A LAW regulating phone tapping - the last bill to be passed by the Legislative Council - must be repealed, government officials said yesterday.
The Security Branch said the bill, moved by the Democratic Party's James To Kun-sun, posed big problems for the police and other law enforcement agencies.
'The enactment of the bill would seriously and adversely affect law enforcement work, which would only benefit criminals,' a branch statement said.
'As a responsible administration, we have no option but to seek to repeal it as soon as possible.' Secretary for Justice-designate Elsie Leung Oi-see said earlier this week that the handover government would review several laws on workers' rights, but it is the first time the present administration has recommended that a bill be overturned.
'The Government put forward a white bill on the interception of communications earlier this year but did not table it because they considered it would not have support,' said Mr To last night.
'Now a similar bill is passed and the administration say they will repeal it. This is a blatant hypocrisy.' Under the Interception of Communications Bill 1997, law enforcement officers must obtain judicial authorisation before tapping phones.
