TAIPEI: Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou yesterday swore in his long-time trusted adviser as secretary-general of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party, a move widely seen as an attempt by Ma to gear up for reelection in 2012.

King Pu-tsung, considered the brains behind Ma's successful presidential campaign that helped him get elected in 2008, flew back to Taiwan yesterday, cutting short his visiting scholar post in the United States, and was sworn in almost immediately as the KMT's new secretary general.

He gave few clues about what his top priorities are on his first day on the job, but promised "less talk and more action" and to carry out various party reform plans that are underway.

"My job is the (KMT's) chief executive officer, therefore I am the one to be held accountable if things fail," King said in the first press conference he gave after assuming office.

His main tasks now are believed to be helping the ruling party win four upcoming elections in the next 12 months, reversing the party's long standing culture of vote-buying and handling its assets.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 12/17/2009 page2)