KMT News Release

KMT News Release

Culture and Communications Committee

January 10, 2008

This morning, the KMT held a campaign press conference, in which Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung declared that he would step down from the post if the DPP could win 50 seats. He explained that, under the current circumstances, in which people have suffered from corruption, scandals, and incompetence under President Chen Shui-bian’s rule, the DPP’s attaining its goal of 50 seats would mean the failure of the KMT. Chairman Wu appealed to the public to unite together not to let President Chen fulfill his dream.

KMT heavyweights, including Wu Poh-hsiung, Honorary Chairman Lien Chan, Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, attended the press conference. Presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou was stumping for legislative candidates in Taichung County while he was joining the news conference via satellite.

Chairman Wu stressed, “The KMT is facing the least fair elections in Taiwan’s political history. The Central Election Commission has become a hatchet man under a direct control of President Chen. The CEC should know the ‘One-Stop’ voting procedure will create chaos, but it insisted on such process to hold the legislative elections. People have begun to worry about the democratic development in Taiwan.” He went on to express his wish that the voting on January 12 would go smoothly. He also made an appeal to the public to avoid any voting disputes, so that President Chen Shui-bian would not have any excuse to stop elections.

Wu Poh-hsiung said, “Chen Shui-bian said that he was capable of turning the situation around in the last few days of elections. The DPP claimed that they could gain 50 seats and then become a majority in the Legislative Yuan through realignment. I believe he said so out of confidence. People suffer because Chen Shui-bain was corrupt and unable to govern the country. If his goal can still be attained under this kind of circumstances, it means that the KMT hasn’t worked hard enough.” Therefore, Wu declare solemnly, “If Chen Shui-bian makes his goal, I will shoulder the responsibility and resign as Party Chairman. I call upon everybody to unite. We can never let Chen Shui-bian gain his purpose. If no one goes to cast his/her ballot, A-bian will laugh in his sleeve. I hope that everyone can go to vote and that the elections can go smoothly and that the possible disputes can be reduced to the minimum.”

Ma Ying-jeou said, “The function of the ruling party is to let the people have enough to eat. However, the DPP government cannot achieve that. People in Taiwan can no longer tolerate it. Only a turnover of ruling parties can make Taiwan prosper.”

Ma went on to say, “Taiwan must strive for its economy. There must be a turnover of ruling parties! The people have suffered for eight years. Please vote for Ma Ying-jeou in the Presidential election. Only when Ma-Siew ticket is elected can Taiwan’s economy be saved.”

Ma called upon everyone to cast his/her vote, and said “if you hope that Taiwan can become prosperous in the future, please vote for the KMT and the KMT candidates.”

Lien Chan pointed out, “The DPP will employ many dirty tricks; everyone should be cautious. I appeal to all the people to mobilize and actively participate in casting votes. If you do not cast votes, that is tantamount to your encouragement of and acquiescence in President Chen’s corruption. That also means your approval of Chen’s incompetence, immorality, and lack of character. I hope all voters will support the KMT legislative candidates, and cast your party ballots for the KMT. If people spread their ballots among the small parties instead of uniting to back the KMT, it will be a waste of votes and helpful to President Chen.

Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng said, “During the process of the legislative elections, everyone can see that the DPP has employed administrative resources to help its legislative candidates. The prosecutors and investigators do not handle vote-buying cases. What the DPP top executives have done has led people to believe that the prosecutors and investigators are under their command. This is a huge step backwards for Taiwan’s democracy. Only after the turnover of ruling parties will Taiwan see hope for the future. Everyone should cast their vote and support the KMT garnering a majority in the Legislative Yuan so as to control the legislature and build the basis for the turnover of ruling parties.

Attachment : none