甫).
King said Su’s criticism of Taipei’s garbage bag collection fee policy and proposal to cancel the fee highlighted his lack of environmental protection awareness and global vision and called on KMT supporters to give full support to Hau in the election.
Amid cheers and chants of “Victory for Hau Lung-bin!” Hau accused his opponent of presenting no solid platforms, while promising to provide future generations a better environment if elected.
“The result of this election will decide the nation’s future and the future of our kids ... You and your children will not benefit by electing a candidate who offers no solid policies and only tries to fawn over voters,” he said.
King and Hau also urged supporters to join the party’s rally for Hau on Nov. 21. King described the rally as a “carnival” that will include balloons, toys and mascots of the Taipei International Flora Expo, and said the activity welcomed all Taipei residents who wish for a better future.
“Let’s all come out on Nov. 21 and walk for the future of Taipei City, rain or shine,” he said.
According to the KMT, the rally will start in the early afternoon in front of Taipei City Hall and end with a campaign party on Ketagalan Boulevard.
Later when campaigning for Greater Tainan mayoral candidate Kuo Tien-tsai (郭添財), Ma vowed to demand integrity from all party candidates. When asked whether the Supreme Court’s sentencing of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and his wife to 11 years and eight years in prison over corruption charges would affect the elections, Ma said the party is still weighing the impact of the ruling on the party’s electoral outlook.
“The KMT will continue to be a responsible party that demands integrity from all party candidates ... Society will pay a big price if people do not value integrity and one could end up in jail without that integrity. Public servants should never get involved in any form of corruption,” he said.
Ma later returned to Taipei City and accompanied Hau, canvassing the streets at the Raohe Street Night Market.
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