TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an urgently altered his schedule on Thursday (March 28) to attend a cabinet meeting. He reported the food poisoning case at the Malaysian restaurant Polam Kopitiam to Premier Chen Chien-jen, expressing hope for a joint effort between central and local governments to expedite the investigation.
The food safety scandal at Polam Kopitiam, located in the Far Eastern Department Store in Xinyi District, has caught the nation's attention. Approximately 12 people have fallen victim, with two fatalities and four others in intensive care.
A 39-year-old man died on March 24 after eating char kway teow, a stir-fried noodle dish at the restaurant on March 22. Another 66-year-old man, who ate the same dish on March 19, passed away the previous day due to multiple organ failure.
Upon receiving the first report of suspected food poisoning on March 24, Chiang immediately instructed the Department of Health, Taipei City Government, to investigate. He also ordered all Polam outlets in Taipei to cease operations and summoned the person in charge of Polam to the Taipei City Government on Thursday for an explanation.
Several people are still in intensive care, and the virus suspected of causing the food poisoning has not yet been identified. There are also issues related to liability compensation that require cooperation between the central and local governments. Chiang hopes for a joint effort to expedite the investigation and subsequent handling to ensure food safety for the public.