Former premier just cannot seem to shake his past

"Although he's busy, he often calls up those officials who are in charge of a specific task to have a better understanding of the matter," Wu said.

Chang is not the kind of person who has a haughty manner, she said.

"I feel as if I can tell him everything. He not only often encourages me to do so but also makes me feel perfectly comfortably doing so."

DPP lawmaker Lee Chun-yee (李俊毅), who has been attending a Presbyterian church with Chang for more than 20 years, described Chang as a trustworthy, serene but stubborn individual.

"He sure knows his own mind, but he's also open-minded," Lee said.

Commenting on Chang's divorce fracas, Lee said that he believes Chang did not expect to see so much criticism.

"I don't think he's that stupid to want to cause so much controversy," Lee said.

Lee added that he will endorse Chang's nomination if the president names Chang to head the Examination Yuan.

"A leader of the party's Welfare State Alliance (福利國) faction and an amiable person, he definitely has a lot to offer, especially when the presidential election is drawing near," he said.