Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lo Wai-chung, at a media session at Police Headquarters today (June 27):
Reporter: Mr Lee, what are you going to answer to the protesters' demands, to prevent protesters from escalating their actions further? And you asked the public not to vent their political anger on the Police but many protesters are actually angry about police power abuse and alleged violence. What do you have to say? For Mr Lo, why have you taken the hands-off approach in dealing with the previous Police Headquarters siege? Are you going to review the strategy?
Secretary for Security: We understand that a lot of people have their own views about the Government's action in proposing the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance. The Government has stated very clearly that the scrutiny of the bill (Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019) has been suspended. And the Government will accept the fact that if at the end of this LegCo (Legislative Council) term the bill cannot continue to be scrutinised, we will accept that reality. In other words, the Government will accept that the bill, up to the expiry of the LegCo term, will become ineffective. We hope that through our different messages, and the attitude of the Government to inform the public that in future we will all be taking serious consideration of public opinions and public sentiments in making proposals in different areas, then we can proceed and progress in a proper manner for the overall benefit of Hong Kong. I hope everybody understands that Hong Kong is the home of each one of us. We all want to make it better. We will take into consideration the aspirations, views and opinions of the different sectors of the public, in particular, as the Chief Executive has said many times, the opinions of our young people. We hope that through what we do in these coming three years, we will let people understand the good intention of the Government to ensure that Hong Kong will progress in accordance with the aspirations and wishes of the people. In regard to the different complaints regarding police action, we have a long-established system of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC), which will monitor and scrutinise investigations conducted by the Complaints Against Police Office, and I fully respect the independence of the IPCC. And the system has been used for many years in dealing with complaints against the Police. In respect of many major events, such as the illegal occupation (in Central) and the Mong Kok riot case, all these complaints had been dealt with thoroughly, impartially by the IPCC. Before the law, everybody is equal. We should respect the rule of law, and we should respect due process. I am sure that the IPCC will do all it can. I am sure that all complaint investigations will thoroughly and impartially be dealt with, and that they will discharge their duty to the spirit and intention of the IPCC ordinance.
Commissioner of Police: I am afraid I cannot reveal our operational strategies or deployment details, but I can tell you the overriding principles for my operational decisions will always be first, public interest, and second the interest of my officers. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
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