Govt mulls Legco call for quicker action on absconders
People charged with national security offences who are suspected of having left Hong Kong could be stripped of their passports quicker than originally planned, with the government suggesting it could heed a call by lawmakers to drop a proposed waiting period before action is taken. The bill on Article 23 national security legislation sets out how six months after the issue of the warrant has expired, the authorities can take various measures against an absconder, including cancelling their passports and professional qualifications. Lawmakers scrutinising the bill complained that the waiting period is too long, with one warning on Monday that endangering national security is "worse than murder and arson".  As discussions continued on Tuesday, Security Secretary Chris Tang said officials have changes in mind regarding the clauses relating to absconders, and will "actively consider" removing the six-month waiting period. New People's Party legislator Regina Ip asked how overseas jurisdictions would know that a suspect's passport has been cancelled.  Tang said authorities and airlines would be informed. "There's a mechanism that the Immigration Department has to notify foreign governments that a passport has been cancelled. Also, the department would communicate with airline operators, so as to notify them that a passport has been cancelled," he said.  DAB lawmaker Kennedy Wong, meanwhile, pointed out that the relevant clause in the bill does not ban an absconder from applying for a new passport. Tang said this could be changed to specify that such a ban would be in place.  The bill also outlaws the leasing of a flat to or from an absconder, as well as prohibiting the setting up of a joint venture with such an individual.  The security minister said the administration would look into stipulating that people who had dealings with individuals prior to them being considered an absconder would not have broken the law.