Lai told reporters after his meeting with Kuang that he did not feel uncomfortable about the comments as Kuang did not mention specific cases.

Reports said that currently over one hundred Taitung elected officials, including township chiefs, city and county councilors, and even former county chiefs and current deputy county chief Huang Fa-lou are being tried for corruption and vote buying.

County chief Kuang said that during her visits to local townships people have told her that human rights abuses by the judiciary have been rampant in recent years and that prosecutor Lai should take note of the people's sentiments.

However, Lai said that prosecutors are authorized by law to investigate criminal activities in order to maintain social justice.

The new chief prosecutor said that wherever the evidence goes, the investigation should follow, and that as long as the prosecutor investigates according to the law, Lai would not interfere.

Among the hundred plus elected officials who are facing criminal charges in Taitung, deputy county chief Huang Fa-lou is being held for receiving kickbacks from a construction contractor during his tenure as Taimali township chief.

Former county chief Chen Chien-nien is appealing a ruling that found him guilty of buying votes for his daughter during her campaign for legislator three years ago.

Former county chief Wu Chun-li is fighting an appeal by prosecutors against a ruling clearing Wu of vote buying two years ago.

Taitung District Prosecutors have also re-opened a case involving county councilor Tsai Lien-shou, who was cleared of corruption charges by the Taiwan High Court.