TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Hualien County Government has rehired former Department of Civil Affairs head Ming Liang-chen (明良臻), who resigned earlier this year after being accused of abusing his authority during a recall campaign targeting KMT caucus convener Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁).

Ming allegedly dispatched county officials to visit residents who had signed the petition during the second stage of the campaign to recall Fu, per Tai Sounds. He is a close political ally of Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei (徐榛蔚), Fu’s wife.

Prosecutors said Ming deleted cellphone messages related to the case and cited his influence over potential witnesses and co-defendants as grounds for requesting bail. He was released on NT$500,000 (US$16,396) bail in May and resigned from his post on May 15.

Despite the ongoing investigation, the county government defended the decision to rehire Ming as a senior secretary, noting that he has not been convicted of any crime and remains legally eligible for public service, per Tai Sounds.

DPP County Councilor Hu Jen-shun (胡仁順) criticized the rehiring, saying Ming stands accused of intimidating citizens who supported the recall and questioned why Hsu insisted on bringing him back despite an ample civil service workforce, per Liberty Times.

County Council Speaker Chang Chun (張峻) also criticized the move, pointing to what he described as a pattern of questionable appointments by the Hualien administration.

Locals who supported the recall campaign expressed frustration, noting that while Hsu may technically be within her rights, the decision to rehire Ming ignores the public’s perception, per Liberty Times. They pointed out that Ming has longstanding ties to Hsu, dating back to her time as a legislator, and added the appointment reflects political loyalty rather than public interest.