Taipei Mayor Criticized Online After Joining Anti-Toxic Oil Protest Discussion

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an found himself under fire from netizens after liking and commenting on a Facebook post by Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen. The post announced Lu's participation in a protest against "toxic oil" scheduled for July 25th on Ketagalan Boulevard. Chiang's comment, expressing his own intent to join the protest against "forced consumption of toxic oil," quickly drew sharp criticism from users on Lu's post.

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I'm being forced to eat toxic oil! Forced to take to the streets! Next Saturday, Mayor Lu and we will go to Ketagalan Boulevard to let Lai Ching-te hear the people's demands.

The online backlash focused heavily on Chiang's attendance record at food safety meetings. Netizens pointed out that he had missed 11 out of 15 such meetings, with some accusing him of being absent from 73% of them. Critics questioned his credibility and right to join a food safety protest, especially in light of the deadly "Baolun tea house" food poisoning incident, which resulted in six deaths. Some commenters sarcastically noted his promptness to protest while allegedly neglecting his duties in official meetings.

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6 people died at Baolun tea house, and you are still on stage?

Further criticism targeted Chiang's perceived inaction regarding food safety issues within his own jurisdiction. Some netizens suggested that if the oil factory's issues were indeed the problem, the protest should be directed towards Taichung, where the factory is located, rather than Taipei. The online comments questioned his qualifications to speak on food safety, given his meeting attendance record and the severity of the Baolun incident. The exchange highlights a significant public outcry and scrutiny over food safety governance in Taiwan.

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You were absent from 11 out of 15 food safety meetings, how dare you?