Opposition party leaders and scholars continued criticizing Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian after he said he would cede powers amid scandals, according to reports from Taipei.

Chen announced to "clarify himself," "conduct reformation" and "ceding powers" at a meeting on Wednesday, promising he himself and his family members would "conduct themselves according to the highest ethical standards."

Chen would retain the powers granted by the "constitution," and hand over all other Party and administrative powers to other officials, according to Chen's announcement.

Many opposition party leaders and scholars said Chen was forced to sede powers but still he had to take responsibility for a series of scandals embroiling his family and administration.

Kuomintang (KMT) Party chairman Ma ying-jeou said it is not bad for Chen to try to "clarify himself," but he has to make it clear whether he and his wife were aware of or involved in the scandals.

Chang Hsien-yao, director of Taiwan's opposition People First Party's (PFP) policy research center, said that Chen's move was a result of power struggle within his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

PFP will resolutely oppose Chen and continue to call for his resignation, Chang said, and all the scandals should be tried by the public.

Some Taiwan scholars believed that Chen is definitely a "lame duck" now, so long as he fails to clear himself from those scandals, public trust in the DPP will continue falling.

Last Thursday, Chen's son-in-law was detained on suspicion of insider trading of shares of a government-owned property company. Earlier the opposition had accused Chen's wife of other financial wrongdoings.

Source: Xinhua