Taiwan Opposition Demands Premier's Resignation Over Food Safety Scandal

Taiwan's opposition parties are escalating their criticism of the ruling party, with calls for Premier Cho Jung-tai's resignation mounting ahead of a major street protest. The Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) held a press conference at the Legislative Yuan, joined by several city mayors, to voice their grievances, particularly concerning food safety.

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Chiang Wan-an's statements these past few days look like an angry rooster... as if Taiwanese people have worthless lives.

During the press conference, DPP caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung sharply criticized Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, likening his recent statements to an "angry rooster" and suggesting his call for public protest implied citizens' lives were worthless. He also questioned the qualifications of Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen to lead a protest, accusing her of using food safety issues as a "political ATM" rather than addressing them diligently.

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Mayor Lu, you are not qualified. Leading people to the streets is shirking responsibility, using food safety issues as a political ATM.

Chuang argued that local governments, including Taipei and Taichung, bear significant responsibility for food safety inspections and recalls under the Food Safety and Sanitation Act. He pointed out that while Taipei fined a company NT$3 million, and Taichung issued penalties to several oil producers, these actions alone were insufficient. The ruling party insists that local authorities must actively investigate and enforce regulations, rather than solely blaming the central government or using the crisis for political gain. The opposition, however, maintains that the government's response has been inadequate, fueling public discontent.

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According to the 'Food Safety and Sanitation Act,' the competent authorities for food safety and sanitation are local county and city governments. Mayor Chiang, you studied law, don't you know this? Therefore, food safety issues should not be entirely pushed to the central government; local governments should also be responsible for inspections, sampling, and recalls.