Policy Address | Security: CCTV surveillance cameras don’t equal democracy suppression

Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak stressed yesterday during the Policy Address presentation at the Legislative Assembly (AL) that the public should be aware that CCTV surveillance cameras will not compromise democratic movements.

In yesterday’s AL, Wong expressed his admiration for mainland China’s CCTV surveillance camera system.

Wong has mentioned mainland China’s advanced skills in installing surveillance cameras multiple times. When Sulu Sou pointed out Wong’s specific appreciation for mainland China’s surveillance system, Wong noted that London also features a well-developed surveillance system.

“Is London [undermining] democratic movements? This is wrong [assuming surveillance cameras compromise democratic movements],” declared Wong.

Wong said that installing more CCTV surveillance cameras in town is a “great tendency.” Wong expressed his opinion at the AL, which marked the second time Wong has commented on how to make a city secure.

Lawmaker Ma Chi Seng strongly urged Wong to speed up the installation of more cameras in town.

Wong approved Ma’s words, saying that “many countries are doing these things.”

“Mainland [China] is very advanced in this aspect. It can annihilate several crimes and security incidents in their beginning, or, at least [it] can reduce the level of [consequences] of security accidents,” explained Wong, adding “even though it [the surveillance system] does not wipe out or reduce [incidents], it […] can help the police with their investigations. This is a top priority task. So we included it in the first chapter of our policy address for next year.”

The secretary proudly revealed that he visited several places across mainland China to gain experience in installing CCTV surveillance cameras in the Macau territory.

“We are investing efforts in works of this nature. Mainland [China] is developing rapidly [in this field]. I have already visited Guangdong and Shanghai, and I am preparing to visit Zhejiang. Zhejiang is developing very [quickly…] especially concerning anti-terrorism procedures. These advantages are really worth[while] for us to refer to,” said Wong.

The secretary noted that “[the police] can follow the flow by sensitive people or by terrorists.” He then claimed that installing more cameras will “have a very important effect” on improving public security, traffic flow, the flow of pedestrians, and in decreasing general risk levels within the city.

“We can save precious time on investigations. Before, [an investigation] would require several days, but [afterwards] it can be solved in seconds,” pointed out Wong.

The Secretary for Security also remarked that the police authority is “preparing to refer to [the] mainland’s experience” and to initiate the drafting of a law regarding security.

Regarding democratic movements, lawmaker Ng Kuok Cheong feels that the police authority abused its power in prosecutions against demonstrators.

“In a civilized society, people can express their opinions resorting to peaceful methods. […] Macau people have always been peaceful. Most demonstrations were carried out in calm environments,” said Ng, who then asked if Macau had entered “a period of political prosecution and suppression?”

“[Saying that the police force] is abusing [its power to make] prosecutions is an insult to the police. […] The police are enforcing the law according to its rules,” clarified Wong.

According to the secretary, from 2014 until now, 46 men and 12 women involved in two protests and two assemblies were prosecuted due to their actions during these events.

During the same period, there was a total of 1,882 assemblies and 147 demonstrations.

Controversial border control policy

LAWMAKER NG Kuok Cheong has some doubts regarding the region’s border control policy, which has even “banned scholars, social workers, journalists […] and a one-year-old child” from entering Macau. “I have addressed [the topic of] banning entries. Any country or region has the right and responsibility to protect their local security. It works the same in the whole world. The United States even listed a [whole] country to be subject to travel bans,” said Wong, who then questioned “why is it not a problem for countries to aim at a whole country, but I cannot do the same when targeting individuals?” He said that he hopes the public stands behind him on this issue.

No freedom for all speech, says Wong Sio Chak

Wong Sio Chak has said that there is no guaranteed freedom for all speech when he was questioned by two lawmakers, Sulu Sou and Ng Kuok Cheong, regarding Macau’s freedom of speech.

Ng reminded that two senior citizens were prosecuted earlier this year after sharing messages, considered rumors, about Typhoon Hato through a mobile application.

In Ng’s opinion, the public, most of the time, has no way to confirm certain information.

Sou pointed out that some residents claimed to have used a VPN to access a few applications during Typhoon Hato, because these residents were worried the government had somehow interfered.

Sou asked if Macau’s freedom of communication will step towards mainland China’s style.

“[Regarding] the cyber security law, it did not go through public consultation at all. […] Nobody has seen the contents of the bill,” complained Sou.

Sou asked Wong if the police authority “would violate residents’ right of freedom of speech […], now and in the future, in the name of social security.”

“My doubt is why [you] ask me? Why don’t you ask the telecommunication department? If you suspect that there is a crime, you can report it. If the internet is unstable, we are not responsible for it. […] We have always been enforcing laws according to their rules. Not all speech is free,” said Wong.

“All speech needs to be controlled within the law, […] it is not absolutely free, including speech online. We are supervising according to the law,” said Wong.