Taiwan abuzz over incident
(NST) – News of murder-cum-kidnap of its citizens in Sabah goes viral in print and social media
SHAH ALAM: THE print and social media in Taiwan are abuzz with news of the murder-cum-kidnapping of two Taiwanese tourists on Pulau Pom Pom, off Semporna, Sabah, which has grabbed national attention in the republic.
The country’s national daily, Ping Guo Ri Bao, front-paged the report yesterday, while other national newspapers, such as The China Times, Liberty Times and United Daily News, as well as local papers The China Post and Upaper, provided coverage of the incident.
Through its online news portal, The China Post reported that Taiwanese officials were monitoring the latest developments on the incident with local authorities.
Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said it would offer the necessary assistance to the victims’ family to help them deal with the tragedy.
The ministry issued an “orange warning” for Sabah, the second highest in Taiwan’s four-colour tourism advisory system, immediately following the incident.
Taipei Times, Focus Taiwan news channel, Taiwan Sun and The China Times reported that the ministry urged the public to avoid travelling to the area, unless it was necessary.
Taiwan News reported that police continued to gather information from other tourists at the resort, who reportedly had not left the island and would continue with their vacation plans.
Hung Chi-Wei, 25, from Taoyuan, Taiwan, said he read about the incident in Ping Guo Ri Bao yesterday.
“When I read the news, I texted my Malaysian friends in a group chat immediately.”
He said he also discussed the story with his friends in Taiwan.
Concerned about the safety of the region, Hung said he would not be visiting Sabah for the time being.
Similarly stunned, Taiwanese Chung Yi Ping, 25, who works in Taipei, said yesterday she found out about the incident from a local newspaper distributed at MRT stations.
“It is big news here that our citizen was killed overseas.”
She said she would be looking out for more information on the incident from television reports.
TVBS news, a satellite cable television news channel in Taiwan, also reported on the tragedy.
It informed viewers that it was unclear whether An Wei Chang, 58, the woman believed to be kidnapped, was still alive.
The channel also reported that Taiwan forces were too far away to save the victim.
