Lawmakers Hail, Raise Concern Over New Police Unit

Pro-establishment lawmakers hailed the move and opposition raised concerns after Security Secretary revealed in a media interview that a special police unit is already being set up to implement the controversial national security law that Beijing is going to impose on the city.

New People’s Party legislator and executive council member Regina Ip said a similar body also existed in the colonial era.

"Before 1997, the Hong Kong government [had] a governor's security committee, which embraces representatives, not only from the police force, but also so-called colony PolMil (political-military), the military intelligence side of the British government," she said.

"So as a newer image of the arrangement before 1997, I think it's entirely reasonable for the Security Bureau to work towards setting up a stronger, more effective national security apparatus on the lines of what we had before 1997."

Ip said a security committee led by the Chief Executive should be set up to coordinate efforts in enforcing the national security law.

But Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai said it's worrying that the police have already rushed to set up a unit even before the law has been drafted.

Lee had said a dedicated unit to be led by police commissioner Chris Tang will enforce the national security law “on the very first day” it comes into effect.

Wu accused the government and the police of bypassing Legco scrutiny and keeping the public in the dark about the details of the new police unit.

"They try to put everything in the black box, and we can know nothing about how the act will be, how the implementation will be, how the execution will be, and how human rights can be protected under the law."

Pro-establishment lawmaker Paul Tse said creation of a special unit was expected as it will "cover new areas".

Beijing and Hong Kong government officials say the security law is aimed against acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in city affairs. It is expected to be passed later this month.

But opposition, legal experts and human rights activists have characterised the law as a means to suppress freedoms and political opposition.

Some financial experts have also raised concerns that the new law will see Hong Kong lose its status as global financial hub due to the global concerns. The US had already said the implementation could jeopardise Hong Kong's special trade status with the country.