XN000022-1986-07-09 — Page 8

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986

COMMENTING ON CRITICISM OF THE DOCUMENT, DR HO SAID THE CRITICS FEARED THAT PERSONAL FREEDOMS WOULD BE UNDULY RESTRICTED.

HE SAID: +APPARENTLY THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON IS AFRAID OF GOING OUT IN QUIET AREAS, OUR WOMEN-FOLK FEEL VERY INSECURE IN THE IR HOME ALONE AT NIGHT, PARENTS TEND TO PROHIBIT THEIR CHILDREN FROM PLAYING IN THE PARKS AND STUDENTS ARE NOT AT EASE EVEN IN THE SCHOOL PREMISES, IN THE LIGHT OF THE BULLYING, INTIMIDATING AND DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR OF THE TRIADS AND GANGSTERS, HE SAID.

+TO CONDONE THESE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS IS TANTAMOUNT TO RESTRAINING THE FREEDOMS OF LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS, +

+MAY THEN ASK THE CRITICS WHY THE SAFETY AND FREEDOM OF THE LAWFUL MAJORITY HAS TO BE SACRIFICED FOR THE LIBERTIES OF THE UNLAWFUL FEW OR THE LONG-TERM ORDER AND PEACE OF THE TERRITORY HAS TO BE TRADED IN FOR THE INSOLENCE AND TERRORISM OF THE UNRULY?+

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SURVEY HAD INDICATED THAT 73 PER CENT OF THOSE RESPONDENTS INTERVIEWED ACCEPTED THE LOSS OF CIVIL LIBERTY AS A WORTHWHILE PRICE FOR COMBATTING TRIADS AND ORGANISED CRIME, WHILE ONLY 11 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS THOUGHT OTHERWISE.

+THE GREAT MAJORITY HAVE MADE A CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE CHOICE,+ HE SAID.

AS FOR CRITICISM LEVELLED AT THE DOCUMENT FOR FOCUSING LARGELY ON THE INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION AND ENFORCEMENT ASPECTS OF THE POLICE EFFORT IN SUPPRESSING TRIAD AND GANG ACTIVITIES, DR HO SAID THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE FULLY SUBSCRIBED TO THE STRATEGY THAT THE PROBLEM MUST BE SUBJECTED TO AS BROAD AN ATTACK AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM EFFECT.

ACTING IN THIS SPIRIT, HE SAID, THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAD SET UP A NUMBER OF SUB-COMMITTEES, EACH DESIGNED TO TACKLE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE TRIAD AND GANG PROBLEM, SUCH AS TO REVIEW THE WATCHMEN ORDINANCE TO EXAMINE THE SECURITY INDUSTRY TO REVIEW WITH THE INTENTION TO AMEND THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE POSSESSION AND USE OF REPLICA FIREARMS AND TO MONITOR AND ALLEVIATE DELINQUENT AND UNRULY BEHAVIOUR AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN.

REGARDING THE VIEWS OF THE AD HOC GROUP, DR HO REPORTED THAT BROAD AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED ON SUCH OPTIONS AS INCREASING THE MAXIMUM FINES RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP; CLOSURE ORDERS FOR VICE-ESTABLISHMENTS; POLICE PROTECTION OF WITNESSES; OMISSION OF ADDRESSES IN WITNESS STATEMENTS; ONE-WAY VIEWERS MANDATORY IDENTIFICATION PARADES; THE USE OF TASK FORCES AND CONFISCATION OF PROCEEDS FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING.

/HOWEVER, THE