Kaohsiung: A Kaohsiung-based legislator spoke out late Monday to quell a wave of internet wrath, after netizens apparently confused him with a Taipei City councilor of the same name who was accused of an angry outburst at a hospital.
According to Focus Taiwan, social media posts over the weekend accused Taipei City Councilor Lee Po-yi of shouting at and threatening to sue an emergency room doctor while accompanying a family member for treatment. On Monday, Lee acknowledged that he had been "anxious and upset" about a long wait and the care his infant daughter received in a hospital's emergency room.
Lee, a member of the Kuomintang (KMT), admitted to having a "loud discussion" with the attending physician but denied claims of cursing or seeking special treatment due to his government position. Following the incident's circulation, many netizens mistakenly directed their anger at another Lee Po-yi, a Kaohsiung-based legislator from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Late Monday evening, the legislator used the social media site Threads to address the confusion, urging users to verify identities before making assumptions. He emphasized that "while there's just one truth, there's more than one Po-yi in politics, so please 'check the brand' before you attack."
The lawmaker also responded to news and video clips featuring his name-twin's actions by reminding those who tagged or messaged him that "this Po-yi is not that Po-yi." He advised individuals intending to leave negative reviews for Lee Po-yi's office to ensure they target the correct office, highlighting the geographical distance between Kaohsiung and Taipei.