RASH ACT: The DPP says the incident (above) shows how the KMT may abuse its power if the party rules the island again. DPP lawmakers yesterday covered their mouths in protest against a KMT-dominated legislature which they say is a return to one-party rule. -- PHOTO: AFP, REUTERS

View more photos

Scrambling to contain the fallout from the clash, one of the KMT lawmakers resigned from the party yesterday. The party suspended the membership rights of the other three.

With the election just a week away, there were grave concerns within the KMT that Mr Ma's lead in the race could be eroded by the rash move of the lawmakers - who were seen as the provocateurs.

Mr Ma, who had earlier expressed regret over the incident, yesterday called a press conference to formally apologise to his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) opponent.

Even before he spoke, he took two deep bows to convey his regret.

'I hereby extend my sincere apology once again to Mr Frank Hsieh, his aides and supporters. I also apologise to the Taiwanese people for the chaos,' he said.

'If I am elected, I would make sure that all KMT officials fulfil the public's expectations by holding themselves against the highest moral standards,' said the KMT flagbearer who bowed at least six times throughout the press conference.

Major scuffles broke out outside Mr Hsieh's campaign headquarters on Wednesday after hundreds of angry DPP supporters tried to stop police officers from whisking the KMT lawmakers away from the scene.

The KMT lawmakers claimed that they were investigating allegations that a partially government-owned bank had leased the premises to Mr Hsieh below market rates.

KMT legislative caucus whip Alex Fai, one of the lawmakers involved in the melee, announced yesterday that he would quit the party.

'I will not exclude the possibility of ending my own life', if the incident costs Mr Ma his presidential victory, said a distraught Mr Fai.

Mr Hsieh has denounced the incident as a telling sign of the 'arrogance of power'. He has tried to evoke fears of a return to one-party rule should the KMT, who already controls the parliament, clinch the presidency.

Mr Hsieh last night also questioned Mr Ma's ability to rein in KMT lawmakers.

'I don't blame him because he can't control his lawmakers,' said Mr Hsieh, his voice laden with sarcasm.

Observers say the DPP is hoping to extract maximum political mileage from what some described as a 'godsend' for the ruling party.

The DPP has been struggling to rally voters disappointed with its dismal governance record over the past eight years.

'The incident could prove to be an effective rallying point, especially for DPP's traditional supporters,' said political analyst Emile Sheng.

While observers agree that the ugly brawl could cost the KMT votes, they believe it is unlikely to drastically swing the outcome.

'Election day is still a week, and the impact of the incident could gradually fizzle out by then,' Professor Sheng told The Straits Times.

Mr Hsieh last night stepped up his verbal attack on Mr Ma on another issue - his loyalty to Taiwan.

He said he will withdraw from the March 22 election if Mr Ma can produce proof that he has no permanent resident status in the US.

'If Mr Ma can show evidence that his permanent residence status in the United States has lapsed, I will apologise and withdraw from the race,' he said.

Mr Ma has said that an application he filed for a US nonimmigrant visa in the 1980s already constitutes automatic cancellation of his green card.

hwee@sph.com.sg

GOOD CONDUCT VOW

'I hereby extend my sincere apology once again to Mr Frank Hsieh, his aides and supporters. I also apologise to the Taiwanese people for the chaos. If I am elected, I will make sure that all KMT officials and lawmakers conduct themselves with the highest moral standards...to fulfil public expectations.'

KMT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MA YING-JEOU, apologising for a melee that broke out when four KMT lawmakers barged into Mr Hsieh's campaign office

PREVENTING POWER ABUSE

'I am glad that the KMT has apologised. This would help to restore social stability. But good will or verbal promises are no guarantee against the abuse of power. This can be prevented only by a democratic system of checks and balances.'

DPP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FRANK HSIEH