CCTV surveillance for illegal land occupations

The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) is considering installing CCTV surveillance cameras to monitor incidents of illegal occupation of land, DSSOPT director Li Canfeng revealed last Friday during the AL plenary meeting.

Li said that areas are often illegally occupied and that his department has already handled several such cases. He further indicated that government alerts have little effect and that it is not possible to constantly monitor such incidents.

“Sometimes, it is really [impossible] to watch,” he said.

Li revealed that the DSSOPT is conducting studies on the installation of CCTV cameras and that it is collaborating with other governmental department to combat this issue.

He pointed out that it is not easy to find the parties responsible and that the government needs a long time to address violations appropriately.

According to Li, perpetrators simply move their construction materials elsewhere upon receiving a warning. Police reports will not solve the problem indefinitely, he added.

Several lawmakers, including Au Kam San, voiced their opinions on the topic, pointing out that the government should step up penalties for such violations.

The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosario, said that the government has “tried its best” to handle cases of illegal land occupation. However, due to the large number of cases, the government is pressed for time.

The Secretary also emphasized that the true culprits are not the government, and that those who illegally occupy the lands are aware that the property is state-owned.

Raimundo added that the government has always been able to successfully retake lands when societal development has called for it.