Taipei: Lawmakers from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) on Monday announced their plans to initiate a campaign for a referendum proposing caning as a punishment for individuals convicted of significant offenses, including large-scale fraud, child abuse, and sexual assault. At a press conference, seven KMT lawmakers, led by Hung Meng-kai, introduced the “caning referendum” proposal, which reportedly has the backing of all 52 members of the KMT legislative caucus.

According to Focus Taiwan, Hung stated that the referendum is intended to involve the citizens of Taiwan in the formulation of significant policies and to assess public support for more effective and proactive crime deterrents and punishments. He emphasized the necessity of holding a referendum to gather public opinion before proceeding with legislation, especially as the Cabinet has recently declined to sign and enforce several legislature-passed bills.

Hung asserted that if the referendum passes, the KMT would swiftly propose legislation to implement corporal punishment and urge the Cabinet to present its own proposal. He indicated that this could potentially occur during the year’s second legislative session, running from September to the end of December. Politically, holding such a referendum might also mobilize KMT supporters in Taiwan’s local elections scheduled for November 28.

Last year, the opposition-led Legislature amended regulations to allow referendums to be conducted on the same day as a national or local election if such an election is scheduled during the referendum period.

In a Facebook post last October, Hung previously advocated for caning as a penalty for fraud, which sparked widespread debate and received over 100,000 likes. The post referenced Singapore’s plans to expand caning for scammers while criticizing Taiwan’s inability to curb crimes like fraud and drunk driving, despite increasing penalties.

However, some commentators have warned that Taiwan could face international backlash due to its commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which bans corporal punishment. Chuang Jui-hsiung, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, expressed that the proposal represents a regression in Taiwan’s human rights progress. Chuang suggested alternative methods for combating fraud, such as enhancing criminal penalties or tightening parole conditions for scammers.