Change Outdated Laws On Prop Money: Ma Fung-kwok

The lawmaker representing the Sports, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication sector has called for change in regulations, a day after two men were convicted for holding fake banknotes intended for movie-making.

Ma Fung-kwok said current regulations governing the use of prop money are outdated.

Film props company owner Cheung Wai-chuen and logistics firm employer Law Yun-lam were given suspended jail sentences on Thursday for possessing counterfeit cash.

Ma said he was concerned by the ruling and offered to help if Cheung and Law plan to appeal over their case.

He added that he has written to the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Commerce and Economic Development Department to demand improvements to current restrictions on the use of prop money.

He noted that it would ruin the audience's enjoyment of a film if they see the word "prop" on fake banknotes. He said it would also be "not ideal" to destroy prop money after every use.

But Senior Counsel Ronny Tong defended the regulations. He said it’s important for an international financial centre like Hong Kong to have strict laws regulating the production of fake money.

Tong said the filmmakers could have applied to the Monetary Authority for exemptions if they wanted to produce fake cash for film production.

He told RTHK's Wendy Wong that other financial centres like New York and Singapore also have similar laws.