The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday announced it would punish two Central Standing Committee members for bribery ahead of the committee election.
The party rights of Yang Chi-hsiung (楊吉雄) and Chiang Da-lung (江達隆) were suspended by the KMT Evaluation and Disciplinary Committee following an investigation and their election revoked automatically.
Their seats will be filled by Lee De-wei (李德維), a member of the KMT’s youth corps, and KMT Legislator Tsai Chin-lung (蔡錦隆).
The disciplinary committee gathered to discuss the bribery investigation after KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) presided over the first meeting at party headquarters since taking over the chairmanship on Saturday.
The director of the party’s Disciplinary Committee, Juan Kang-meng (阮剛猛), said the investigation found solid evidence that Yang and Chiang had bribed party delegates with gifts.
“We found hard evidence in the cases of Yang and Chiang, and the disciplinary committee members agreed that the elected status of the two members should be revoked,” Juan said yesterday.
The gifts included wine, moon cakes and stationery, the investigation report said.
The KMT elected 32 committee members from 46 candidates on Oct. 11 amid accusations of bribery.
The influence of the committee, the highest decision-making body of the KMT, is expected to grow now that Ma has taken over the chairmanship.
Bribery allegations have clouded almost every Central Standing Committee election, but this is the first time the party has taken action.
The action follows Ma’s pledge to clean up the KMT and tackle election bribery at his inauguration speech.
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