FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979
CARRYING OF ID CARDS IN FRONTIER CLOSED AREA AND MAI PO
BIRD SANCTUARY IS COMPULSORY FROM NEXT FRIDAY ******
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS MADE AN ORDER, EFFECTIVE FROM NEXT FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 23) DESIGNATING THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA AND MA! PO BIRD SANCTUARY AS AREAS IN WHICH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ORDINANCE, MUST CARRY IDENTITY CARDS AND PRODUCE THEM FOR INSPECTION ON DEMAND BY SECURITY FORCES.·
THE ORDER WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS AND PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE IS TO FACILITATE THE CONTROL OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA.
THE REGULATIONS AMENDED EARLIER THIS YEAR UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1979, STATE THAT THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL MAY, BY ORDER PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE, REQUIRE THAT EVERY PERSON, OR PERSONS OF SUCH CLASS SPECIFIED
IN THE ORDER, SHALL CARRY HIS IDENTITY CARD IN AN AREA DESIGNATED IN THE ORDER.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO REQUIRE THAT ON DEMAND BY SECURITY FORCES, A PERSON SHOULD PRODUCE HIS IDENTITY CARD FOR INSPECTION IN A DESIGNATED AREA.
FAILURE TO CARRY AN IDENTITY CARD IN A DESIGNATED AREA OR TO PRODUCE IT FOR INSPECTION ON DEMAND BY SECURITY FORCES WOULD CONSTITUTE AN OFFENCE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMPULSORY CARRYING OF IDENTITY CARDS IN DESIGNATED AREAS IS TO HELP SECURITY FORCES IDENTIFY THOSE WHO HAVE ENTERED HONG KONG ILLEGALLY.
HE ASSURED THAT AT THIS JUNCTURE THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT INTEND TO DESIGNATE LARGE AREAS OF POPULATION AS PLACES IN WHICH PEOPLE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CARRY IDENTITY CARDS.
PING CHAU IN MIRS BAY IS THE FIRST AREA SO DESIGNATED BY THE ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL ON JULY 16, THIS YEAR.
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