Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) yesterday said that she was undeterred by the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) attempts to poach her vote brokers, adding that many of her supporters used to side with the pan-green camp.
Hung made the remark on the sidelines of a certification ceremony in Taipei for 263 newly recruited KMT members, during which she was asked whether the attendance of pan-blue-leaning borough wardens at DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) recent campaign events in Miaoli County bothered her.
“I am not worried, as we all are seeking support from voters identified with our rival camps. Quite a few of my supporters also sided with the pan-green camp in the past,” Hung said.
Clear principles and an unequivocal national recognition of the nation are what truly matter, Hung said, adding that a candidate who lacked those qualities would inevitably lose supporters.
Hung rejected Tsai’s call on Saturday to stop using history to manipulate political rivalries and social division.
“I do not understand what she means by ‘manipulating social divisions.’ We must restore the truth of historical events so that the public can ... learn about the past, know about the present and look to the future,” Hung said.
Tsai was speaking about the controversy surrounding former president Lee Teng-hui’s (李登輝) recent interview with a Japanese magazine.
Meanwhile, Hung downplayed inquiries about rumors that the KMT would revise nomination rules to once again allow Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) to retain his legislator-at-large status and the speakership.
She would respect whatever decision KMT headquarters makes on the issue.
The KMT in 2011 amended its regulations on nominations for legislators-at-large and overseas legislators to allow members with “special contributions” to be nominated for two successive terms instead of being limited to one.
Those who fit the above criteria and also hold the position of legislative speaker are allowed to serve a total of three terms, the KMT rules state.
Wang’s third term as a legislator-at-large is set to end on Jan. 31.
KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) also declined to discuss the rumors.
“The party has yet to begin deliberation on matters regarding the nomination of legislators-at-large. However, we will definitely factor in the public’s expectations of having talented people in the legislature when the deliberation process starts, which would probably occur late next month or in October,” Chu said.
Taiwan is to receive the first batch of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 jets from the US late this month, a defense official said yesterday, after a year-long delay due to a logjam in US arms deliveries. Completing the NT$247.2 billion (US$7.69 billion) arms deal for 66 jets would make Taiwan the third nation in the world to receive factory-fresh advanced fighter jets of the same make and model, following Bahrain and Slovakia, the official said on condition of anonymity. F-16 Block 70/72 are newly manufactured F-16 jets built by Lockheed Martin to the standards of the F-16V upgrade package. Republic of China
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