Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has proposed revisions to existing laws that would set or increase penalties for spreading misinformation and failing to comply with mobilization or requisition orders during wartime.
The draft revisions to the All-out Defense Mobilization Readiness Act were proposed by the ministry on Feb. 21 and have a 14-day notice period, after which they would need to be approved by the Cabinet and Legislature.
The All-out Defense Mobilization Readiness Act defines two broad categories of mobilization, namely the peacetime “mobilization preparation phase” and the “mobilization implementation phase,” which refers to mobilizations announced by the president in times of national emergency or war.
Under the proposed amendments, individuals who hinder the government’s efforts to requisition goods during the “mobilization implementation phase” by price gouging or hoarding would be subject to 1-7 years in prison and a fine of up to NT$5 million (US$162,843).
Companies would also be liable for fines of up to NT$5 million if such acts are committed by their employees, according to the proposed revisions.
Meanwhile, the ministry’s proposal would set a penalty of up to 7 years imprisonment and NT$7 million in fines for individuals who fail to comply with wartime mobilization or requisition orders.
Specifically, it said, this would apply to people who are drafted and fail to show up at the designated time and place, as well as individuals who do not provide, or who damage or otherwise alter requisitioned goods, information or documents.
In this case, as well, companies could be fined up to NT$7 million if their employees commit the said offenses in the course of their duties.
According to the MND, the proposed provisions would also set a penalty of up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to NT$1 million for people who spread rumors or misinformation about mobilization or requisition policies during wartime, if they reach the threshold of harming others or the public.
In cases where such misinformation is disseminated on the internet, television or radio, the penalties could be increased by up to 50 percent, the draft amendments said.
In its current form, the All-out Defense Mobilization Readiness Act only prescribes fines ranging from NT$20,000 to NT$3 million for failing to comply with or obstructing various mobilization operations.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel