Annex E (Page 2)
Amendments to the Societies Ordinance,
Cap 151 (Increase in maximum fines and
amendments to Sections 20 and 22)
3
Heavier fines and harsher penalties were
supported. Tin Tin Daily News suggested that the death penalty and corporal punishment should be carried out. Some papers had reservations on the options to amend sections 20 and 22 of the Societies
Ordinance. It was considered that the definition of
"triad society" was not clear. The creation of an
offence of a series of acts or words implying triad
membership or affiliation was also considered
inappropriate, as such acts or words could be vague and open to subjective interpretation. Also, triad slang was already commonly used on television and in films. It was suggested that it should be clearly
defined what constitutes the offence of claiming to
be a triad member to avoid abuse of power by the Police. Papers expressing such reservations included Hong Kong Daily News, Oriental Daily, Centre Daily
News and Ming Pao Evening News.
Police supervision scheme
4
There were mixed views on this option. Papers supporting the Police supervision scheme
considered that it could effectively monitor and
control the activities of triads and that any
sacrifice of personal freedom was worthwhile for the
sake of public order. This view was shared by Sing
Tao Wan Po, Wen Wei Po, Ming Pao and Tin Tin Daily
News. But reservations were expressed in editorials on the scheme on the grounds that the Police would be given too great a power which, if abused, would
restrict civil liberties. Other views on the scheme
included