The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) delegation, led by the President of the LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, continued its duty visit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today (May 14).

     In the morning, the delegation met with the President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia, Mr Low Kian Chuan. Both sides exchanged views on various topics including promoting new industrialisation and supporting young entrepreneurs. They looked forward to businesses in Hong Kong and Malaysia continuing to promote exchanges and knowledge sharing in various industries, with a view to strengthening the economic development of both places.

     Members then attended a luncheon with representatives of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia to share information on the latest development of Hong Kong's commerce, trade and investment. The delegation emphasised that Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will contribute to strengthening regional co-operation. The delegation also exchanged views with the chambers of commerce on the Belt and Road Initiative and developments of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, aiming to further promote bilateral relations and achieve mutual benefits in areas such as investment, trade, maritime services and logistics.

     In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to learn about the latest development of innovation and technology in Malaysia and explore opportunities for deeper co-operation. MDEC is a government agency responsible for leading the transformation of Malaysia's digital economy. Members also share experiences with representatives of MDEC on areas such as e-commerce, electronic payment, fintech, digital infrastructure, as well as cyber and data security. Last year, MDEC collaborated with post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong to foster the development of innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems in Hong Kong and Malaysia.

     The delegation departed for Jakarta, Indonesia in the evening and will begin its duty visit in Jakarta tomorrow (May 15). 

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed as having Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in a surgical ward, the spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital gave the following update today (May 14):
 
     The hospital has conducted a screening and confirmed two more male patients (aged 90 and 92) as carriers of CPE. Two patients were transferred to Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital for further medical care in isolation on May 9 and May 11. They are currently in stable condition.
 
     The ward concerned will continue to adopt the following enhanced infection control measures:

1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Continuing to apply stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection for the environment and facilities of the ward.
 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation in the ward concerned. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
 

     A man who went missing in Wong Tai Sin has been located.

     Ho Hiu-pang, aged 28, went missing after he left his residence in Wang Tau Hom Estate on May 12 morning. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man returned to his residence this afternoon (May 14). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Silver Wing" yesterday (May 13) to combat violations by imported workers. During the operation, four imported workers, suspected of performing duties at non-contractual homes for the elderly, were arrested. Three persons-in-charge of the homes for the elderly concerned were also arrested.
 
     The ImmD received a report earlier about several homes for the elderly where imported workers were illegally deployed for duties. After an in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis, the ImmD officers initiated the operation yesterday and arrested the abovementioned four imported workers and the three persons-in-charge of the homes for the elderly. The arrested imported workers comprised one man and three women, aged 32 to 52, who were suspected of breaching their conditions of stay by performing duties at non-contractual homes for the elderly. The arrested persons-in-charge of the homes for the elderly comprised three women, aged 42 to 65, who were suspected of aiding and abetting a person who breached their condition of stay in Hong Kong.
 
     "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence. Also, after entry into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the imported worker admitted on an employment condition must remain under the direct employment of the same employer for the specified job and in the specific workplace(s) as stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract and cannot be employed by other companies or subcontractors. Change of the employer, post or place of work (unless stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract) is not permitted. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties," an ImmD spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. 

  

     Police are investigating a murder and suicide case in Kwai Chung yesterday (May 13) in which a woman and a man died.

     At 11.56am yesterday, Police received a report from a woman that she suspected her 58-year-old younger sister and 32-year-old nephew committed suicide by burning charcoal in a unit in Kwai Yan House, Kwai Fong Estate. Officers attended the scene and found the woman and the man collapsed in a bedroom. A basin of burnt charcoal was found next to them. They were certified dead at scene.
     
     A will note in suspected connection with the case was seized at scene. Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of their death.

     Active investigation by the District Crime Squad of Kwai Tsing District is underway. Police appeal to anyone who has information related to the case to contact the investigating officers on 3661 2934.