Kuomintang not to appeal court ruling

The Kuomintang (KMT) will not file a counter-appeal after the Taiwan High Court upheld a ruling against the party's decision to expel the head of Taiwan's legislative body over a political scandal.

The decision was made after Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou consulted people from all walks of life on the injunction of Wang Jin-pyng whose party membership was revoked after a disciplinary meeting Sep 11 for his alleged involvement in lobbying scandal, Xinhua reported citing KMT spokesman Yin Wei.

A local court in Taipei ruled Sep 13 that Wang could maintain his rights as a KMT member until the final ruling on condition that he paid New Taiwan $9.38 million (about $315,000) as a collateral deposit.

The KMT filed the counter-appeal when the high court's decision Sep 30 allowed the beleaguered legislator to continue to hold his top legislative position.

Ma decided not to file further appeals against the injunction because Wang has already filed a civil lawsuit regarding the status of his KMT membership, and the approved injunction was only part of the process, Yin said Saturday.

It would depend on the court's verdict on the lawsuit itself to determine whether Wang's KMT membership was valid or not, Yin said.