Taiwan politician urges calm after minister allegedly waves away reporter

Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an reportedly waved away a reporter who was attempting to question him about carcinogenic oil, sparking criticism from political figures.

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Reporters and citizens just want to know the source of the toxic oil. There's no need to get so angry.

The incident occurred when media outlets sought to interview Pan at a campaign event for a New Taipei mayoral candidate. When asked for his views on a planned protest against toxic oil, Pan allegedly made a gesture to dismiss the reporter.

Lee Chuan-chiu, a New Taipei mayoral candidate for the KMT, commented on the situation, stating that neither reporters nor citizens should be met with anger when they are simply seeking the truth about the source of the toxic oil. He urged Pan to remain calm, emphasizing that understanding the origin of the problematic oil is crucial for public safety.

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Whether it's reporters or citizens, as long as they want to know the truth, there's no need for such strong reactions.

Lee further criticized his opponent, the DPP's New Taipei mayoral candidate, for not adequately addressing the toxic oil issue. He argued that the public's frustration stems from the government's perceived failure to listen to citizens' concerns, and that transparency regarding the oil scandal is paramount.

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The public's dissatisfaction stems from the government not listening to their voices. My opponent should clarify the issue of toxic oil; that's the main point.