Opinion: Lack of Transparency Leads to Toxic Oil Chaos

The progress of a country is absolutely measured by the transparency of information, but our country is facing such a predicament. Due to the lack of transparency, and even the intentional 'cover-up' by the municipal government, the toxic oil incident continues to escalate. Even though the relevant personnel of the oil refinery have been detained, after the manager of Chung-Liang Oil, Chen Ming-Rong, was re-detained, the reason for the detention was unexpectedly revealed. Chung-Liang had received a notice from Taiwan Sugar Corporation in May that the raw oil in the 311 oil tank contained excessive levels of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), yet they chose to cover it up, causing citizens to consume the contaminated oil. This absurd 'toothpaste-squeezing' incident is the main cause of the toxic oil chaos. Over the past month, what we find most unacceptable is the government's attitude. From the beginning, they have intentionally covered up information, refused to disclose meeting records, and only issued clarifications after small and large incidents were exposed. All of this demonstrates their lack of professionalism and their despicable actions to protect their positions, leaving us thoroughly disappointed. Now, we no longer demand their resignation, for 'there is no greater sorrow than a dead heart.' Their attachment to power is a fact, and even if they resign now, it will not increase our trust in the government. What we hope for is that, regardless of who is in power, they will fully transparentize information instead of selectively releasing it. After all, this is the best way to solve the toxic oil incident. Especially now, even the Food Safety National Affairs Conference is being ignored. If relevant information continues to be selectively released, it further shows that the government is disregarding the safety of citizens' lives. This attitude will only give opportunistic manufacturers more room to operate, and citizens' rights will be sacrificed without cause. More importantly, we have media that act as the government's megaphone, not providing objective reporting and analysis. With the addition of malicious attacks from the sidelines, it is even harder for the correct information to emerge. Especially when information unfavorable to the administration appears, it is immediately covered by negative information. Instead of reflecting on their own problems, the only thing they do is divert attention and solve the problem by attacking those who raise the issue. Every day, we see such information, but the government is doing nothing, and may even be the hidden puppeteer. Can we not feel helpless? Perhaps the only thing we can do is wait, as the negative impact of the government's improper actions will persist and expand. The only thing we can do is, through election after election, gradually eliminate unqualified candidates or parties, so that Taiwan's democratic politics can have the opportunity to return to the right track. Democracy is not perfect, and elections may not directly reflect the anger of the people, but as long as we have the patience to wait, justice will eventually prevail, and this is the main spirit of democratic politics.