Security Chief Wong Sio Chak said most of the new criminal offenses listed in the local national security law amendments carry prison terms of one to 10 years.
The Macau government launched public consultations on the National Security Law Amendment Bill on August 22 and Hong Kong. The 45-day public consultation he will end on October 5th.
The government has indicated that it aims to bring the revised bill to the Legislative Assembly (AL) for discussion and vote by the end of this year, after the ongoing public hearing process is completed.
According to Wong, according to both current and future versions, only those with clear intentions to endanger national security will be punished by local national security laws.
Mr Wong made the remarks at a public consultation on the proposed amendments to the public on Saturday. The session was held at the Service Platform Complex for Commercial and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries in Nam Vang.
About 200 residents attended Saturday’s session, hosted by Mr. Wong, 25 of whom submitted their views and suggestions during the approximately 3.5 hour session.
The government’s proposed amendments to the Local National Security Law are intended to enable Macau to deal with non-traditional threats to national security, and to prevent external hostile forces from interfering in Macau’s affairs or segregating Macau. It aims to strengthen the capacity of local governments to prevent them from engaging in or engaging in such activities. , overthrow, invasion or destruction of a State.
Local governments are proposing to expand the scope of certain existing crimes listed in local national security laws and to add new crimes to the law.
Macau enacted the National Security Law (Act on Protection of National Security Law) in 2009 based on the requirements of Article 23 of the Macau Basic Law.
Law 2/2009, Macau’s national security law, has never been amended since its enactment in 2009.
Article 23 of the Macau Basic Law states that the Macau Special Administrative Region shall enact its own laws prohibiting treason, secession, sedition, subversion of the Central People’s Government, or theft of state secrets, and prohibits foreign political organizations. or prohibiting the organization from conducting political activities in her MSAR and prohibiting the MSAR’s political organization or organization from establishing relationships with foreign political organizations or organizations.
The current version of the National Security Law establishes five crimes endangering national security and their respective penalties, stipulated in Article 23 of the Macau Basic Law: treason, secession, sedition, subversion of the central government, and theft of state secrets. are enumerated.
The latest version of Law 2/2009 includes additional penalties for foreign political organizations or entities committing five crimes endangering national security in the MSAR, and Macau-based political organizations or Additional penalties for committing a crime by establishing a relationship with a counterpart are also listed. five sins.
According to the current version of the local national security law, treason, secession, or subversion of the central government (Articles 1, 2, and 3) are each punishable by 10 to 25 years in prison. .
According to the current version of the local national security law, the crime of sedition can be punishable by imprisonment from one to eight years, as stipulated in Article 4. Acts of sedition, as described in current law, are intended for those who publicly and directly incite others to commit treason, secession, or overthrow of the central government.
Theft of State Secrets, as defined in Section 5 of the current Local National Security Act, means stealing, collecting, or obtaining State Secrets to protect the independence of the State, the unity and integrity of the State, or its A person who endangers or impairs internal or external security. Offenders face prison sentences of two to eight years.
However, according to Article 5, any person who engages in such activities after receiving instructions, orders, money or valuables from any government, organization or body outside the MSAR shall be punished with imprisonment from 3 to 10 years. be done.
At ongoing public hearings, local governments are proposing that separation or overthrow by non-violent, illegal means should also be punishable. Attempts to engage in such activities.
Public consultations currently underway propose adding a number of new criminal offenses to local national security laws, such as the crime of sedition or aiding sedition. The powers that rule the country should also be punished.
The current version of this law refers only to the central government.
During Saturday’s session, Wong noted that the maximum 25-year prison sentence for certain crimes listed in current local national security laws is a very heavy sentence. The Macau Post Daily reported that the revised bill proposed by the government does not aim to impose serious penalties on potential criminals, it added. .
Meanwhile, Wong also said local governments are aware of several Macau civil servants ‘liked’ posts on social media About Hong Kong’s 2019 violent protests against the government.
Mr Wong said that it is not a crime to “like” such posts, but that this could be a “dangerous” signal regarding the protection of Macau’s national security, which he said was a “dangerous” signal regarding the protection of Macau’s education and national security. He said it could indicate that something might have gone wrong with the security culture. .
