Parties, media in Taiwan call for justice for fraud victims

TAIPEI -- Political parties and media outlets in Taiwan have denounced telecom fraud and said the suspects must be brought to justice, after Taiwan police on Saturday released 20 fraud suspects who were deported from Malaysia.

The Kuomintang (KMT) on Saturday released a statement saying that the party was concerned about the harm born by the victims and the negative impact the fraudsters' actions have had on the image of the island.

The party called for a joint denouncement of the criminals and called for justice to be served.

Hung Hsiu-chu, the newly-elected chair of the KMT, warned that Taiwan should avoid becoming known as an "exporter of fraud rings."

Taiwan police on Saturday released 20 fraud suspects who had been deported from Malaysia Friday evening, citing a lack of evidence. They were among 52 people from Taiwan arrested in Malaysia for suspected telecommunication fraud.

Taiwan's New Party said the immediate release of the fraud suspects at the airport triggered public outcry from both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. The prevalence of fraud rings in Taiwan have harmed numerous innocent people across the Strait, it said, adding the general public in Taiwan were outraged by the light punishment and what appeared to be the condoning of criminal activity.

An article carried by Taiwan's Want Daily newspaper said Taiwan's handling of the fraud suspects rubbed salt into the wounds of the victim, making the island synonymous with the title: "a heaven for fraudsters."

Netizens in Taiwan also condemned the crimes and called for penalties for any law breakers.