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Ma denies trying to
drive Wang from politics
TV INTERVIEW: The president said he never had a
plan to ‘eliminate’ the legislative speaker, but it was his duty to defend the
judicial system and Wang needed to resign
By Mo Yan-chih / Staff reporter
President Ma Ying-jeou speaks
during a press conference at Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) headquarters in
Taipei on Wednesday last week.
Photo: Mandy Cheng, AFP
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday
denied trying to eliminate Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) from politics
amid the recent rift in the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), and said his
efforts to handle Wang’s alleged improper lobbying were made in accordance with
the law.
In an interview with CtiTV (中天電視), Ma said there was no so-called “elimination
plan” targeting Wang, and he brushed aside concerns that Wang could collaborate
with the opposition to form a majority alliance in the legislature against the
KMT.
“I was never dissatisfied with Legislative Speaker Wang, or had any plans to
eliminate him… We will continue to promote policies during the lawsuit because
we must tell the difference between right and wrong,” Ma said.
He reiterated that it was unacceptable for a legislative speaker to be involved
in “illegal lobbying” and stayed firm on his stance that Wang should step down
from his post.
“If the judiciary could be gotten around, how can young people believe in the
justice of our judicial system?” he asked.
The interview was the first one Ma has given since the allegations were raised
against Wang. Insisting on judicial independence and justice, Ma said that it is
a president’s duty to defend the judicial system under his administration, and
said the KMT will continue with the lawsuit.
The KMT’s Central Evaluation and Discipline Committee decided on Wednesday last
week to revoke Wang’s party membership. Wang filed for a court injunction
against the party and the Taipei District Court agreed to allow him to retain
his KMT membership and rights until the case is settled by courts after he
submitted a guarantee of about NT$9.38 million (US$314,300). The KMT filed an
appeal.
When asked to comment about the KMT’s battle against Wang, Ma shrugged off
speculation that Wang could seek to form an alliance with some KMT lawmakers and
the opposition camp.
“I believe most KMT caucus members would understand that the KMT has been able
to hold the reins of the nation because of our election victories and because we
enjoy a majority in the legislature,” he said.
Ma has seen his support rate plummet to a new low following the party fracas. A
recent poll found just 9.2 percent of respondents approved of Ma, the first time
his rating has dipped to single-digits.
Ma yesterday said he has received positive responses over the past week,
including some editorials and letters from supporters.
First lady Chow Mei-ching (周美青), who is known for often being critical of her
husband, has also expressed her support, he said, while urging him to enhance
communication with the public over the incident.
Meanwhile, former KMT chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) voiced concerns about the
party’s unity.
He urged Ma to listen to different opinions, while declining to confirm whether
he would help mediate between the party and Wang.
“President Ma and Speaker Wang are key figures in the party, and we don’t want
to see either one get hurt… We understand President Ma’s effort to eliminate
‘illegal lobbying,’ but we also expect him to listen to others’ opinions,” he
said.
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