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Passage of crime bill in balance

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SCMP Reporter

GOVERNMENT officials were last night frantically lobbying legislators to dump three contentious amendments which threaten the passage today of the Organised and Serious Crimes Bill.

It is understood independents and the Liberal Party were being pressured to ignore the changes and push through the draft legislation.

Key independent Emily Lau Wai-hing last night said she was still undecided about the amendments.

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Officials are worried a Democratic Party proposal might ruin a two-year campaign to bolster the police fight against organised crime.

Senior officials said the changes - including a bid to allow those involved in one-off offences to escape the bill's reach - would 'fatally weaken' the law.

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'We have enough safeguards in this bill to prevent the willful and capricious misuse of the law,' said a top administration figure.

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