Mayor Lu Shiow-yen dodges cancer oil questions with silence and glare, reporters stunned

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen drew sharp criticism for her reaction when pressed by reporters about her administration's handling of potentially carcinogenic oil. As a scandal involving "Zhonglian" brand oil and the presence of the carcinogen benzene pyrene (BaP) escalates, Lu's response to questioning has been widely condemned.

Political commentator Zhou Xuan shared footage of reporters attempting to question Lu, who was attending a hunger strike event supporting a junior party member. Journalists repeatedly asked about the city government's record of testing Zhonglian oil during her eight-year tenure, specifically noting that the single test conducted reportedly excluded the analysis for BaP. Lu remained silent, attempting to quickly leave the scene with a visibly displeased expression. When reporters persisted, she reportedly turned and glared at them before departing in her vehicle.

“

What does that mean?

The incident has fueled public outrage, with online commenters accusing Lu of arrogance and evasion. Critics, including political commentator Wen Lang-tung, have alleged that the Taichung city government concealed public information and provided falsified data to the Ministry of Health and Welfare regarding oil inspections. These accusations center on the claim that the city conducted only one test on Zhonglian oil over eight years, and that this test notably omitted the analysis for BaP, a known carcinogen.

Online reactions have been harsh, with netizens comparing Lu's behavior to that of other politicians and questioning her suitability for higher office. Many expressed disbelief at her refusal to answer questions, with some calling her response "outrageous" and "unbelievable." The controversy has intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability in the city's food safety oversight.

“

This is outrageous! It's unbelievable!