Behind the Scenes: Where is Lai Qingde's Trusted Ally Zheng Li-jun? DPP Insiders Criticize Cho Jung-tai's Handling of Toxic Oil Scandal

Almost a month has passed since the Chung Lien carcinogenic oil scandal first emerged, yet the crisis continues to escalate. Central authorities including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Executive Yuan remain under intense criticism. Although Executive Yuan Policy Advisor Chen Shih-chung convened a meeting with the six special municipality mayors on July 21 to discuss amendments to the Food Safety Act, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an criticized the government, stating that legislative reform and accountability are two separate issues. He emphasized that over three weeks since the scandal broke, the public still does not know the truth, and has called for protests on Ketagalan Boulevard. Ko Wen-je, chair of the Taiwan People's Party, added that public anger stems not only from the contaminated oil but also from the DPP government's apparent indifference, blame-shifting, and incompetence. Criticism is not limited to opposition parties. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), when asked on July 21 about the FDA's announcement allowing 19 batches of 'preventively recalled' oil products to return to shelves, responded that products should not be relisted without a full clarification of facts, sarcastically noting that people would get full just from watching items being repeatedly taken off and put back on shelves. Why are even DPP-affiliated county and city leaders expressing outrage over this oil scandal? What exactly has gone wrong with the central government and the Executive Yuan? And where is Zheng Li-jun, Vice Premier and trusted aide to President Lai Qingde, who is often called upon to manage crises for the Executive Yuan—why is she absent during this major crisis?