The Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, reiterated today that the Immigration Department of the Public Security Police Force was empowered to approve or deny entry application of visitors in accordance with the law.

Asked about some Hong Kong residents who were denied entry to Macao recently, Mr Cheong said frontline officers had to examine the travel document, the purpose of visit and other criteria to determine whether to approve or deny the entry application of visitors.

He said that denying entry to individuals was within the legitimate power of the police.