HAVE you noticed recently how posses of do-gooders have suddenly appeared in the most unlikely spots in the New Territories, ordering taxpayers about and telling citizens what to do? These infernal busy-bodies usually wear some sort of uniform which they quite wrongly believe gives them authority over the public. It gives them no such rights, so tell them in no uncertain terms.
The only people who can order you to do anything on the streets or in public areas are policemen, either in uniform or after they have produced proof of their identity if they are wearing plain clothes. Virtually nobody else, uniformed members of the military included, has any legal power over you.
Yet in recent times I have been dictated to by the most unlikely folk.
'Go there,' ordered a pair of young Civil Aid Service (CAS) members as I tried to cycle down the designated bike path alongside the Shing Mun River. It turned out the Hong Kong Tourist Association had commandeered both banks of the river for people to watch dragon boat races. The public was barred and the hapless CAS youngsters were left to face people's wrath. It was raining and the paths were empty yet the CAS boys were doing as they were told. Ridiculous.
'Get out of your car and report in that building,' commanded some fellow at the checkpoint leading to the Sai Kung Country Park. I had already been issued a pass for an official ceremony.
This fellow throwing his weight about had a chocolate and white uniform with an ornate hat and looked like a remnant from the Bengal Lancers yet it gave him no authority.
