President Ma Ying-jeou appointed a new party secretary-general on Wednesday after last week’s local elections.

Large numbers of supporters did not come out and vote because they were disappointed with the government, Ma told the first regular weekly meeting of the KMT’s Central Standing Committee since the election.

“I must express my apology to supporters in my capacity as party chairman,” Ma said. “Our performance was not good enough so many supporters did not come out and vote.”

Ma emphasized the KMT should speed up reforms but at the same time also increase communicating with the public about any new policies. He added he hoped for the restoration of normal party-to-party relations with the opposition Democratic Progressive Party.

The KMT chairman defended disciplinary measures against breakaway candidates, though he admitted the splits cost the party many votes. Ma also apologized to the public for the numerous vote-buying incidents during the campaign. Prosecutors detained about 200 suspects, including a high number of KMT candidates, relatives and campaign officials. The party’s 12 county and city chiefs signed an anti-corruption declaration at the CSC meeting.

At a news conference after the discussions, a KMT spokesman announced the unexpected appointment of King Pu-tsung as the ruling party’s new secretary-general, replacing Chan Chuen-po. King served as Taipei City Government spokesman and vice mayor during part of the president’s two terms as mayor of the capital.

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