The Executive Council has announced that the government has drafted a new civil protection framework bill, which proposes a new crime category for causing harm to public security and order – such as by spreading rumours – when “unforeseen public incidents” hit the city – such as typhoons, other natural disasters and major accidents.
The bill proposes that offenders will face a prison term of up to two years. The prison term will be up to three years if the crime has effectively caused panic among the public or a negative impact on the authorities’ ongoing civil protection work, or if the rumour has caused residents to believe that the “information” originated from the authorities.
Leong Heng Teng, spokesman for the government’s top advisory body, made the announcement during a press conference at Government Headquarters on Friday.
Executive Council spokesman Leong Heng Teng speaks during Friday’s press conference at Government Headquarters about the government’s civil protection framework bill. Courtesy: TDM
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