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進入《TAIPEI TIMES 焦點》 Former premier Hsieh urges KMT to resolve issue
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Ting-fei yesterday holds a news conference in Taipei, questioning a potential change in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s （KMT） presidential candidate. Photo: Wang Min-wei, Taipei Times
By Loa Iok-sin and Tseng Wei-chen / Staff reporters
Democratic Progressive Party （DPP） officials yesterday maintained a reserved attitude toward the possibility of the Chinese Nationalist Party （KMT） changing its presidential candidate.
“I am in no position to make any comment on the situation, as it is the KMT’s own business,” former premier Frank Hsieh （謝長廷） said.
“However, it is hoped that the KMT settles the issue as soon as possible, for it is only after resolving internal issues that it could potentially lead the nation,” he added.
Asked whether the DPP would change its campaign strategy if KMT Chairman Eric Chu （朱立倫） becomes a presidential nominee, Hsieh said that the DPP has been prepared to “fight a hard battle” since the beginning, adding that “there would only be progress when there is competition.”
When asked if he thinks it is appropriate for Chu to run in the presidential election while serving as mayor of New Taipei City, Hsieh said it should be left to the public to decide, but that he wished Chu all the best.
Former premier Yu Shyi-kun （游錫?） was more outspoken.
“Chu has been performing terribly, whether as a party chairperson or as a mayor, and the New Taipei City Government has been rated last in performance polls. Is he really a suitable candidate to serve as president?” Yu said.
Separately, DPP legislators Chen Ting-fei （陳亭妃） and Chen Chi-mai （陳其邁） accused Chu of threatening Hung and making secret arrangements to have her withdrawn from the campaign, adding that they have filed a complaint with the Ministry of Justice.
Chen Ting-fei said Minister of Justice Luo Ying-shay （羅瑩雪） on Tuesday said that the ministry would launch an investigation into possible irregularities, and thus, they would wait to see if the ministry would actually investigate the KMT’s alleged secret arrangements.
Citing comments Hung made in a news conference on Tuesday, saying that she would not accept any under-the-table arrangements and would not bow to pressure, Chen Ting-fei said such remarks might prove that there have been threats or inappropriate exchanges involved when Chu talked to Hung about her candidacy.
Saying that secret arrangements are against the law, Chen Chi-mai added that if Chu is involved, he would not be qualified to become a presidential candidate.
He said that as the KMT has been talking about changing its presidential candidate, it is involved in an act of fraud as it continues to collect donations for Hung on its Web site.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
