KMT sours to former police head

Former Taoyuan County commissioner Liu Pang-you (劉邦友) and seven others were assassinated at Liu's home in November 1996; the DPP women's affairs department chief and a women's rights activist Peng Wan-ru (彭婉如) was raped and killed in December, 1996; and Pai Hsiao-yen (白曉燕), the 17-year-old daughter of a TV celebrity, was kidnapped and murdered in April 1997.

Yao then served as an adviser to the Executive Yuan before being tapped by then premier Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) in February 2000 to take on the job as the director of the newly established Coast Guard Administration.

Along with other Cabinet-level officials, Yao turned over his post in March 2000 when Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) won the presidency.

Last December, Yao unsuccessfully ran for a legislative seat.

Although Chinese-language media have reported the possibility that Hsieh might invite Yao to join his Kaohsiung administrative team, Hsieh said that he has never talked about such issues with Yao.

"As long as a person is talented, I am open to any recommendations," Hsieh said on Saturday. "Regardless of my party affiliation, I welcome talented people with good character who are willing to be public servants."