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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SCHEMB WAS INTRODUCED ON DECEMBER 8, 1988 AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE TO ALLOW PERSONS TO FORHÅLLY RENOUNCE THEIR MEMBERSHIP OF A TRIAD SOCIETY IN RETURN FOR A STAY OF PROSECUTION FOR OFFENCES RELATED TO TRIAD MEMBERSHIP UNDER TAK SOCIETIES ORDINANCE.
"THE SCHEME WAS AIMED PARTICULARLY AT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BECOME TRIAD MEMBERS UNDER DURESS OR OUT OF IGNORANCE OF THE IMPLICATIONS, AND AS A RESULT, HAVING A BLACK CLOUD HANGING OVER THEIR CHANCES OF LEADING CRIME-FREE AND USEFUL LIVES," THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
HE ADDED THAT THE RESPONSE ΤΟ THE SCHEME HAD BREN ENCOURAGING. UP TO THE END OF DECEMBER 1990, A TOTAL OF 4.479 ENQUIRIES AND 959 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 549 GENUINE TRIAD MEMBERS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RENOUNCED THEIR TRIAD MEMBERSHIP SO FAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DECISION TO SUSPEND THE SCHEME WAS MADR IN THE BELIEF THAT TWO YEARS WAS LONG ENOUGH FOR THOSE WHO WERE SINCERE IN THEIR INTENTIONS TO RELINQUISH THEIR TRIAD INVOLVEMENT COME FORWARD.
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"AN EXTENSION OR PERMANENT AVAILABILITY OF THE SCHEME HAVE A NEGATIVE OR EVEN COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE EFFECT AS THIS ENCOURAGE POTENTIAL RENOUNCERS TO DEFER THEIR APPLICATIONS AND TEMPT OTHERS, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, TO BECOME TRIAD MEMBERS IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY COULD MAKE A RENUNCIATION LATER," HE EXPLAINED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN PARALLEL WITH THE SUSPENSION OF THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARING NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR TOUGHER MEASURES AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES, INCLUDING TRIADS. THESE WILL INCLUDE HEAVIER PENALTIES AND THE FORFEITURE OF ASSETS.
"ONCE THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL IS PASSED, A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED TO ENCOURAGE POTENTIAL RENOUNCERS TO COME FORWARD BEFORE APRIL 1, AS APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ON OR AFTER THAT DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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"TRIADS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THIS FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO RENOUNCE THEIR TRIAD MEMBERSHIP BEFORE THE SCHEME IS SUSPENDED AND THE NEW TOUGHER MEASURES AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME ARE INTRODUCED," 付费 ADDED.
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