Taiwan protest blunder: Woman blames state oil firm for toxic oil, sparks online ridicule

Tens of thousands of supporters of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party gathered on Ketagalan Boulevard to protest the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) response to a toxic oil scandal. The protest, held on July 25, saw a significant turnout, though estimates of the crowd size varied.

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CPC is the source.

While the KMT claimed over 200,000 attendees, AI analysis and experienced observers suggested the number was closer to 40,000. The scandal involves soybean oil produced by Zhonglian Oil, which was found to contain the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene. This contaminated oil was then sold to major manufacturers like Taishin, Fwusow, and Fwumo, eventually entering the market in various consumer products.

Adding to the controversy, a video clip from the protest went viral, showing a woman being interviewed about why she was there. When asked how to prevent the issue, she mistakenly stated that "CPC is the source." CPC, a state-owned petrochemical company, sells gasoline and diesel, leading to widespread online ridicule. Netizens jokingly questioned if she planned to cook with gasoline, highlighting the perceived lack of understanding among some protesters.

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CPC: What does it have to do with me?

The incident also fueled criticism of the opposition's strategy, with some suggesting they were shifting blame to the central government, which oversees CPC, rather than addressing local regulatory responsibilities or the specific companies involved in the oil contamination. The viral clip and subsequent online reactions underscored the public's skepticism about the protest's focus and the protesters' awareness of the actual issue.

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Excuse me auntie, does the food taste different when stir-fried with 92, 95, or 98 [octane gasoline]?