Mayors' Toxic Oil Protest Criticized as Political Farce

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen are set to lead a protest on Ketagalan Boulevard on July 25th against a toxic oil scandal. However, author Jaw Shaw-kong has sharply criticized their decision to organize the demonstration, questioning their priorities and the political implications of the event.

Jaw argues that as mayors, Chiang and Lu possess significant administrative and investigative powers. Instead of directly ordering thorough investigations into the manufacturers, they are choosing to abandon their municipal duties to participate in an overnight vigil and relay hunger strike. Jaw contends that this move is perceived by many, including those outside the blue-green political divide, as a political stunt rather than a genuine effort to address the food safety issue.

The author further analyzes the situation, pointing out that even within their own party, figures like Hou Yu-ih and Chang San-cheng are keeping their distance, while Jaw Chi-chen has remained conspicuously absent. Jaw believes that this protest, initiated partly due to political maneuvering by politician Cheng Li-wen, will not only fail to resolve the crisis but will also lead to significant losses for the Kuomintang (KMT) party across various levels and policy areas.

Jaw characterizes the planned protest as a "political farce" that will become a laughingstock. She criticizes the KMT's approach, suggesting it reflects an inability to solve practical problems and a focus on political confrontation, which alienates centrist voters. The author also highlights the potential damage to Lu Shiow-yen's image as a pragmatic "mother mayor" and her political ambitions, especially given that Taichung is the location of one of the implicated companies. The protest's perceived ineffectiveness and strategic missteps are seen as detrimental to both Chiang and Lu's political standing.