The Legislative Yuan today passed the third reading of amendments stipulating that intentionally damaging undersea power cables or pipelines would be punishable by up to seven years in prison, and that the vessel responsible could be confiscated.
Earlier this year, the captain of the Chinese-crewed freighter Hong Tai 58 (宏泰58) was sentenced to three years in prison under the Telecommunications Management Act (電信管理法) for intentionally damaging the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 undersea cable.
Prosecutors said that the law should be amended to increase the severity of the punishment for the crime.
Photo: Taipei Times file
The Executive Yuan on Sept. 18 put forth amendments to seven laws, the Telecommunications Management Act, the Water Supply Act (自來水法), the Electricity Act (電業法), the Natural Gas Enterprise Act (天然氣事業法), the Meteorological Act (氣象法), the Commercial Port Law (商港法) and the Law of Ships (船舶法), to protect critical underwater infrastructure.
The amendments would apply the same penalties for damaging water and natural gas pipelines to damaging submarine cables.
They also include provisions for confiscating vessels used in such crimes, while requiring all ships to keep their automatic identification systems on or face penalties.
The Legislative Yuan this morning passed part of the Executive Yuan’s proposed changes, amending the Electricity Act, Natural Gas Enterprise Act and Water Supply Act.
The passed amendments stipulate that unlawfully damaging undersea water pipes or power cables that ensure normal water supply and electricity is punishable by one to seven years in prison and a fine of up to NT$10 million (US$321,048).
Negligent offenses would be handled according to the Telecommunications Management Act and punishable by up to six months in prison, detention or a fine up to NT$2 million.
In addition, any tools, vessels or equipment used in committing an offense could be confiscated and disposed of, regardless of ownership, to prevent repeat offenses, the amendments state.
The legislature also approved a resolution requiring the Ministry of the Interior to publish maps of undersea pipes and cables before amendments to all seven laws take effect.
The reason for making the data public is to prevent offenders from claiming they were unaware of cable and pipeline locations, clarify intent or negligence, improve public understanding to avoid contraventions and support law-enforcement and investigative efforts, legislators said.
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