The Legislative Council of Hong Kong has dismissed the fundamental 12-day prior notice prerequisite under the Notice of Motions and Amendments, preparing for the continuation of the second reading of the new local security bill. The decision was made upon request by Chris Tang, the Secretary for Security in Hong Kong, via a letter to the House Committee of the Legislative Council.
According to the Notice of Motions and Amendments, the president of the Legislative Council has the authority to bypass the 12-day and 5-day notice stipulations for the motion and amendment to be moved respectively by the council.
The House Committee unanimously ratified Tang’s recommendation to maneuver around the relevant notice requirements, thereby expediting the second reading of the new local security bill. Alongside the 12-day notice waiver, a deadline was established for the members to present any proposed changes by 12 noon local time on the following Saturday.
Backing Tang’s suggestions, Martin Liao Cheung-kong, a Legislative Council member, opined that the new local security bill would complement the China-imposed National Security Law, enhancing protection of fundamental rights, promoting economic development, and sustaining long-term stability and prosperity in Hong Kong. In a similar sentiment, another Legislative Council member, Regina Ip, added that the bill would heighten safety levels in the region, thus motivating future development.
Aforementioned, the Hong Kong government had previously dispatched the new local security bill to the Legislative Council on March 8 for evaluation. The bill criminalizes specific offenses, for instance, treason and insurrection, that were not defined as crimes in the National Security Law enforced by China. On February 28, the Hong Kong government announced the culmination of the month-long public consultation period for the local security law under Article 23 of the Basic Law.
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