Six persons involved in five cases of illegal disposal of waste in Kwai Chung, North District and Yuen Long were convicted and fined a total of $24,500 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (April 9) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) or the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation. These are successful convictions against illegal disposal of waste based on information and evidence gathered through various channels following five successful prosecutions of the same kind brought about by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) last Tuesday (April 2).

     In September and October last year, the EPD successfully traced two drivers, two owners of goods vehicles and one person who illegally disposed of commercial and industrial (C&I) waste as well as construction waste in a public place in Tsiu Keng Lo Wai in North District, Kwai Hei Street in Kwai Chung and an area adjacent to the refuse collection point in San Sang Tsuen in Yuen Long based on videos and photos from members of the public, the surveillance camera system installed by the EPD and referrals from the relevant department. The waste illegally dumped included wooden furniture, mattresses, waste paper and construction waste. In addition, during a proactive inspection, the EPD successfully intercepted a responsible person of works illegally disposing of construction waste at a private lot on Lin Ma Hang Road in North District without the valid permission from the land owner. After collecting evidence, the EPD prosecuted the six persons involved in the five cases under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation or the WDO.

     A spokesman for the EPD reminded all members of the renovation, construction and transportation sectors, including persons-in-charge of construction sites, workers and drivers as well as owners of goods vehicles, that they must properly deliver construction waste and C&I waste to the government waste management facilities in accordance with the law. It is unlawful to dispose of waste in public places or on the roadside. Under the WDO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. A maximum fine of $500,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions. According to the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, it is an offense to dispose of waste on the streets or in public places from vehicles, including goods vehicles, private cars and motorcycles. The registered owner may be prosecuted. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     The spokesman urged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of waste. They can record videos or take photos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111.

     The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will visit France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Austria from April 11 to 18.

     Ms Cheng will depart for Paris, France, in the early hours on April 11. During her stay in Paris, Luxembourg, The Hague and Vienna, she will attend a number of events to promote Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services. She will also call on various courts, government departments, international organisations and more. Ms Cheng will conclude her visit in Vienna, Austria, on April 18.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

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Hong Kong Monetary Authority Tenders to be held in the week beginning April 15:
 

     After conducting a thorough search for the Register of Electors of the polling station located at SKH Tsing Yi Estate Ho Chak Wan Primary School in the 2016 Legislative Council General Election, the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) today (April 9) confirmed that the Register could not be found.
 
     The Register of Electors contains the name, sex, address and Hong Kong identity card number for about 8 000 electors assigned to that polling station.
 
     "The Register could show whether an individual elector was issued ballot papers at the polling station, but it does not show the choices made on the votes," a spokesman for the REO said.
 
     "The REO has officially reported the case to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and the Police. Action will also be taken promptly to notify all affected electors to mitigate any possible damage.
 
     "We will send letters to government departments and organisations in different sectors that have a higher degree of handling personal data, including those involved in finance, insurance, telecommunications, retail, property, information technology and more, to alert them to the incident.
 
     "The REO extends its sincere apology to the electors concerned in the incident. The REO will fully co-operate with the Police and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data on their investigations. We will submit a detailed report to the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC). In addition, we will fully assist in the investigation by the EAC. The REO will make improvements in various aspects including administrative management, internal communication, operational workflow and staff training based on the findings and recommendations by the EAC.
 
     "The REO will learn the lesson and follow up on the incident in a serious manner. We will do our utmost to prevent recurrence of similar incidents."

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 Bank of East Asia, Limited on fraudulent website, 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 website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website 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.