TAIWAN leader Ma Ying-jeou announced yesterday he will step down as chairman of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party, taking responsibility for the party’s poor showing in recent local elections.

    Ma will submit his official resignation at a meeting of the KMT Central Standing Committee today.

    The leader said that, as the KMT chairman, he would like to shoulder the responsibility for the party’s “unprecedented heavy defeat” in the elections held Saturday.

    “I need to apologize to all the supporters and those devoted to the establishment of the party for letting them down, and I must make profound reflection on the losses,” said Ma, adding he will again make an apology to all party members with a bow at today’s meeting.

    The party should stay calm and strengthen solidarity, he said, urging all members to keep their faith and values.

    The KMT secured only one of the six key municipalities and kept five of the 16 cities and counties — in sharp contrast to its previous election showing when it won four municipalities and 11 cities and counties.

    (Xinhua)