announced Wednesday it will sell the last of the party's most controversial assets - the Central Investment Holding Co. - by the end of next June to resolve the contentious party asset issue and restructure itself into an 'election machine.' However, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) remained skeptical of the KMT's sincerity, saying that many KMT chairmen have promised to resolve the party asset problem during their term, 'but so far we have seen no improvement.' The following is a digest of some local media reports on the issue: China Times: The KMT failed in its two previous attempts to sell Central Investment Holding Co., in 2006 and in February this year. The company has a net worth of NT$22.9 billion and is the last of the party's most contentious assets, following the sale of its policy research institute complex, three media outlets and its former headquarters building. KMT Secretary-General King Pu-tsung stressed at a news conference that in the future, the KMT's funding will come from membership fees, fund raising and government subsidies for political parties, but he would not promise that funds from the sale of Central Investment will not be used to help bankroll the campaigns of KMT candidates in next year's special municipality elections. Lin Yong-jui, head of the KMT's administration and management department, said on the same occasion that the party will not appeal if Broadcasting Corp. of China (BCC) loses the third trial over its two plots of land in Banciao, Taipei County and in Hualien County. The previous DPP administration sued BCC for occupying six plots of government- owned land as part of its efforts to return the KMT's 'stolen' assets to the public. BCC won the second trial. United Daily News: Speaking at the KMT Central Standing Committee's weekly meeting, President Ma Ying-jeou, in his capacity as KMT chairman, reiterated his determination to resolve the party asset issue. 'Dealing with the issue is part of our party's determination to transform itself, ' Ma said, adding that he hopes the company can fetch a good price as Taiwan's economy has shown signs of a turnaround from its yearlong slump. (Dec. 31, 2009) Liberty Times: The DPP said the KMT's plan to sell its 'stolen' assets is unacceptable. 'The KMT's assets were stolen from the country. What the people of Taiwan want to see is the party return those assets to the national coffers. The party should do so to uphold the principles of justice and fairness,' the DPP said in a statement. (Dec. 31, 2009) 