Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday he will issue an open letter on Saturday asking the island's "president" Chen Shui-bian to step down for alleged corruption.

Ma's letter will coincide with the start of a protest headed by Shih Ming-teh, former chairman of Chen's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), to oust the scandal-tainted leader, according to Taiwan media reports.

His open letter will be advertised in major newspapers of Taiwan on Saturday, the reports said.

At a meeting in Taipei, Ma said he will personally support the campaign launched by Shih to ensure the DPP cannot divert public attention from the anti-corruption drive.

Ma, also mayor of Taipei, told reporters that a leader should not be allowed to stay on when corruption has become so serious. He stressed that he will call on DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun and Taiwan "premier" Su Tseng-chang to state clearly their stances on the issue.

Both Yu and Su as well as the DPP oppose the anti-Chen campaign.

Ma, who had been widely criticized for his ambiguous attitude on the anti-Chen bid, said he will go to the protest site on Saturday to show his support.

His high-profile move came days before Shih starts the indefinite round-the-clock sit-in protest on Saturday in front of Chen's "presidential palace."

Shih has secured the endorsement of more than 1 million people for his "anti-graft, anti-greed" campaign.

Chen said he heard the voices of the protesters but pledged to stay in office.

"Different political ideas should be solved through the constitutional system and any corruption allegations through judicial investigation," he said in a speech on Sunday before departing for Palau.

"Any violation of the law, any attempt to make trouble or any attempt to challenge the government's authority will not be allowed."

In June, Chen survived an unprecedented recall motion launched by the KMT and People First Party in "parliament." His troubles began in May after his son-in-law Chao Chien-ming was detained on suspicion of insider trading and taking bribes.

(China Daily 09/05/2006 page2)