Swindler's fame is shame on whole society

TV grab taken on 29 July 2013 shows a CCTV program on Chinese qigong master Wang Lin. [Photo/IC]

The 63-year-old, self-proclaimed Chinese qigong master Wang Lin is reportedly being questioned by police about his involvement in the death of Zou Yong, one of his apprentices, last week. The police are treating the death as murder. Comments:

Wang reportedly threatened to kill Zou after a dispute around two years ago. But it was not until Zou lost his life that the infamous charlatan was put under investigation in accordance with the law. The high price of a life reveals the incompetence of the relevant local departments, which will keep testing their ability to follow the right procedures in dealing with the case.

Beijing News, July 17

Had all the reports and tips about Wang's violations of the law over the last two years been given enough attention by the local police and investigated thoroughly, the murder would not have taken place.

Beijing Times, July 17

Those celebrities and officials who are close to Wang can hardly be regarded as true believers in his qigong-related "special abilities". They were just exploiting him as a medium or power broker to expand their connections. That being said, Wang has lived up to his title of "master" given his capability to act as a "bridge" between influential figures.

Daily Sunshine, July 18

Despite the long-standing calls for an investigation into Wang, the judicial departments have failed to do so because his misdeeds were mostly in the gray areas between the relevant laws. It is a shame that such a fraudster has had his way for so long. But his magic of pulling strings is gone, amid the mounting public anger against him. The country needs to reflect on how such a swindler could get away with his misdeeds for years without being brought to justice. A thorough investigation into his alleged crimes and a just trial in accordance with the law is a justifiable end to this farce.

Global Times, July 18