WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1989
49
THE ENACTMENT OF THE DRUG TRAFFICKING RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS ) ORDINANCE DURING THE LAST SESSION WAS A MAJOR STEF IN THE FIGHT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING.
"MOST OF ITS PROVISIONS CAME INTO FORCE ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR AND THE REMAINING PROVISIONS, RELATING ΤΟ THE REPORTING OF SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS BY BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. WILL COME INTO FORCE ON DECEMBER 1, HE SAID.
WHILE THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL AND THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE FURTHER MEASURES AGAINST SERIOUS CRIME. MR BARNES SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS ALSO CONSIDERING THE FEASIBILITY OF LEGISLATION TO CREATE A NEW OFFENCE OF INVOLVEMENT IN ORGANISED CRIME.
"WE AIM TO PUBLISH A DRAFT ORGANISED CRIME BILL NEXT YEAR AS WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
+
A
THIS WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO BRING BEFORE THE COURTS EVIDENCE OF SUCH INVOLVEMENT. TO PERMIT THE IMPOSITION OF HEAVY SENTENCES FOR LEADING MEMBERS OF ORGANISED CRIME GANGS AND SYNDICATES. AND TO ATTACK SUCH GANGS AND SYNDICATES THROUGH NEW PROVISIONS FOR FORFEITURE AND AGAINST MONEY-LAUNDERING." HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WAS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE SECURITY INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG AND SO TO IMPROVE STANDARDS.
"PROPOSALS WILL INCLUDE A LICENSING SYSTEM ON TWO LEVELS: FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF SECURITY COMPANIES.
THE COMPANIES THEMSELVES," HE SAID.
AND FOR
ON EXISTING LEGISLATION. HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD MAKE PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATION TO REPEAL ALL EXISTING PROVISIONS WHICH EMPOWERED THE COURTS TO AWARD CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. THIS FOLLOWED AN EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION EXERCISE. AND A REVIEW OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OTHER FORMS OF PUNISHMENT.
OF
IT WOULD ALSO SEEK THE VIEWS OF LEGCO ON THE PRESENT LAWS RELATING TO HOMOSEXUAL CONDUCT.
ON THE GENERAL CRIME SITUATION. MR BARNES SAID THE PRESENT LEVEL OF CRIME REMAINED ABOUT THE SAME AS LAST YEAR, WITH A DROP IN MINOR CRIMES SUCH AS SHOPTHEFT. A SLIGHT INCREASE IN SERIOUS AND VIOLENT CRIMES. AND THE NUMBER OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS REMAINING CONSTANT AT ABOUT 17 PER CENT OF ALL OFFENDERS.
WHILE THE CRIME RATE IN HONG KONG HAD MADE IT ONE OF THE SAFER PLACES IN THE WORLD FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE AND WORK, MR BARNES STRESSED NEITHER THE POLICE NOR THE ADMINISTRATION WERE COMPLACENT AND A CLOSE WATCH WAS KEPT ON CRIME TRENDS AND RATES.
"THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE. ON WHICH SEVERAL MEMBERS SERVE, CONTINUES TO FUNCTION MOST POSITIVELY AND HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN PROMOTING PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION AIMED AT CRIME PREVENTION. PARTICULARLY AMONGST YOUNG PERSONS. HE POINTED OUT.
TURNING TO