Former Basic Law drafter hit out at the National Security Bill yesterday in an interview by Cable TV.

 

Louis Cha, the former Basic Law Drafting Committee member, said the National Security Bill was an attempt to damage the spirit of Hong Kong's mini-constitution by trying to introduce Chinese legal concepts into Hong Kong, against the spirit of the Common Law.

 

He said it was not surprising that the bill was not well received by citizens, adding that the SAR government only had itself to blame for the current political situation. "[Under Article 23 as originally proposed] security officers can search your home and arrest you. To apply these laws to Hong Kong would scare the life out of Hong Kong people,'' He said. "If 500,000 people took to the streets on the mainland, the People's Liberation Army would shoot. It doesn't work …… Article 23 will bring huge changes, that's why people took to the streets.''

 

He also revealed he had considered joining the mass demonstration on July 1, but was advised by "friends'' not to enter into a public confrontation with the government. Once a staunch supporter of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, Cha said he was "disappointed'' with the government, which he believes lacks determination and courage.

 

"Tung should be brave enough to apologise to the public,'' he said. "I agree with what Premier Wen Jiabao said. [The government] needs to be determined and courageous. I believe what he meant is that they now lack determination, courage and action,'' he said.

 

Cha recalled that, during the Basic Law drafting process, the late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping reminded them the main aim of the implementation of one-country, two systems was to set a role model for Taiwan. But events in Hong Kong were scaring Taiwan off, He said.

 

A government spokesman said last night: "In no way have mainland legal concepts been extended to the HKSAR, nor is there any intention to create a new ordinance. Three existing ordinances will be amended to clearly specify those acts endangering national security as required to be prohibited by the Basic Law,'' he said.

 

Government issued a statement last night in response to Louis Cha's comments. To view the statement, please see the enclosed.