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culprits, giving protection to witnesses, imposing police supervision and making amendment to ordinances. Much of this 'discussion document on triads' in fact concerns the work of the Urban Council, for example, triad activities among hawkers and in snooker saloons. I think, therefore, we as Urban Councillors are duty-bound to discuss the document and openly express our views.
I have long been particularly concerned about the market and hawker problem and would like to express my views here. While the discussion document has put forward many viable proposals, there is no detailed discussion on the scope of triad activities and the seriousness of the problem. The situation is like manufacturing powerful weapons without knowing the enemy's numbers, how they operate, what method they use, and how active and powerful they are. From what is written in paragraph 2.58C - 'They are also involved in the provision of dry goods in hawker bazaars' and paragraph 3.14 - 'WGOG is now considering the Urban Council Consultative Document from the viewpoint of limiting triad and gang opportunities in the field of hawking', it can be seen that the authorities concerned do not have a full understanding about the problem of triad activities among hawkers. The discussion document has merely touched on the problem, without clearly outlining it.
As we all know, triads have been most active in the hawking trade, especially the lucrative unlicensed hawking, making the problem of disorderly hawking even worse. The General Duties Teams, being civilian public servants responsible for the management of hawkers, do not have the means to cope with the triads.
I suggest the Fight Crime Committee press the police for the setting up of a special investigation team, or through other means, to delve into various areas of triad activities mentioned in the discussion document, such as hawker and market and abattoirs. This special team should formulate specific measures and streamline manpower to eradicate triad activities step by step and area by area. With these words, sir, I move the motion under my name in the agenda. I hope you would support it.
MRS. ELSIE TU seconded the motion (in English): Mr. Chairman, I rise to second the motion.
As Chairman of the Working Party to Review Hawker and Related Policies, I believe that the discussion document named in the Motion is of vital importance to the success of any future hawker policies.
2. Numerous criticisms have been levelled at the Council and the Department by District Boards and other concerned bodies, for our failure to control the enormous number of unlicensed hawkers who obstruct and litter our streets and pavements.
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3. While not denying that we have failed to exercise sufficient control, and that policies have been inadequate in some respects, I feel that the Motion today gives me the opportunity to explain to the public that a great deal of our failure can also be attributed to the triad stranglehold exerted on our staff, especially the G.D. Teams, in their efforts to carry out their duties.
4. I would not like to claim that every member of our G.D. Teams is a model civil servant and faultless in his efforts. But I do claim that many of those who wish to carry out their duties faithfully have been harassed, and in some cases intimidated, wounded or framed up by triad elements.
5. In our numerous investigations and consultations with unions, associations and Government bodies, the message has come through clearly that unless the activities of triads among hawkers are sternly tackled, no one will be able to bring order out of the present situation, either now or in the foreseeable future.
6. Licensed newspaper hawkers, for example, have for years complained of receiving court summonses for obstruction, while unlicensed newspaper hawkers operating alongside them have remained unscathed. When mention was made last year of the possibility of some unlicensed newspaper hawkers already in situ becoming licensed, news came to me of a scurry of activity among triads, offering their protection and assistance, as well as threats to potential licensees.
7. Most if not all of our reordering or resiting exercises have been forestalled, if not ruined, as in Tung Choi Street and Temple Street, by triads muscling in, and somehow managing to control the prime sites, pushing genuine hawkers into the less lucrative sites.
8. Whenever I complain to police or to the Department about such matters, I can foresee the result. Reports to the police on individual cases usually bring about further pressure on the complainants. Reports to the Department are usually passed on to the police, with the same result. Consequently, I seldom make such complaints because I know it is useless. Somehow or other the triad member always discovers who made the report and takes revenge on the complainant.
9. As to the G.D. Teams, our Working Party has interviewed a number of members, and it has become clear that in some districts more than others, they are so intimidated that, being unarmed, they are unable to arrest a triad-associated hawker. It is also clear that some of the more aggressive hawkers were police informers in the pre-ICAC days, and they now control lucrative sites. They are still on friendly terms with some police, and are not afraid of our G.D. Teams. Indeed, they sometimes make counter-charges against the G.D. Teams. The situation has become so serious that the Urban Council is finding it
Page 62 of 201
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
culprits, giving protection to witnesses, imposing police supervision and making amendment to ordinances. Much of this 'discussion document on triads' in fact concerns the work of the Urban Council, for example, triad activities among hawkers and in snooker saloons. I think, therefore, we as Urban Councillors are duty-bound to discuss the document and openly express our views.
I have long been particularly concerned about the market and hawker problem and would like to express my views here. While the discussion document has put forward many viable proposals, there is no detailed discussion on the scope of triad activities and the seriousness of the problem. The situation is like manufacturing powerful weapons without knowing the enemy's numbers, how they operate, what method they use, and how active and powerful they are. From what is written in paragraph 2.58C-They are also involved in the provision of dry goods in hawker bazaars' and paragraph 3.14- 'WGOG is now considering the Urban Council Consultative Document from the view point of limiting triad and gang opportunities in the field of hawking`. it can be seen that the authorities concerned do not have a full understanding about the problem of triad activities among hawkers. The discussion document has merely touched on the problem, without clearly outlining it.
As we all know, triads have been most active in the hawking trade especially the lucrative unlicensed hawking, making the problem of disorderly hawking even worse. The General Duties Teams, being civilian public servants responsible for the management of hawkers, do not have the means to cope with the triads.
I suggest the Fight Crime Committee press the police for the setting up of a special investigation team, or through other means, to delve into various areas of triad activities mentioned in the discussion document, such as hawker and market and abattoirs. This special team should formulate specific measures and streamline manpower to eradicate triad activities step by step and area by area. With these words, sir, I move the motion under my name in the agenda. I hope you would support it.
MRS. ELSIE TU seconded the motion (in English): Mr. Chairman, I rise to second the motion.
As Chairman of the Working Party to Review Hawker and Related Policies, I believe that the discussion document named in the Motion is of vital importance to the success of any future hawker policies.
2. Numerous criticisms have been levelled at the Council and the Department by District Boards and other concerned bodies, for our failure to control the enormous number of unlicensed hawkers who obstruct and litter our streets and pavements.
our
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3. While not denying that we have failed to exercise sufficient control, and that policies have been inadequate in some respects, I feel that the Motion today gives me the opportunity to explain to the public that a great deal of our failure can also be attributed to the triad stranglehold exerted on our staff, especially the G.D. Teams, in their efforts to carry out their duties.
4. I would not like to claim that every member of our G.D. Teams is a model civil servant and faultless in his efforts. But I do claim that many of those who wish to carry out their duties faithfully have been harassed, and in some cases intimidated, wounded or framed up by triad elements.
5. In our numerous investigations and consultations with unions, associations and Government bodies, the message has come through clearly that unless the activities of triads among hawkers are sternly tackled, no one will be able to bring order out of the present situation, either now or in the foreseeable future.
6. Licensed newspaper hawkers, for example, have for years complained of receiving court summonses for obstruction, while unlicensed newspaper hawkers operating alongside them have remained unscathed. When mention was made last year of the possibility of some unlicensed newspaper hawkers already in situ becoming licensed, news came to me of a scurry of activity among triads, offering their protection and assistance, as well as threats to potential licencees.
7. Most if not all of our reordering or resiting exercises have been forestalled, if not ruined, as in Tung Choi Street and Temple Street, by triads muscling in, and somehow managing to control the prime sites, pushing genuine hawkers into the less lucrative sites.
8. Whenever I complain to police or to the Department about such matters, I can foresee the result. Reports to the police on individual cases usually bring about further pressure on the complainants. Reports to the Department are usually passed on to the police, with the same result. Consequently, I seldom make such complaints because I know it is useless. Somehow or other the triad member always discovers who made the report and takes revenge on the complainant.
9. As to the G.D. Teams, our Working Party has interviewed a number of members, and it has become clear that in some districts more than others, they are so intimidated that, being unarmed, they are unable to arrest a triad- associated hawker. It is also clear that some of the more aggressive hawkers were police informers in the pre-ICAC days, and they now control lucrative sites. They are still on friendly terms with some police, and are not afraid of our G.D. Teams. Indeed, they sometimes make counter-charges against the G.D. Teams. The situation has become so serious that the Urban Council is finding it
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