I
7
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
AN OFFENDER IS LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A $2,000 FINE AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT.
HE EXPLAINED:
IS NOW SETTLED THAT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT INNOCENT PURPOSE.
**
"SINCE THE PRIVY COUNCIL'S DECISION IN 1986, IT THE SUBSECTION IS ΤΟ PROHIBIT LOITERING IN REASONABLY SUGGEST A PURPOSE OTHER THAN AN
THE SECRETARY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE PRIVY COUNCIL'S DECISION HAD RESOLVED SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PROVISION, IT HAD NOT ALLAYED THE CRITICS' CONCERNS.
PUT
THE CRITICS ARGUE THAT SECTION 160(1) MAKES UNACCEPTABLE INROADS INTO AN INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHTS TO REFUSE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS TO HIM BY POLICE OFFICERS. THEY ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE REQUIREMENT ON THE INDIVIDUAL TO EXPLAIN HIS CONDUCT GOES AGAINST THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE THAT THE BURDEN OF PROOF LIES WITH THE PROSECUTION.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN CRITICISED FOR CREATING VICTIMLESS CRIMES AND CONCERNS HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED THAT THE LAW IS OPEN TO ABUSE BY DISHONEST OR OVERZEALOUS POLICE OFFICERS.
"ARE THESE CRITICISMS VALID? DO THEY EXAGGERATE THE PROBLEMS AND NEGLECT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAWS AIMED AT CRIME PREVENTION? IS IT POSSIBLE TO EFFECTIVELY POLICE A CROWDED URBAN ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT A LAW SIMILAR TO SECTION 160?" ASKED THE SECRETARY.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT THE SUB-COMMITTER HOPES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL ADDRESS.
THOSE WISHING TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS CAN WRITE TO THE SECRETARY, SUB-COMMITTEE ON LOITERING, LAW REFORM COMMISSION, FIRST FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HIGH BLOCK, QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG BEFORE OCTOBER 1.
HOTEL AMONG BUILDING PLANS APPROVED
* * * *
A HOTEL PROJECT IN KOWLOON WAS AMONG THE NEW BUILDING APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
PLANS
SITUATED AT 380 BUILDING WITH 439 GUEST
NATHAN ROAD, THE HOTEL WILL BE AN ROOMS.
18-STOREY
A TOTAL OF 66 PLANS WERE APPROVED IN THE MONTH. WERE FOR PROJECTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 14 IN KOWLOON NEW TERRITORIES.
OF
THESE,
AND
29
23 IN THE
/ALSO APPROVED