Govt weighing up using emergency law: Teresa Cheng

Govt weighing up using emergency law: Teresa Cheng

Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng has confirmed media reports that officials have been studying the various issues involved in any move to use emergency powers to try to bring the city's months-long protests to an end.



Cheng said the administration understands the potential impact on the SAR, were the Chief Executive to make use of the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, and have therefore been considering whether such a step is necessary.



Invoking the ordinance would give the CE sweeping powers, among other things enabling her to order curfews, arrests, deportations, property seizures and press censorship.



Cheng also told the media that her department has been studying the idea of introducing a law to ban protesters from wearing masks, although she did not elaborate.



Pro-Beijing legislators have called for such a ban, saying people would be put off from joining protests if they were unable to hide their faces.



Asked about opinion polls that suggest she is one of the SAR's most unpopular officials, Cheng said recent events have affected society, the government as a whole and her personally. She added that the adminstration will continue to work hard to serve the public.