KMT Press Release

Press Release
November 29, 2007

KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung said in the party’s Central Standing Committee meeting on November 28 that the reason behind the DPP’s repeated attempts to block, obstruct, and paralyze the legislative process of the bill titled “Organic Act of the Central Election Commission (CEC)” is to turn the CEC into “an election unit under the direct command of the DPP Chairman.” “The deeds of President Chen Shui-bian have deeply wounded Taiwan’s democracy, which has been a source of great pride for the people. It is time for the KMT to demonstrate its courage and determination to ensure the fairness in elections and safeguard Taiwan’s fundamental values of democracy. Besides, how is it possible for us to win a race if we have to play against the referee?” asked Wu, who went on to stress in a serious tone: “There is now no room for retreat. We must stand united and be ready to fight with our backs against the wall.”

Wu made the aforementioned statement while presiding over the party’s Central Standing Committee meeting in the afternoon of November 28, during which he commented on issues including the CEC bill, and the one-stop or two-stop voting systems, which were subjects of lively discussion in the meeting.

Wu said that according to the Election and Recall Act, the installment of the Central Election Commission should be conducted in accordance with law. The CEC should be founded on a legal basis. “Unfortunately, the DPP is resorting to every dirty trick in the book in a malicious attempt to obstruct the voting on the CEC bill in order to retain the ambiguity over the CEC’s status, which would be a bonus in the DPP’s presidential campaign. Besides, the appellate court ruling on the Kaohsiung mayoral election lawsuit has conveyed an implicit message urging candidates to use whatever means available to win the election. The deeds of the DPP have deeply wounded Taiwan’s democracy and threatened its very existence. The enactment of the CEC bill should focus on more issues than just settling the disputes over the one-stop or two-stop voting system, and should fulfill the purposes of ensuring the fairness in elections and safeguarding the fundamental values of democracy,” noted Wu.

Regarding Chen’s recent hint on the possibility of declaring martial law decree, Wu said that Chen was merely spewing his thoughts. “His anxiety over his personal future after May 20, 2008 is driving him nuts! Should Chen be audacious enough to declare martial law decree, Taiwan would be condemned to an unimaginable state of turmoil and completely ruined.”

Wu appealed to KMT members saying that “There’s no room for retreat in this crucial moment; we must stand united and be ready to fight with our backs against the wall.”

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