Civil protection law | Proposal upholds crime of social alarm

Wong Sio Chak

Following a public consultation process which concluded on Aug. 11, the government has issued a report over the proposed civil protection law. Despite controversy, the report states that the new crime of false social alarm will be applied to those who intentionally spread false rumors during events such as catastrophes, accidents, epidemics or terrorist attacks. It says that “rumors can introduce panic and confusion in society and its consequences can be more devastating than the actual sudden incident in terms of threat to the public.”

The new crime will be punishable with penalties that go up to a three- year prison term. During the public consultation, groups such as the Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) questioned the establishment of a crime of social alarm. In a letter to the Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, AIPIM noted that the introduction of the crime is “causing concerns amongst the journalistic community.” The letter argued that the Penal Code “already has the answers on what is being avoided with the drafting of a new type of crime,” meaning the new crime could be redundant.

However, the report states that “rumors that are used to instill panic and confusion amongst the community when facing dangerous situations” are not “in any way safeguarded by freedom of speech.”

The bill includes the creation of the new structure of civil protection, with added responsibilities to be attributed to the Secretary for Security.

Several other measures are proposed, such as the introduction of added responsibilities for public servants who may be required to work during catastrophes. The report states that a new type of subsidy and an insurance policy may be introduced to protect these workers.