SECRETARY of Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee launched another scathing attack on the Falun Gong yesterday, branding it fanatical, superstitious and devious.
She told the Legislative Council Security Panel the sect could lead believers to commit harmful acts and it should be monitored to prevent followers hurting themselves by blindly following irrational behaviour.
Mrs Ip told legislators that having read Falun Gong's teachings she believed it had ``the characteristics of being a fanatical'' group.
She compared the writings of Falun Gong guru Li Hongzhi with Zu Warriors of the Magic Mountain, a Chinese martial arts story about mythical characters set in an ancient magical era.
``Many of its contents bear Chinese traditional superstitious beliefs,'' she said, citing the fact that practitioners were not encouraged to seek medication if they fell ill.
``Their readings promote nothing but superstitions. I thought I was reading Zu Warriors of the Magic Mountain,'' she said.
``The writings encourage people to practise to stages like `Cultivation of Mind and Body', `Primordial Spirit Left the Body' and `Omniscient Celestial Eye'.''
Mrs Ip said the group's unique characteristic was that it was very ``devious''.
``They deny Falun Gong is a religion, but at the same time position themselves above all religions, even superior to Buddhism,'' she said. ``To prevent some possible believers from blindly following irrational behaviour such as avoiding medical treatment when sick or even self-immolation, why can't we keep an eye on them? We're simply monitoring.''
Responding to panel member Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee's concern that by such action the Security Bureau was monitoring thoughts and beliefs, Mrs Ip replied: ``The rights of conscience and beliefs are protected by law.
``However, manifested behaviour is excluded because it could affect other people.''
Another panel member Emily Lau Wai-hing challenged whether the bureau's jurisdiction would include any ``high-profile, organised societies which point their spears at the Central Government''.
``Should anyone or any organisation with these characteristics be monitored by the bureau?'' Ms Lau asked. Mrs Ip responded that it was legal to protest, even against the Central Government.
``But Falun Dafa is an organisation with a fanatical characteristics.
``Not only are they organised and resourceful, their beliefs are also distorted and devious,'' she said.
She insisted the government was only worried about whether Falun Gong created social disturbance and threatened public safety and order.
``Britain, the USA and a lot of media also monitor Falun Gong. Why can't the Security Bureau?'' Mrs Ip said.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong members of the mainland's top advisory body may raise the Falun Gong issue during discussions in Beijing.
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Standing Committee member Xu Simin disclosed yesterday that a working committee of the advisory body had recently compiled a report on the sect in Hong Kong.
He would not say whether Hong Kong members would discuss the report in the coming plenary session.
Mr Xu met Vice-Premier Qian Qichen yesterday in his capacity as a member of the Federation of Overseas Chinese. Mr Qian talked about Falun Gong at the meeting but ``had not targeted the sect in Hong Kong'', Mr Xu said.