Health Minister to release 'Zhonglian Oil' expert meeting records amid opposition pressure

Taiwan's opposition parties, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), are intensifying their scrutiny of the "Zhonglian Oil" case, specifically targeting the conclusions and attendees of an expert meeting held on July 4th. Legislators from these parties have called for the public disclosure of the meeting's minutes.

In response to the pressure, Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang announced that the full record of the July 4th expert meeting would be made public today. He confirmed that the relevant materials had already been submitted to prosecutors for investigation, aiming to clarify the facts and address public concerns.

The controversy centers on allegations that regulatory bodies allegedly allowed substandard oil with less than 20% problematic components and that the state-owned Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) was aware of benzene levels exceeding safety limits sevenfold in its raw materials in May. Opposition lawmakers have accused the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Economic Affairs of shielding TSC and interpreting reporting obligations differently from judicial officials. They are demanding apologies from the ministers and accountability for responsible personnel.

“

The first case's distortion and accusations make me feel very heartbroken and regretful. Thank you to the committee members for the proposal; all meeting records will be released today.