Taipei, Feb. 2 (CNA) The ruling Kuomintang's (KMT's) latest hire of a human resource expert shows its Secretary-General King Pu-tsung's determination to reform the century-old party despite mixed responses to his decision across party lines, scholars said.
King confirmed Saturday that Ryan Wu, former executive vice president of the online 1111 job bank, has been hired to help plan KMT human resource initiatives. Wu will work as a personnel project manager in the party's Administration Committee on a one-year contract.
"This is a move that aims to bring a breath of fresh air into the KMT's rigid system and transform its image into that of 'youth-friendly' party, " said Liao Da-chi, a political scientist at National Sun Yet-sen University.
King's first major hire since he assumed office last December drew attention because of the timing and Wu's controversial past. King, however, brushed off the criticisms from some quarters, and said he hired Wu for his expertise.
The appointment came in the wake of King's pledge to reform the KMT in three years and turn the party into an election machine. Since last year, the KMT has suffered three straight setbacks in two by-elections and a mayoral election, and many of the party's employees have expressed fears about losing their jobs.
Post-election analysis suggested that the KMT needs more young talent at the local level to boost its appeal to young people.
Wu, 43, worked as a media relations chief at the Taipei City Department of Labor in 2001 when King was deputy mayor. However, his appointment to the party post came as a surprise as he has had little connection to the KMT and is seen as an "outsider".
Several KMT legislators have spoken against the appointment. Legislator Lu Hsueh-Chang said that while it's a good thing to bring in "corporate management, " Wu is not familiar with the way party affairs are run, which could be dangerous. Some KMT legislators have claimed that they do not know Wu.
"It seems to me King is trying to use outside resources to carry out his reform, working his way in from the outside rather than taking the 'inside-out approach', " said Hsu Yung-ming, a political scientist at Soochow University.
Wu's appointment could be the "turning point" for the KMT, which now has little or no appeal for young people because of all its old politicians, Liao said.
"In addition to having a human resource background, Wu is media-savvy and outgoing. That can be a plus for the party. And he has been hired on a one-year contract. If he does not deliver, he can be let go. The KMT has nothing to lose," Liao asserted.
Meanwhile, opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Huang Wei-cher was quoted as saying that Wu's appointment was "a brilliant tactic because, as an outsider, Wu carries no baggage and can do what he wants based on his own assessment."
For a party with 106 years of history, a full-scale reform will be difficult, Liao said. That is why King is giving priority to party image and communication before restructuring, the scholar added.
King's main options now are to create a new image for the party and build a human resource pool so that the young generation can step in when the current generation fades away, Liao said.
"I also think it would be better if King avoided any action that involved local party factions, as it is one of the most complicated factors related to party reform," she said.
According to Liao, King's short-term goal would be winning the next two elections -- a by-election involving four legislative seats in late February and the elections in five special municipalities later this year.