new head of the National Immigration Agency Chiu Feng-kuang (right) and Interior Minister Hsu Kuo-yung (center)
Taipei, Dec. 28 (CNA) The Cabinet has approved National Police Agency Deputy Director-General Chiu Feng-kuang as the new head of the National Immigration Agency (NIA) after the NIA chief was removed from the position for reportedly misappropriating funds.
Both the Cabinet and the Ministry of the Interior announced the promotion on Friday, with a takeover ceremony taking place at 4:30 p.m. at the agency's headquarters.
In a statement released by the ministry, Interior Minister Hsu Kuo-yung praised Chiu, who has served in the law enforcement arena for nearly four decades, for his contributions to keeping society safe.
Hsu expected that with Chiu in charge, the NIA will continue to safeguard the country's borders and security, respect all cultures and protect the human rights of migrants.
Chiu, who was born in 1955, graduated from Central Police University and later received a master's degree in criminology from National Taipei University. He has headed police departments in Hsinchu City, Taichung, Keelung City, and Taipei.
The position Chiu took over was left vacant by Jeff Yang on Dec. 12 when he was transferred to the position of senior counselor at the NIA after his alleged misconduct was found to have damaged the image of the government and gave the public a negative impression of public officials.
A report by Mirror Media in mid-December said Yang claimed two trips he took with his wife to southern Taiwan in October and November were for official business when they were primarily personal in nature.
The report said Yang asked for reimbursement of his expenses on the trip by claiming they were business expenses.
Yang has denied the allegations and is now under investigation.
