A two-day Workshop on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2018, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the European Union (EU) Office to Hong Kong and Macao, com… read more
To ensure the safety of mountain bikers and protect environment in the countryside, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department announced today (September 10) that two sections of mountain bike trails in country parks with serious erosion and potential hazards will be cancelled with effect from October 1, namely the trail from Pak Tam to Pak Sha O in Sai Kung West Country Park, and the ridge section of the Dragon’s Back mountain trail in Shek O Country Park. Mountain biking activities will no longer be allowed on the above-mentioned trails on or after the effective date. However, the foothill section of the Dragon’s Back mountain bike trail will be maintained, but excluding Sundays and public holidays to strike a balance between the needs of hikers and mountain bikers.
Moreover, mountain biking in the Wan Tsai Peninsula of the Sai Kung West Country Park (Wan Tsai Extension) will be limited to designated trails with effect from October 1. Compared to the existing arrangement that mountain biking is allowed in the whole peninsula, the new arrangement is intended to protect the vegetation of the peninsula and ensure the safety of mountain bikers.
In addition, the AFCD will make new arrangements for all mountain bike trails from October 1 onwards including clearer naming of sections and trails to facilitate management by the department and use by the bikers. The number of these trails will also increase from 10 to 15 (see Annex).
A spokesman for the AFCD said, “The AFCD will implement the above new arrangements based on the results of the review of the existing mountain bike trails. The AFCD has liaised closely with the relevant stakeholders during the consultation and gathered their views. The AFCD will display relevant information on its website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mou/cou_vis_mou.html), at visitor centres and at entrances/exits of mountain bike trails, to enable mountain bikers to learn more about the new arrangements.
“The AFCD will continue to explore the development of new mountain trails at appropriate locations, define the level of difficulty for each trail and adopt appropriate technical designs for mountain bikers’ selection to enjoy the fun of mountain biking.”
The AFCD will continue to enhance the recreational experience of mountain biking in country parks, including inviting trail specialist to look into improving High Junk Peak mountain bike trail and Hoi Ha to Wan Tsai mountain bike trail. The AFCD is also erecting signage, such as distance posts, in phases along each mountain bike trail, so bikers can quickly locate themselves in case of accidents. Improvement works are also being undertaken by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) on the mountain bike trail of Lantau South Country Park, and a new mountain bike training ground near Mui Wo and various connecting mountain bike trails are being constructed by the CEDD. The new trails will provide brand new spots for mountain cycling enthusiasts in the near future. read more
The Transport Department (TD) today (September 10) announced that the West Kowloon Station Bus Terminus, which is located at the north of the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, will commence operation this Sunday (September 16) to replace the temporary bus terminus at To Wah Road in Jordan.
The following 10 bus routes currently terminating at the temporary bus terminus at To Wah Road in Jordan will be relocated to the West Kowloon Station Bus Terminus:
(i) KMB Route No. 36B (to/from Lei Muk Shue Public Transport Interchange);
(ii) KMB Route No. 36X (from Lei Muk Shue Public Transport Interchange);
(iii) KMB Route No. 42A (to/from Cheung Hang);
(iv) KMB Route No. 46 (to/from Lai Yiu);
(v) KMB Route No. 60X (to/from Tuen Mun Central);
(vi) KMB Route No. 63X (to/from Hung Shui Kiu (Hung Fuk Estate));
(vii) KMB Route No. 69X (to/from Tin Shui Wai (Tin Shui));
(viii) KMB Route No. 81 (to/from Wo Che);
(ix) KMB Route No. 95 (to/from Tsui Lam); and
(x) KMB Route No. 268X (to/from Hung Shui Kiu (Hung Fuk Estate)).
At the same time, the terminus of KMB Route No. 271 (to/from Fu Heng) will also be relocated to the West Kowloon Station Bus Terminus and en-route bus stops will be provided at Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui.
In addition, with effect from September 23 (Sunday), three new bus routes, namely Citybus Route No. W1 (to/from Admiralty and Central), KMB Route No. W2 (to/from Kwun Tong and Lam Tin) and KMB Route No. W3 (to/from Sheung Shui, Tai Po and Sha Tin), will also provide services at the West Kowloon Station Bus Terminus to facilitate the commissioning of the High Speed Rail.
Notices will be displayed inside bus compartments and at bus stops to advise passengers of the bus service arrangements. Members of the public may call 1823, visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) and make use of the TD’s mobile application “HKeMobility” to obtain public transport information.
Five illegal workers comprising three Vietnamese, a Gambian and a Bangladeshi were jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts on September 7.
During joint operations conducted by the Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion” on June 20 and July 16, enforcement officers raided a Mong Kok stall and the airport cargo terminal. A male Gambian illegal worker, aged 31, and a male Bangadeshi illegal worker, aged 41, were arrested. When intercepted, they were both conveying goods. Upon identity checking, they produced for inspection a recognisance forms issued by the ImmD, which prohibit them from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that they were non-refoulement claimants. An employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
In addition, during an anti-illegal worker operation mounted on September 5, ImmD investigators raided a restaurant in Yuen Long. Two male Vietnamese illegal workers and a female Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 28 to 38, were arrested. When intercepted, they were washing dishes. Upon identity checking, they were found to be illegal immigrants. An employer suspected of employing the illegal workers was arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
The five illegal workers were charged at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts on September 7 with taking employment after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully and remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration or while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. After trial, they were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 15 months to 22 months and 14 days. In addition, three of them were also charged with remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director and were sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment. All sentences are to run concurrently.
The ImmD spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment should be applied in such cases.
The spokesman also warned that it is an offence for any person to have landed in Hong Kong unlawfully, and to remain in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $25,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment.
The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threat and coercion in the recruitment phase, and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent interference, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments. read more
“The Housing Department (HD) always spares no effort in combating false declarations made during applications for subsidised housing,” an HD spokesman said today (September 10).
An applicant for the purchase of a flat under the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) was sentenced to a community service order of 160 hours today for making statements to the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) on the application and declaration forms which she knew to be false or misleading as to a material particular by understating the net asset value of her deposits and assets to the HD.
In this case, the defendant, who applied for the purchase of a flat under the HOS by White Form in 2017, understated the net asset value of her deposits and assets on an application form and a declaration form respectively. However, the HD found that she actually understated the net asset value of her deposits and assets by around $0.7 million in each declaration period respectively.
The defendant was later prosecuted by the HD for making statements to the HA which she knew to be false or misleading as to a material particular, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Housing Ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on August 27. The magistrate considered a fine as punishment would not reflect the gravity of the offence. He ordered the defendant to be detained until September 10 for sentencing and to obtain a Community Service Orders report. After making reference to the Community Service Orders report, the defendant was sentenced to a community service order of 160 hours today.
The spokesman reminded all subsidised sale flat applicants of the legislative requirements, whereby if they make statements to the HA which they know to be false or misleading as to a material particular, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Housing Ordinance, they shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $500,000 and imprisonment for one year.
If they have already purchased and completed the assignment of the subsidised sale flats, pursuant to Section 26B of the Housing Ordinance, the court may order the purchaser to forfeit to the HA a sum equivalent to the difference between the original purchase price of the flat and the market value at the date of the order. If the estate in which the subsidised sale flat is located is incomplete, the HA may rescind the agreement for sale and purchase previously signed with the purchaser and forfeit the deposit paid by them in accordance with the related clause therein. read more