KMT Legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh Challenges Lai Qingde Over Taisugar Chairman Wu Ming-chang's 'Trust' Background: Will You Risk All of Taiwan's Health to Protect Him?

A carcinogenic oil scandal involving Zhonglian Oils has triggered a food safety crisis. In May, Taisugar detected benzopyrene levels exceeding safety standards in a batch of crude oil and rejected the shipment. However, Zhonglian continued to conceal the issue, while Taisugar faced strong criticism from the Kuomintang (KMT) for failing to proactively report the incident. Taisugar Chairman Wu Ming-chang emphasized that, legally, there is no obligation to report raw materials. He stated that the rejected batch could not be used as edible oil but might be repurposed for industrial products—a matter for Zhonglian Oils to resolve.

In response, KMT legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh criticized President Lai Qingde, recalling how Lai once staked his political career on defending Wu Nairen. 'Now, will you again risk all of Taiwan's health to protect Wu Ming-chang?' Hsieh posted on Facebook that Wu Ming-chang served as Executive Director of the Pingtung 'Friends of Trust' Association, personally appointed by Lai during his presidential campaign. Because Wu is one of Lai's 'king's men,' Hsieh accused the DPP government of collectively acting as gatekeepers, sacrificing the health of all Taiwanese people to protect their own.

Hsieh accused the DPP of treating state-owned enterprises as tools for political patronage. He pointed out that Lai's political mentor, Wu Nairen, was detained for embezzling NT$170 million from Taisugar but was released after only 12 days when Taisugar withdrew its enforcement petition—without requiring repayment. 'This was a precisely orchestrated arrangement: first, place a loyalist like Wu Ming-chang in charge of Taisugar, then have insiders restructure the debt. No wonder the public condemns the DPP for putting interests at the center and Taisugar's creditor rights on the side.'

Hsieh criticized Taisugar for concealing the discovery of carcinogens nearly seven times above the limit in May. The Ministry of Economic Affairs claimed it was like 'finding rotten vegetable leaves at a market' and that there was no reporting obligation. However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that while Taisugar had no reporting duty, the Food Safety Act clearly requires raw materials to be tested. Hsieh questioned: 'Is the president's reputation more important than public health? Is Wu Ming-chang's position more valuable than the credibility of public authority?'

Hsieh urged President Lai: 'You once staked your political life on defending Wu Nairen. Now, will you risk all of Taiwan's health to protect Wu Ming-chang? Stop hiding—step forward immediately and give the people an explanation!'