The legislature’s Transportation Committee yesterday gave preliminary approval to amendments of the Telecommunications Management Act (電信管理法) and several other laws that are designed to reinforce the protection of key national infrastructure.
The committee reviewed draft amendments to the Telecommunications Management Act, the Meteorological Act (氣象法), the Commercial Port Act (商港法), and the Shipping Act (船舶法).
The approved amendments include allowing government authorities to seize vessels, tools or mechanical equipment used in the commission of a crime regardless of ownership to prevent repeat offenses and requiring ships to keep their automatic identification system (AIS) functioning properly and to provide accurate information. Authorities would be empowered to seize vessels that are detained and found to be using false identities.
Photo: screen grab from the Legislative Yuan livestream
One of the approved amendments further specifies that anyone who, through negligence or by other unlawful means, damages or impairs the normal functioning of meteorological facilities or equipment would face up to six months’ imprisonment, detention, or a fine of up to NT$2 million (US$63,631).
Another amendment states that if a vessel anchored within a commercial port area is deemed by the port operator, the Maritime and Port Bureau, or another designated authority to be obstructing berthing space or compromising port safety, it would be ordered to leave the port within three months or to relocate to a designated berth. If the vessel fails to relocate as instructed, the authority could move the vessel itself and subsequently order it to leave the port within three months. Further noncompliance could lead to vessel seizure.
Separately, the legislature’s Economics Committee completed a preliminary review of amendments to the Electricity Act (電業法), the Natural Gas Enterprise Act (天然氣事業法), and the Water Supply Act (自來水法).
Based on the approved amendments, anyone who intentionally damages underwater pipelines, natural gas pipelines, or submarine cables would face a prison sentence of up to seven years, and vessels used in the offense would be seized regardless of ownership.
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