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TAIPEI : Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered a setback as Finance Minister Ho Jee-chin resigned on Thursday morning after a fight at the DPP's campaign headquarters.
The altercation broke out on Wednesday night when three opposition party Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers went to the DPP's campaign headquarters. They were there to check up on possible illegal campaign contributions made by Taiwan's First Commercial Bank to the DPP.
During the showdown, DPP supporters beat up the KMT lawmakers. Their car was smashed and one KMT lawmaker, Fey Hong Tai, suffered light wounds to the head. He was sent to a nearby hospital.
Finance Minister Ho Jee-chin was not personally involved in the incident, but he said he was taking responsibility for not overseeing the contributions of First Commercial Bank to the DPP.
"I have resigned my post as finance minister this morning. Premier Chang approved. I thought about it the whole night and told my decision to the premier. I felt unease about causing trouble to the society," said Finance Minister Ho.
The three KMT lawmakers have apologised for their actions on Wednesday night.
"DPP need not elaborate on this issue. This is a public issue. Please be honest and allow the probe into the finances to continue. Let the public decide," said KMT presidential candidate Ma Ying Jeou.
With just nine days to go before the presidential election, both the ruling DPP and opposition KMT are going all out to win support. This latest incident is just an indication of the growing tension as polling day draws nearer. - CNA /ls
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