Regarding the online discussion about the number of traffic lights damaged recently and the extent of the damages, the Transport Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (August 8) responded as follows:

     During the recent protests, about 200 sets of traffic lights were damaged to varying degrees, including some being blackened or with cables cut; and some with components damaged. When circuit abnormalities (such as cables being cut) are detected by the protective device of the power supply of the traffic lights, the power supply will be cut off by the protective device to ensure safety.

     Relevant departments have been fully engaged in the repair works in the past few days. Most of the traffic lights have resumed normal operation. As at 5pm today, seven sets are still being repaired. The EMSD will continue to actively follow up.

     A vehicle distributor was fined $660,000 today (August 8) at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts for contravening the Motor Vehicles (First Registration Tax) Ordinance when selling motor vehicles.

     The vehicle distributor sold 15 private cars at a price higher than the Published Retail Price (PRP) approved by Hong Kong Customs and/or contravening the publication requirement of the retail price from September 2016 to August 2017. The total amount in excess was $650,000.

     The Ordinance stipulates that all registered vehicle distributors shall, before offering a motor vehicle for sale for use in Hong Kong, deliver a PRP to Hong Kong Customs for assessment, which will form the basis for calculating the First Registration Tax. Vehicle distributors shall, upon receipt of the approved PRP, publish in writing the relevant price.

     Under the Ordinance, any person who, without obtaining prior consent of Hong Kong Customs, sells a motor vehicle at a price higher than the approved PRP commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for 12 months.

     Customs appeals to consumers to ask the distributor for a PRP list for reference when considering to buy a vehicle.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the Ordinance to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

     Regarding an online post claiming that some Mainlanders have secretly joined the Hong Kong Police Force for reinforcement, a spokesman for Police stressed today (August 8) that the allegation was absolutely unfounded and was a complete fabrication.
 
     The spokesman stressed that this is just another wild rumour to confuse the public and generate conflicts in the society. Hong Kong Police officers are Hong Kong permanent residents under the command of the Commissioner of Police.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited on phishing email, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the email concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the email should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (August 8) that a site, New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6546 at Kai Tak Area 4C Site 4, Kai Tak, Kowloon, in the 2019-20 Land Sale Programme will be disposed of by public tender. The tender invitation for the lot will commence on August 9 and close on September 20.

     New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6546 has a site area of about 10 692 square metres and is designated for non-industrial (excluding residential, godown and petrol filling station but including hotel) purposes. The minimum gross floor area and the maximum gross floor area are 48 114 sq m and 80 190 sq m respectively.

     Land sale documents including the Form of Tender, the Tender Notice, the Conditions of Sale and the sale plan of the lot will be available for downloading from the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk), and the sale plan will be available for distribution and inspection by the public from August 9, when the particulars of the tender will also be gazetted.