Government urged to clarify message on Games security

Government urged to clarify message on Games security


The government should review how it disseminates information to the public in the wake of confusing remarks over security threats to Hong Kong as host of Olympic equestrian events, a top sporting official said.

Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China president Timothy Fok Tsun-ting was commenting on Monday's remarks by immigration director Simon Peh Yun-lu, in which he said intelligence suggested people intended to disrupt the equestrian events in August.

Peh's remark was swiftly refuted by the government when it said there was no intelligence to suggest Hong Kong was a likely terrorist target during the Games, and that the security level was moderate.

Fok said it was important to assure the public that Hong Kong was capable of hosting the events successfully and to allay the fears of visitors.

"Hong Kong is known as one of the safest cities in the world with years of experience in hosting major international events, " Fok said. "Many visitors are planning to come to Hong Kong and we have about a month to prepare. A clearer message should be sent."

He said confusing messages from different government departments could have been the result of each being "very concerned" over security arrangements.

Fok said he had not been formally told of any change in the security situation.

The International Olympic Committee, he added, is satisfied with Hong Kong's arrangements for the equestrian events.

The Security Bureau said yesterday that a statement it issued on Monday evening reconfirmed the situation.

"Hypothetically speaking, if there is a change in the security situation that could have affected the livelihood and the safety of the public, the government would have informed the public and advised them to act in accordance with the situation," a spokesman from the Security Bureau said.

The immigration department said that it had no further comment on what its director said on Monday.