Mayor Accused of Lying Over Carcinogenic Oil Scandal

A prominent youth association chairman has sharply criticized Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, accusing her of making "disgusting political maneuvers" and "lying with her eyes open" over the ongoing carcinogenic oil scandal involving Zhonglian Oil.

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If the central government 'pressured you not to investigate the factory,' then who was it that went to investigate with your city government on July 1? Is Mayor Lu seeing ghosts?

Zhang Yumeng, chairman of the Taiwan Youth Generation Association for Common Prosperity, refuted Lu's claims that the central government pressured local authorities to suppress investigations into the factory. Zhang asserted that upon receiving notification on June 30, central health authorities, specifically the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), immediately collaborated with the Taichung City Government to inspect the factory on July 1. He presented photographic evidence showing both FDA and city officials present during the inspection.

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Is it a dream or what?

"If the central government 'pressured you not to investigate the factory,' then who was it that went to investigate with your city government on July 1?" Zhang questioned, directly challenging Lu's narrative. He further pointed out that Taichung's Deputy Mayor Huang Kuo-jung had personally reported the central government's data, which originates from local governments, during an executive meeting. This data was then cross-referenced by the FDA to establish a public database of problematic oil products.

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Facing food safety issues must be held to the highest standard, but lying is not allowed. People are naturally nervous and worried when they worry about the food they eat. But if other cities make random accusations, that's one thing. Lu Shiow-yen is the least qualified to pretend to be ignorant and lie.

Zhang detailed the timeline of actions taken by the central government, including issuing a recall order on July 2, expanding the list of affected products on July 4, and mandating a complete recall of Zhonglian Oil products from April to mid-June on July 9. He emphasized that while food safety demands the highest standards, fabricating information is unacceptable. Zhang accused Lu of exploiting public anxiety for political gain, calling her actions "utterly disgusting."

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Lu Shiow-yen, knowing full well that the central government rushed to Taichung to investigate the factory as soon as it was notified and even involved the Taichung City Government, still insisted on lying with her eyes open, solely to use the public's panic to elevate her own political gains. This is utterly disgusting politicking.