http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news.aspx17 May 2012 12:30:52http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=11532testing news fora asdfasd test new stating deployment edit text this is testing   approve saw added news test 16 July 2010Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=11521test 11 July 2008Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=11516With the Labour Day holiday coming up on 1 May 2008 (Thursday) and the enhanced security checks at the checkpoints, traffic flow through the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy over the next few days. For departures, the build-up is expected to start from 30 April 2008 (Wednesday) evening. For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy over the period from 3 May (Saturday) to 4 May 2008 (Sunday). Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during the peak periods should take note of the following. Travellers Have a Part to Play 2 The best ......29 April 2008Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=11514The butts-to-be? Please allow us to clarify that we are referring to toilet rolls meant for the butts (Yes, those butts) and cigarette butts that are snuffed out at the end of a smoke. How did these two get associated with each other? Well, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers witnessed a meeting of the two butts-to-be this morning at the Arrival Checking Area of Woodlands Checkpoint. 2 Following yesterday’s haul of 2, 009 cartons of cigarettes, at about 0720 hrs this morning, a Malaysia-registered bonded truck driven by a male Malaysian arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The truck ......23 April 2008Press Releaseshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=11513There aren’t many jobs in the world that give you the licence to closely examine the rear, although the derrière in question belonged to a 40-footer trailer. 2. The trailer arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 21 April 2008, at around 11pm. A quick check immediately aroused the suspicions of the officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The rear of the trailer, at the floorboard, appeared to have undergone some recent modifications, such as a fresh coat of paint. When the floorboards were removed, three secret compartments were discovered at the back of the trailer. Each compartment housed ......22 April 2008Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=11512We do not know if they were the “Desperate Housewives” at home like the group of women in the popular American comedy-drama series. But we are certain that they are the “Desperate Trio” seeking to enter Singapore illegally. On 16 April 2008, the vigilant officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) foiled two attempts of illegal entry by three female nationals from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Case 1 2 On 16 April 2008 at about 1810 hrs, a silver Malaysia-registered car, driven by a lone male Malay, arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The car was directed for ......17 April 2008Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=11510Biscuits are amongst one of the favourite tea-time snacks and their tins are particularly useful and often recycled as storage containers. For an Indonesian lady, she decided to make use of her old biscuit tin to smuggle narcotics through Singapore’s borders. The attempt was foiled by the vigilance of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Singapore Cruise Centre. 2 On 10 April 2008 at about 1500hrs, the X-ray screening officer observed anomalies in the scanned image of a biscuit tin. Instead of images of biscuits in the tin, the officer saw silhouettes of capsules. Upon further checks ......11 April 2008Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=11509“Ugh!” That would be the first thought of touching a slimy reptile. With skin that oozes mucus to keep it from drying out, slimy critters aren't exactly cuddly with their slippery skins. Well, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers dealt with these sluggish creatures in a professional manner when they were stowed away to Singapore. 2 On 6 April 2008 at about 1550 hours, a male Malaysian man was caught by the ICA officers at Changi Airport for attempting to smuggle in 26 pieces of live reptiles / fish -- 19 pieces of live mantella and geckos, 6 pieces ......07 April 2008Press Releaseshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=9The stepped-up checks for Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist, Mas Selamat bin Kastari at the checkpoints have undoubtedly put physical strain on the officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) but their motivation and vigilance levels still run high. With innate senses that can detect even the slightest anomaly, the ICA officers have once again proven their commitment to Singapore's security with the detection of two contraband smuggling cases in a span of less than four hours. Case 1: Sense of Touch -- Weighty Contrabands2 On 25 March 2008 at about 1815 hrs, a Malaysia-registered car driven by a male Malaysian ......26 March 2008Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2838Under the National Registration Act, an Identity Card (NRIC) holder is required to report his change of residential address within 28 days. With effect from 1 April 2008, documentary evidence would be required if a NRIC holder wishes to change his address on the NRIC. A new requirement for enhanced security 2. The new requirement is a security measure to prevent errant IC holders from falsely reporting changes of addresses, thereby protecting the bona fide residents. About the new procedure 3. Changes of address on the NRIC can be done at the ICA Building, or at any Neighbourhood Police Post ......25 March 2008Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4441ST Forum Steps to speed up checks despite tighter security 447 words 24 March 2008 Straits Times English (c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited [by]Eunice Chu (Ms) Deputy Director, Corporate Communications Division For Commissioner, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority [/by] I REFER to the report, 'Stricter checks at border points till fugitive is nabbed', and the letters, 'Act to ease Causeway traffic' and 'Isn't it time to use whatever we can to make things better?' (March 18). The report said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had announced, on March 17, stricter checks at the checkpoints that included fingerprint scans for ......24 March 2008Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4437ST Forum Causeway jam: ICA doing its best to ease woes 128 words 20 March 2008 Straits Times English (c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited I REFER to last Friday's letter by Mr Lu Qimin, 'Install portable loos to ease Causeway wait'. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is doing its best to facilitate travel while maximising border-security efforts. Every officer available has been deployed to conduct security checks. ICA has also augmented its manpower with resources from other Home Team departments. However, such security checks take time and we seek the understanding and cooperation of all travellers. ICA has ......20 March 2008Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2835Security at the checkpoints has been enhanced. With the Good Friday holiday coming up on 21 March 2008 (Friday) and the stepped-up checks at the checkpoints, traffic flow through the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy over the coming weekend. For departures, the build-up is expected to start from 20 March 2008 (Thursday) evening. For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy over the period from 23 March (Sunday) to 24 March 2008 (Monday). Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during the peak periods should take note of the following. Travellers Have a Part ......18 March 2008Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=12Security at the checkpoints has been enhanced. With the March school holidays coming up from 8 March 2008 (Saturday) and the stepped-up checks at the checkpoints, traffic flow through the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy over the two coming weekends. For departures, the build-up is expected to start from 7 March 2008 (Friday) evening. For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy over the period from 15 March (Saturday) to 16 March 2008 (Sunday). Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during the peak periods should take note of the following. Travellers Have a ......05 March 2008Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=444011 February 2008 Straits Times [by]Lim Jing Jing (Ms) Deputy Head, Public & Internal Communications for Commissioner Immigration & Checkpoints Authority[/by] I REFER to Mr Michael Dietrich's letter, 'Will PR status be renewed if retiree is not a burden?' (ST, Feb 4). It is heartening that Mr Dietrich sees Singapore as his preferred country to settle in after his retirement. We welcome foreigners, like Mr Dietrich, who not only contributed to our society, but can also identify with our way of life and are willing to make Singapore their home. While there is no expiry date for the Singapore permanent ......11 February 2008Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2828As we prepare to usher in the Year of the Rat, families traditionally gather together for a reunion dinner on Lunar New Year's Eve. For 37 immigration offenders, they will be fulfilling this time-honored tradition behind bars. 2 As Singapore slumbers in the wee hours of 4 February 2008, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted a series of raids against immigration offenders (IOs) sanctuaries at HDB units and an unlicensed lodging house.3 The series of raids resulted in the arrest of 37 immigration offenders, 1 Myanmese harbourer and 4 Singaporean harbourers. These immigration offenders comprising mainly nationals ......05 February 2008Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2837With the Lunar New Year coming up on 7 February 2008 (Thursday), traffic flow through the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy. For departures, the build-up is expected to start from 1 February 2008 (Friday) evening. For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy on 12 February 2008 (Tuesday). Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during the peak periods should take note of the following. Travellers Have a Part to Play2 The best way to avoid the congestion is to adjust your travel plans and avoid the peak periods altogether. Traffic build-up is inevitable ......01 February 2008Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2833On 30 January 2008, Singapore Customs, Singapore Police Force and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority conducted a joint operation to flush out illegal immigrants peddling contraband cigarettes at two locations – at the vicinity of the Yew Tee Industrial estate and along Petir Road. The 2-hour operation from 10 pm to 12 midnight resulted in the arrest of 10 immigration offenders, as well as seizures of 611 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes. The duty and GST payable on the contraband cigarettes amounted to $4,893.92. The raid at Yew Tee resulted in 4 men caught, as well as 368 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes ......31 January 2008Joint Operationshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2829The assortment of contraband items uncovered at the checkpoints is truly mind-boggling. This morning at 5.20am, officers of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) saw fireworks at the checkpoint.2. The case was detected at the Woodlands Checkpoint, where a Singapore-registered car was stopped for a routine check. When the ICA officer looked into the car through its window, he observed that the floor was abnormally high. When the mat was lifted, packages of fireworks were found. Further checks conducted by ICA officers uncovered more assorted fireworks near the rear passenger seat and in the spare tyre compartment. 3. When interviewed, ......25 January 2008Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2839From 1 February 2008, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will no longer issue Professional Visit Passes (PVP) to foreigners working in Singapore on short term assignments. MOM will instead introduce two new Work Pass categories for such foreigners - the Miscellaneous Work Pass and the Work Permit (Performing Artiste).2 In addition, MOM would continue to exempt foreigners currently exempted under the PVP scheme as well as those performing two new short-term activities from having to obtain a Work Pass. Miscellaneous Work Pass 3 Instead of applying for a PVP, the following groups of foreigners will need to apply for ......25 January 2008Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2840Click here for full news release. 24 January 2008Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2830Case 1We were so impressed that we had to arrest him to take a closer at how he did it.2. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had received a tip-off that a man would be carrying forged Singapore identity cards and other passes into Singapore. On 24 January 2008, at around 6.35am, we spotted him seeking immigration clearance at the counter in the arrival bus hall of the Woodlands Checkpoint. He did not know that we had been waiting for him. After his immigration clearance, ICA officers quickly pounced on him and escorted him to the office for investigations.3. In ......24 January 2008Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=10Case 1Since early January 2008, a group of foreigners have been acting as runners for a syndicate selling duty-unpaid cigarettes in Singapore. Unknown to them, the days of their illegal activities were numbered as the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had been monitoring them. 2. On 18 January 2008, ICA officers and their partners in Singapore Customs (SC) decided to launch an operation to nab them. At around 6.30pm, two female suspects were spotted loitering at a multi-storey car park at Woodlands Circle. They were approaching two men who were arriving in a taxi. At this juncture, the officers moved ......22 January 2008Joint Operationshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2831Since December 2007, a group of immigration offenders had been stealing copper wire cables from places around Singapore. These immigration offenders were said to be staying in forested areas off Marsiling. In the afternoons, they would reconnoitre around Singapore for suitable targets. They would then commit the crime at these targeted areas in the dark of the night. After the theft was done, they would bring the stolen items to a deserted area for stripping and dismantling. The copper wires would then be sold to shops dealing in used metal parts.2. Unknown to them, ICA officers had been monitoring them. ......17 January 2008Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2832It was the freshly-painted rivets on the container lorry that kept our officers riveted. Suspecting that there could be something amiss, they took a closer look at the vehicle. The inner length of the container was observed to be significantly shorter than its exterior. 2. The Malaysian-registered lorry, which had arrived at the cargo complex of Woodlands Checkpoint on 7 January 2008, at around 8.20pm, was then directed for further checks. It did not take long for the secret compartment to be uncovered. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers soon discovered that duty-unpaid cigarettes were hidden at the front ......08 January 2008Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2841The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers were not expecting to end the year on such a 'high' note through the detection of a sizeable stash of suspected cannabis, among other contraband items. Case 1 2. On 28 December 2007, at around 12.50am, a male Singaporean was stopped at the Arrival Bus Hall of the Woodlands Checkpoint for routine checks. When asked to empty the contents of his pocket, he appeared nervous and hesitant. Further checks revealed that there were two blocks of a greenish substance wrapped in clear plastic in his jeans pockets. The substance was suspected to be ......28 December 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4445天下事／交流站 答复每项学生准证的申请都按个别情况评估 153 words 22 December 2007 联合早报 (简体) 24 Chinese - Simplified (c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited 　　谨答复《联合早报•交流站》于12月14日刊登的张美香读者投函《持有S Pass儿子就不能来新求学吗？》: 　　移民与关卡局是根据现有的政策和条例处理所有的申请。每项申请也会视其个别情况进行评估。我们之前已经向张读者解释，我们不能批准她为孩子申请的学生准证。 移民与关卡局副主任(公众与内部联系组) 林晶晶 天下事／交流 持有S Pass儿子就不能来新求学吗？ 张美香 738 words 14 December 2007 联合早报 (简体) 25 Chinese - Simplified (c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited 我是持S Pass准证、在本地工作的中国护士，最近为儿子申请办学生准证（我并非申请dependant pass)，却不获批准。我不禁要问：“ 为什么父母在这里持S Pass工作的外国人士，其孩子反而因母亲持S Pass而被拒签？难道我真心为新加坡的发展尽一份绵薄贡献，尽力为新加坡人民服务，反而因此剥夺了我的孩子来新加坡学习的机会？” 　　我是一名在护理岗位上工作了20年的护士，在中国时已是月薪 5000元的护士长。三年前，我放弃了去西方国家优厚待遇的工作机会，带着浓厚纯朴的华人亲情，选择来新加坡工作。为了取得注册护士执照，我每天起早摸黑，几乎每天20小时刻苦学习，经过十个多月学习和实践，考取了注册护士的执照，被聘到国立大学医院当注册护士，工作至今。 　　工作伊始，因语言障碍和工作压力，我全心地投入到工作和学习中，顾不上远在中国的我唯一的儿子，也暂时忘却了丈夫，父母和亲人。三年后，工作已上轨道，我希望被我忽略了一段时日的孩子能来到我的身边，让我尽母亲的责任，让儿子到新加坡受最优质的教育，也弥补三年来孩子缺失的母爱。 　　最近，我找了一家语言中心学校，为儿子办理学生签证。和儿子同时申请的其他孩子（他们的父母不在这里工作），在两周左右就先后得到了学生证被批准的消息。可是儿子的申请却一直迟迟未批下，直到前几天，儿子要就读的学校方面才通知我：“你的儿子被拒签了！”我当时真的痛苦极了。 　　次日（本月8日）早上六点钟，我去移民与关卡局（ICA）排队，等到九点，一个马来女签证官会见了我，她告诉我：“由于你持的是一种工作签证，所以你的儿子就被拒签，这是政策。” 　　我立即哽噎了，归途中默默流泪、自责：是我的工作剥夺了他来新加坡学习的机会。我真的很无奈，很无助，我该怎么办呢？难道说现在只有我放弃了我热爱的护理工作，立即离开我一向真心、细心护理的多位垂危的癌症病人，回到中国，我儿子才有机会申请到学生签证吗？才有机会来这里受教育吗？ 　　我盼望有关方面能给我回复，指示我是否有更好的解决途径。 22 December 2007Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2842With the approach of Hari Raya Haji on 20 December 2007 (Thursday) and Christmas on 25 December 2007 (Tuesday), traffic flow through the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy from 19 to 26 December 2007. For departures, the build-up is expected to start from 19 December 2007 (Wednesday) morning. For arrivals, the traffic is expected to be heavy from the afternoon of 25 December 2007 (Tuesday). Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during the peak periods should take note of the following.Travellers Have a Part to Play2. The best way to avoid the congestion ......18 December 2007Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2843A van carrying second-hand goods was caught by surprise when officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) were on hand to seize the immigration offenders hidden amongst the goods.2. The Malaysian-registered van was on its way out of Singapore through the Woodlands Checkpoint on 12 December 2007, at around 4.15pm. When a routine search was conducted on the van, two male Bangladesh nationals, aged 22 and 27, were found hiding among the goods. When interviewed, they said that they paid an agent S$500 and S$1,300 respectively to be smuggled out of Singapore. They also claimed that the driver had ......13 December 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8684ST Forum Tabs kept on service levels at Changi Airport 369 words 7 December 2007 Straits Times English (c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited WE THANK Mr Ng Zhou Yang for his feedback, 'Chinese Customs wins with charm offensive' (ST, Nov 27). The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and airport agencies, such as the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs (SC), monitor the level of service rendered by frontline staff at Changi Airport constantly. For example, CAAS recognises and rewards airport frontline staff who provide good service, to encourage staff to go the extra mile. In addition, ......07 December 2007Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2844Once upon a time, the red carpet treatment was reserved for the kings and queens. Now, such lavish reception is laid out to accommodate the steps of important personages. And for two Myanmar nationals, they decided to allow themselves the luxury of first-class hospitality on their departure from Singapore, and covered themselves with a red carpet. However, they did not “leave” happily ever after.2. A Malaysian-registered truck arrived at the Tuas Checkpoint on 29 November 2007 at about 1854 hrs for departure clearance. The truck, driven by a 49 year-old male Malaysian, was directed by the officers from the Immigration ......30 November 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2908The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) understands that some Singaporeans holding the non-biometric passports which had been extended, were unable to enter the US without a valid visa.2 Arising from this, ICA has checked with the US Embassy on the visa requirements for entry into US. The US Embassy has now notified that under the US VWP requirements, passports issued or extended after 26 October 2006 are required to be biometric in order for the holder to enjoy visa waiver entry into US. The US Embassy has conveyed this requirement to all travel agencies and airlines recently. All Singapore Passports ......28 November 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2900Singapore Customs (SC) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted two joint operations on 15 and 20 November 2007, which resulted in the seizure of about 60,000 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes worth over $500,000. 2 On 20 November 2007, SC and ICA crushed a case of a smuggling syndicate using industrial carpets to conceal contraband cigarettes. Officers raiding a warehouse at Tagore Lane found 15 rolls of 3.5 metre long carpets. Unrolling the carpets revealed a cylindrical hollow stashed with cartons of contraband cigarettes. A total of 44,960 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were concealed within the hollowed-out parts of the ......27 November 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4444Give ICs to trusted parties only 260 words 21 November 2007 The New Paper English Copyright 2007, Singapore Press Holdings Limited WE refer to the letter 'A dangerous risk to surrender IC?' (The New Paper, 12 Nov). We agree with the writer that losing an identity card (NRIC) is a serious matter as the lost card may fall into wrong hands and be used for illegal purposes. Hence, the NRIC holder is required to report the loss of his NRIC to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and apply for a replacement card in person at the ICA Building within ......21 November 2007Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2901On 15 November 2007, Singapore Customs (SC) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted a joint operation targeting a Malaysian tour bus suspected to be smuggling contraband cigarettes into Singapore. Five men (four Singaporeans and one Malaysian), aged between 43 and 55 years were arrested. A total of 15,000 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes worth about $135,000 were seized. The duty and GST on the seized cigarettes are estimated to be over $115,000. 2 Arising from investigation leads, SC and ICA officers targeted a Malaysian tour bus in the morning of 15 November 2007. The officers have suspected a tour bus ......16 November 2007Joint Operationshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2909With Deepavali coming up on 8 November 2007 (Thursday), traffic flow through the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy during the coming weekend. For departures, the build-up is expected to start from 7 November 2007 (Wednesday) evening. For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy on 11 November 2007 (Sunday). Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during the peak periods should take note of the following. Travellers Have a Part to Play2 The best way to avoid the congestion is to adjust your travel plans and avoid the peak periods altogether. Traffic build-up is ......05 November 2007Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2845Hot on the heels after the brilliant performance of 16-year-old Johnson Poh who bagged a hole-in-one at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club’s Masters Course Youth League Finals, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers “holed” it with the detection of more than 1.6 million sticks of contraband cigarettes hidden in a manhole of a tanker. 2 On 5 November 2007 at about 1010 hrs, a Malaysia-registered tanker driven by a lone male Malaysian Chinese arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint. Although the tanker was declared as empty, the vigilant ICA officers manning the radiographic scanner noticed anomalies in the ......05 November 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4443ST Forum Why IC not used in airport clearance system 361 words 23 October 2007 Straits Times English (c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited [by]Lim Jing Jing (Ms) Deputy Head Public & Internal Communications for Commissioner Immigration & Checkpoints Authority[/by] I REFER to the letter, 'Use IC, not passport, in airport clearance system' (ST, Oct 15), by Mr Richard Thong Kok Mun. We thank Mr Thong for his feedback and would like to assure him that user-friendliness is an important consideration whenever the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) plans new systems. Before introducing the current enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System ......23 October 2007Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2846In the past, people loved to keep their treasured possessions in tins and hide them under their beds. They believed that their secrets remained safe under the bed without anyone’s knowledge. And the Bangladeshi national thought so too, until his “treasures” of forged immigration extension endorsements and forged Special Passes from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) were found by the ICA officers from under the bed. 2 On the evening of 17 October 2007, ICA officers stopped and checked a 36 year-old male Bangladeshi national at the vicinity of Mustafa Shopping Centre. He was ......18 October 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2902You wouldn’t want such doors for your homes! 448 doors used to conceal duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized by enforcement officers. 2 On 9 October 2007, two government agencies, Singapore Customs (SC) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted a joint operation against a cigarette smuggling syndicate. Four Chinese male Singaporeans aged between 34 and 43 years old were arrested. A total of 29,529 packets of assorted brands duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized. The duty and GST evaded amount to $227,000 for the seized cigarettes with an estimated value of $266,000.3 From 6 am on 9 October, SC and ICA officers kept ......11 October 2007Joint Operationshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2905With Hari Raya Puasa coming up on 13 October 2007 (Saturday), traffic flow through the two land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy during the coming weekend. For departures, the build-up is expected to start from 12 October 2007 (Friday) evening. For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy on 14 October 2007 (Sunday). Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during the peak periods should take note of the following.Travellers Have a Part to Play2 The best way to avoid the congestion is to adjust your travel plans and avoid the peak periods altogether. Traffic ......10 October 2007Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2847Over the past few days, the vigilant officers at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) were treated to a feast of “culinary delights”. From contraband cigarettes hidden among boxes of potato chips to baskets of vegetables and a consignment of canned drinks, the officers uncovered another attempt to smuggle contraband cigarettes on a consignment declared to be carrying crackers and ikan bilis. 2 On 9 October 2007 at about 10.45 pm, a Singapore-registered lorry laden with a consignment of declared grocery items arrived at the PSA Tanjong Pagar Gate 1 for clearance. While undergoing the routine checks, the sharp-eyed ICA ......10 October 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2848Our officers took issue with the size of container when it did not measure up to expectations. 2. On 9 October 2007, at around 7.30am, a Malaysian-registered container truck arrived at Tuas Checkpoint for a routine check. When it was scanned by the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS), there were indications of a false compartment at the front of the container, just behind the driver. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers then decided to measure the container. The external measurement of the container was 12.19 metres (40 feet), whereas the interior of the container only measured to around ......09 October 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2849Sneaking out of Singapore using the traditional method of huddling in the boot of a car is so passé, given the tight security measures that have been put in place at the land checkpoints. Moreover, the boot of a car is dark, cramped and stuffy. Hence, three immigration offenders decided to shell out business class fares of between $1,800 and $4,000 to travel in a refrigerated truck out of Singapore. They probably had the luxury of more leg-room.2. The ruse was uncovered at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 8 October 2007, at around 1.45pm during a routine check. When officers opened ......09 October 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2850First, they tried to bring in the “munchy” cigarettes by hiding the 5,500 cartons of contraband cigarettes among boxes of potato chips. Next, it was the “high fibre” ones, with the stash of 3,250 cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden among baskets of vegetables. And now, the smuggler’s attempt to hide them within a consignment declared to be containing canned drinks was fizzled out by the vigilant officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.2 On 4 October 2007 at about 3.00 pm, a 20-footer container truck laden with a consignment of declared canned drinks arrived at the Pasir Panjang Scanning Station ......06 October 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2851Relentless as they have been, smugglers go all out in their attempts to conceal and bring in contrabands. And try as they may, such attempts to “bury” their intention will ultimately be uncovered by our vigilant Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers. Loaded with baskets of vegetable as blanket cover, 650,000 sticks of cigarettes lie hidden from the watchful eyes of the inspecting officers. Wishful thinking. Superb judgement coupled with top-notch technology, ICA officers managed to “dig out the buried truth”.2 On 5 October 2007 at about 0640, a Malaysia-registered truck driven by a male Malaysian Indian arrived at the ......05 October 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4439Lim Jing Jing (Ms) Deputy Head Public & Internal Communications for Commissioner Immigration & Checkpoints Authority 350 words 5 October 2007 Straits Times English (c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited I REFER to the letter, 'Improve passport scanner at Woodlands Checkpoint' (ST, Oct 2). We appreciate the feedback on our automated immigration system given by Mr Nelson Quah's friend through Mr Quah's letter. At the same time, we are perplexed by the comments made in the letter. First of all, we are surprised that Mr Quah's friend made eight attempts to scan his thumbprint, as both the enhanced Immigration Automated ......05 October 2007Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8678ST Forum ICA clarifies thumbprint screening at checkpoints Lim Jing Jing (Ms) Deputy Head Public & Internal Communications for Commissioner Immigration & Checkpoints Authority 350 words 5 October 2007 Straits Times English(c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited I REFER to the letter, 'Improve passport scanner at Woodlands Checkpoint' (ST, Oct 2). We appreciate the feedback on our automated immigration system given by Mr Nelson Quah's friend through Mr Quah's letter. At the same time, we are perplexed by the comments made in the letter. First of all, we are surprised that Mr Quah's friend made eight attempts to scan his ......05 October 2007Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2852They tried all means and ways to smuggle in contraband cigarettes into Singapore. From secret compartments in vehicles to modified floorboards, coffins and many other ingenious concealment methods, these smugglers tried to outwit the officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority. For this time round, the smuggler placed his bet on the wrong “chips” by hiding the contraband cigarettes among boxes of potato chips. 2 On 3 October 2007 at about 7.30 am, a Malaysia-registered truck driven by a male Malaysian driver arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The truck was declared to be carrying a consignment of 534 cartons of ......03 October 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2910As the November/December school holidays draw near, many Singaporeans are making plans to travel overseas. 2. Most countries require the traveller's passport to be valid for at least six months from the date of expiry, before allowing the person to enter. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) would like to urge Singapore Citizens to apply for their passports early, well in advance of the November/December holidays, if their passports are coming to within six months of expiry.Why do it early?3. More than 120,000 Singaporeans are expected to apply for passport facilities from October to December. This is about 20 to ......27 September 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2853This time round, the smuggler tried to improvise on the “seemingly” foolproof plan of an earlier foiled smuggling attempt to hide close to 500,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes in a modified floorboard of a truck. Instead of coming in empty, he filled the truck with a consignment of vegetables. But of course, the officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) knew the tricks of these smugglers and foiled another attempt to smuggle the 130,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes hidden in the modified floorboard of the truck.2 On 14 September 2007 at about 8.15 pm, a Malaysia-registered truck driven by ......17 September 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2854The smuggler who attempted to smuggle in close to 500,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes must have thought that he had devised a foolproof plan to hide them in a seemingly “empty” truck. His plan was blown to shreds when the eagled-eyed officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) uncovered the contraband cigarettes hidden underneath the modified floorboard of the truck.2 On 12 September 2007 at about 0745 hrs, an “empty” Malaysia-registered vehicle carrier truck arriving in Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint was diverted by the checkpoint officers for more detailed checks. The truck was driven by a lone male Malaysian ......12 September 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2855In the space of less than 24 hours, the vigilant Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint intercepted three modified vehicles that were used to convey duty-unpaid cigarettes in the course of routine checks.Case 1 - Floored by the discovery2. The first vehicle arrived at Woodlands Checkpoint on 5 September 2007, at around 4.20pm. The Malaysian-registered car, driven by a Malaysian Chinese, ferried four other passengers. In the course of the check, ICA officers assessed that the floorboard compartment had been modified, and could be carrying duty unpaid cigarettes. A scan using the Z-backscatter van showed anomalies ......06 September 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2856The latest cigarette smuggler caught by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) tried to con our officers into letting him through, but the ICA officers were not con-vinced by his lies. How the cigarettes were con-cealed2. The Malaysian-registered bus arrived at Woodlands Checkpoint on 3 September 2007, at around 4.20am. In the course of ICA’s routine checks, the driver appeared nervous and was uncertain as to where his destination was. This aroused our officers’ suspicions. In about ten minutes, the ICA officers found out the reason for his nervousness. Cartons of cigarettes were found hidden within modified air-conditioning and speaker ......03 September 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2857The reality of life is that sometimes, we just gotta do whatever it takes to get the job done. Occasionally, this includes getting down and dirty… On a misty Monday morning2. Our officers will never forget that it happened on a bus on a misty Monday morning, on 27 August 2007. ‘Floorplay’ at Woodlands Checkpoint3. It was a Malaysian-registered bus, which arrived at Woodlands Checkpoint at around 6.20am. The driver appeared nervous, which aroused our officers’… suspicions. And so, further checks were conducted on the bus. Around ten minutes later, the loot was found inside a modified compartment hidden under ......27 August 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2911The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) of Australia are co-hosting an Immigration Training Cooperation Workshop from 27 to 29 August 2007 at the Sheraton Towers Hotel.Strengthening cooperation in the region2 The objective of the workshop is provide a common platform for ASEAN members and Australia to get together to explore and discuss possible immigration training collaborations. 3 The idea for this workshop was first mooted at the ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (DGICM) held in Jakarta in 2006. ......27 August 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2858The officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) engaged its “drug busting” gear and foiled an attempt to smuggle 10,000 Dormicum tablets hidden in the gear box and rear seat of a vehicle.2 On 15 August 2007 at about 1745 hrs, a Singapore-registered car arriving in Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint was diverted by ICA officers for more detailed checks. The car was driven by a male Chinese Singaporean. Upon checks conducted by the vigilant ICA officers, a total of 10,000 Dormicum tablets were found hidden in the gear box and underneath the rear seat of the vehicle.3 The 45 ......16 August 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2859The officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) certainly did not rest on their laurels after submitting their mid-year “report card” yesterday. Acting on information received, enforcement officers from ICA mounted a concerted effort in an island-wide operation to weed out the undesirables in the early morning of 14 August 2007. The results were more than what we had expected. 2. From a series of raids conducted on 12 HDB units and a cafeteria across the island, a total of 47 Immigration Offenders (IOs) were nabbed, comprising nationals from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Sir Lanka and China. Three Singaporeans ......14 August 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2912Click here for full news release.13 August 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2860The cigarettes smugglers probably thought that the cigarettes could Rest In Peace (RIP) by hiding them in the coffins. Little did they realize that RIP could also mean Recovery Is Possible. And true enough, the secrets (cigarettes) kept inside the coffins were uncovered by the enforcement officers during a raid on 9 August 2007.2 On 9 August 2007, Singapore Customs smashed a cigarette smuggling syndicate using coffins to smuggle contraband cigarettes. Three male Singaporeans aged, 32, 37 and 55 years, were arrested. 37,199 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes worth about $335,000 were seized from the false-bottom compartment of 33 coffins. The ......10 August 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2913ICA LAUNCHES NEW INFO PACK, “EMBRACE SINGAPORE, WHERE YOU BELONG!”The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has launched a new information pack titled “Embrace Singapore, where you belong!” at the Ministry of Home Affairs National Day Observance Ceremony on 7 August 2007.2. “The information package is part of a broader effort not just to attract new immigrants but also to integrate them into the Singapore society,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Wong Kan Seng at the event.About the information pack3. The information pack is targeted at current Permanent Residents, foreign employers and employees, foreign students and ......07 August 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2861In the early morning of 1 August 2007, enforcement officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) mounted an island-wide operation on seven HDB residential units, arresting a total of 45 Immigration Offenders (IOs) and one harbourer. The IOs and the Singaporean harbourer were caught by surprise and did not have time to react before they were arrested. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the IOs were generally illegal immigrants and overstayers. They were mainly nationals from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the People’s Republic of China. The IOs admitted that their purpose of coming to Singapore was for illegal employment. ......01 August 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2862On 30 Jul 2007, at about 0320 hrs, ICA officers from Woodlands Checkpoint stopped an arriving Malaysia-registered tour bus for further checks. The vehicle was driven by a male Malaysian Indian. 2 In the course of the checks, officers found plenty of trash bags in the dustbin on the bus. When asked about the disposed trash bags, the driver was unable to come up with an explanation and started to become nervous. This aroused our officers’ suspicions that something was amiss. Upon detailed checking, modified compartments were found underneath the floorboard and the rear passenger seats of the bus. A ......30 July 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2914The system upgrade and data migration has been successfully completed. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is pleased to announce that all services will resume as scheduled, on Friday, 27 July 2007 at 8am.2. As ICA was not able to process applications received during the period of suspension, we would like to seek the public’s understanding that processing time for the various immigration and national registration services may be longer while we work through the backlog. 3. Members of the public are requested not to rush to ICA Building on 27, 28 and 30 July 2007 if their applications are ......26 July 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2863On 20 Jul 2007, at about 0720 hrs, officers from Woodlands Checkpoint diverted an arriving Malaysia-registered motorcycle for further checks at the inspection pit. The vehicle was driven by a male Malaysian Chinese. 2 In the course of the checks, the checkpoint officer came across a raincoat kept within the motorcycle carrier box. When unwrapped, a stapled brown envelope was revealed. Upon opening the envelope, 20 sachets of white powdery substance, believed to be heroin, were found packed equally into four packets.3 When questioned, the 35 year old motorcyclist denied ownership of the exhibits and claimed that he was unaware ......20 July 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2864On 18 Jul 2007, at about 2235 hrs, ICA officers from Woodlands Checkpoint stopped an arriving Malaysia-registered van and diverted it for further checks at the inspection pit. The vehicle was driven by a male Malaysian Indian. 2 In the course of the checks, the officers observed that the driver appeared unsettled and was sweating profusely. This aroused the officers’ suspicions that something was amiss. Upon detailed checking, a compartment was found in the floorboard of the vehicle, concealed under layers of floor mats. When the compartment was opened, a sling pouch was found within, containing a package wrapped in ......19 July 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8677ST Forum Checkpoint officers had rendered assistance 480 words 18 July 2007 Straits Times English (c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited WE EXTEND our sincere condolences to Mr Norhafiz Zahid and his family on the loss of his father ('No help for dying dad at Woodlands checkpoint'; ST, July 16). We wish to clarify some facts. Mr Norhafiz wrote that he arrived at Woodlands Checkpoint at 12.10am where he called 995 for an ambulance from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The timings of CCTV recordings and computer systems at the immigration booths are logged. All calls to SCDF are ......18 July 2007Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2915Important datesVarious e-services provided by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will be temporarily unavailable from 6pm, 21 July 2007 (Saturday). Counter services at the ICA Building and at enrolment centres for the Multiple Journey Pass, Malaysian Frequent Traveller Card, Immigration Automated Clearance System Card and Biometric Identification for Motorbikers System located at the Tuas Checkpoint, Woodlands Checkpoint and Changi Airport Terminal 2 will also be closed from 23 July 2007 (Monday). However, the immigration checks and procedures at all checkpoints will continue as normal. The full list of affected services is available at ICA’s website at http://www.ica.gov.sg . 2. ......17 July 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2865Motoring enthusiasts like modifying their vehicles to make them more aesthetically pleasing and powerful on the roads. Smugglers proved to be even more creative when it comes to modifying their vehicles and trying to evade checks by the authorities. They had better think twice now. In just about 16 hours, Immigration & Checkpoints (ICA) officers at Woodlands Checkpoint seized four vehicles attempting to smuggle contrabands hidden in secret compartments into the country. About 461 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and 2810 pieces of suspected uncensored optical discs were found.Case 12 On 8 Jul 2007, at about 1640 hrs, ICA officers from ......09 July 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2866Singapore’s land checkpoints are among the busiest in the world. At Woodlands Checkpoint alone, the total traveller volume for 2006 was about 86 million. Motorcyclists make up an estimated 30 percentage of the total travellers’ volume cleared.New clearance zone for motorcyclists2. As part of our commitment to facilitate expeditious immigration clearance of travellers without compromising security at the borders, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will open an additional clearance zone for motorcyclists with effect from 5 July 2007. This new mini checkpoint will be an extension of the existing Woodlands Checkpoint, and will operate up to five hours daily ......05 July 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4446須確保智慧晶片不被犯罪組織竄改 385 words 29 June 2007 新明日報 (繁體) 33 Chinese - Traditional c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited 編輯先生： 　　謹回復貴報6月5日符欣穎的投函“換智能身份證是時候了？” 　　身份證是我國超過320萬名滿15歲公民及永久居民的基本身份證件。它主要是用來確認持有者的身份及法定地位，雖然現有身份證尚未嵌入智慧晶片，但也具備有先進及堅固的保安設施如多重激光影像防止被竄改及造假。 　　移民與關卡局致力掌握新的科技及創新概念，經過改良的自動通關係統就是一個很好的例子，它讓新加坡人更方便和有效的通過移民與關卡檢查。不過即使我們採用新科技，我們也會確保帶來的利益會大過成本。 　　我們經過仔細研究和評估後認為，用智慧晶片取代目前的身份證成本不但昂貴也對使用者不便。由於智慧晶片有使用期限的限制，因此須定時更換，這無形中也讓犯罪組織更有機會去竄改晶片或造假。 　　無論如何我們感謝符欣穎的建議並保證移民與關卡局將繼續與有關部門，包括新加坡資訊發展管理局，開發這方面的科技。 　　　林晶晶 　　　副主任（公眾與內部聯繫） 　　　移民與關卡局 非常話題 換智能身份證是時候了？ 符欣穎 648 words 5 June 2007 新明日報 (繁體) 19 Chinese - Traditional c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited 　　4月間，智能卡大會在我國舉行，新加坡資訊管理局多年來也不斷希望我國在這方面能居領先地位，實現智慧島國的宏願。 　　但是政府和私人企業界的表現卻令人遺憾，譬如在身份證的問題上，實在無法理解正當亞洲許多國家先後採用智能型身份證之際，反觀新加坡又如何呢？ 　　新加坡移民與關卡局始終認為現有身份證還能夠使用無需更新，難道做為國民唯一重要辨認身份的官方文件不應該與時併進，國人還在使用已有30年歷史的黑白照片塑料身份證，沒有智能卡儲存資料。更換住址還在用人工方式和貼紙，這連一般公司機構用的職員卡還不如。 　　體育場即將重建，綜合度假村正在興建當中，三幾年後我們將提升到真正的世界級發達國家，怎麼能夠接受國人還在使用舊身份證。 　　全民更換新智能身份證正是時候，別再拖了。 　　我們經常也遇上一些搬家沒有更新住址的情況，而且現有的身份證只能用貼紙，容易損壞，倘若智能身份證能夠與中央數據庫和國民登記局電腦結合，也儲存住址、血型，新加坡國民密碼(SingPass)並且能夠利用新科技自動更新，又或者使用‘Q’碼和無限Wifi技術，身份證更能夠當做快速通關的旅遊證件，國人在進出新加坡關卡時不需要使用護照，而是以身份證代替，更快捷的利用自動通關閘門進出。 　　身為新加坡身份證持有者，我深信我們實在有必要在廿一世紀這個高科技年頭擁有一張全新設計與功能的智能身份證。 　　我國人口才400多萬，數億人口的中國都能全民更換智能身份證，有什麼理由我們辦不到呢？ 　　如果我們具有使用高科技的能力與技術，卻不去用它，我們又如何實現智慧島國先進發達的國家，這也關乎整個國家的形象。 　　行動吧！2008年是一個好年頭，做好準備為全民更新身份證事不宜遲。 附圖片 不吐不快 29 June 2007Replies to Mediahttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2916Click here for full news release.22 June 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2867The smuggler who was caught this morning sure had a diverse portfolio of ‘assets’. The items that he attempted to smuggle include illegal immigrants, cigarettes and eggs – the quantities smuggled are in ascending order.2. Unfortunately for him, everything was placed in a Malaysian-registered oil tanker. As it entered the Woodlands Checkpoint at around 5.20am this morning, it was stopped and directed for further checks. The items we found…3. In the midst of our checks, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) discovered that the tanker was not empty. Inside the tanker, ICA officers found six men hiding among ......20 June 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2868On 14 Jun 2007, at about 1430 hrs, ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint stopped a departing Malaysia-registered 40-foot container trailer for further checks. The trailer was driven by a 40 year-old male Malaysian Indian.2 As part of the checks, the container was opened up for a search. Moving deep among the many cartons of wrapped-up and stacked electronic parts, a male Bangladeshi national was found hiding behind the cartons. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 25 year-old Bangladeshi national did not possess a travel document and was later established to be an illegal immigrant. He claimed to have paid the driver ......15 June 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2917Our commitment to the security of the Singapore passportAs the passport issuing authority of Singapore, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is committed to uphold the integrity and security of our passports. Holding a passport that is trusted internationally as a secure travel document will enable Singapore Citizens to continue to travel with convenience.2. The Singapore Biometric Passport (BioPass) was launched last year as part of ICA’s efforts to ensure the integrity and security of the Singapore passport. BioPass complies with the requirements laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which include not allowing changes to the holder’s ......15 June 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2869It is human tendency to “judge a book by its cover”, and to accord more respect and niceties to people deemed to be of a higher standing in society. Such presumptions however, are often not true in the context of security. We at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) know this. With syndicates and criminal elements constantly trying to find new ways through our security setups, ICA spares no effort to ensure the impartiality of checks conducted at our Checkpoints. 2 On 6 Jun 2007, at about 1900 hrs, ICA officers from Woodlands Checkpoint diverted an arriving Malaysia-registered car for ......07 June 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2870It is amazing what cigarettes smugglers would resort to, in trying to bring duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore. Over the weekend, among many other cases, ICA officers managed to retrieve a total of 2027 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes from the creatively modified compartments of two Malaysia-registered cars.Case 12 On 2 Jun 2007, at about 0725hrs, ICA officers on duty at Woodlands Checkpoint directed an arriving Malaysia-registered car for more detailed checks. Meticulously searching through the vehicle, our officers found duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden beneath the floorboards of both the front and rear passenger seats, as well as the rear bumper of the ......04 June 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2871Actually, we did not take issue with the size of the melons. Really. Case 12. A lorry, which was declared to be carrying a consignment of 50 packages of fresh watermelons, had arrived at Woodlands Checkpoint on 23 May 2007, at around 3.20am. Our officers¡¦ suspicions arose when they noticed that there were only sparse baskets of low-quality small watermelons onboard.3. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers then decided to carry out further checks. After removing the floorboards at the back of the lorry, the four officers found cartons of cigarettes hidden in a secret compartment lined with black ......23 May 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2872The smugglers must have heard about the series of smuggling attempts thwarted by the vigilant Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the land checkpoints and decided to try the sea route. And of course, the smugglers didn’t manage to have their way. Following hot on the heels of the series of the smuggling attempts thwarted at the land checkpoint the day before, ICA officers from the Coastal Command smashed yet another attempt to smuggle a total of 719 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes onboard a tugboat.2 On 15 May 2007, at about 2100hrs, the ICA officers together with the Police ......16 May 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2873Singapore's land checkpoints are among the busiest in the world, with more than 100,000 travellers entering and departing Singapore each way daily. To be able to effectively sieve out the contrabands and prohibited items from among the travellers who bring along with them a wide array of goods and personal items, is no mean feat. The Immigration & Checkpoints (ICA) officers from Woodlands Checkpoint put their training and skills to good use, when they smashed a variety of smuggling attempts, all within a day's work. Case 1 2 On 14 May 2007, at about 1510hrs, three male Sri Lankan subjects ......15 May 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2874In the early morning of 13 May 2007, enforcement officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) mounted an operation on a residential unit in Joo Chiat Road, arresting a total of 33 Immigration Offenders (IOs) and two harbourers. The Immigration Offenders and the two harbourers were caught by surprise and did not have time to react before they were arrested. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the IOs were illegal immigrants and overstayers. Aged between 19 - 65 years old, they had worked as general workers, earning an irregular income of about $15 - $40 daily. 3 All the arrested ......14 May 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2875Weekends are typically the time of the week most people look forward to. Whether to spend time with their loved ones, going shopping, or just taking a rest and enjoying the simple pleasures of life, weekends allude to a time of rest, and of taking time to "smell the flowers."2 Weekends have an altogether different meaning for Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers though. This is a time when traffic at the checkpoints is higher than usual and more petty smugglers start "coming out to play". In their own special ways, ICA officers play a crucial role in keeping the ......23 April 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2876In the urban jungle of Singapore, it is not easy to find people who make their homes in forested areas. It is even more difficult to find people living in the forests and making a livelihood through prostitution. We found just that.2 In the early morning of 13 Apr 2007, enforcement officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) mounted a joint-operation at a forested area in the Upper Thomson area. Five female Thai nationals aged 19 – 44 years old, were arrested. Four of them were found to be Immigration Offenders (IOs) while ......16 April 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2903In the urban jungle of Singapore, it is not easy to find people who make their homes in forested areas. It is even more difficult to find people living in the forests and making a livelihood through prostitution. We found just that.2 In the early morning of 13 Apr 2007, enforcement officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) mounted a joint-operation at a forested area in the Upper Thomson area. Five female Thai nationals aged 19 – 44 years old, were arrested. Four of them were found to be Immigration Offenders (IOs) while ......16 April 2007Joint Operationshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2877At a time when most people would be fast asleep, a group of immigration offenders (IOs) woke up to find that their days of evading the arms of Singapore’s law enforcers have ended.2 In the early morning of 10 Apr 2007, enforcement officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) mounted a series of seven raids island-wide, netting the arrest of a total of 61 IOs and 3 harbourers. The raids brought our officers to different localities in Singapore, ranging from Woodlands to Bedok, Geylang, Bah Soon Pah Road, as well as Ang Mo Kio. The entire operation was completed ......10 April 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2878The smuggler must have thought that he could cut corners with the consignment declared as 600 pieces of “plain sheet panels” and 2,400 pieces of cornices and corners. However, his efforts were in vain as his attempt was foiled by the vigilant officers at the checkpoint. 2 On 2 April 2007, at about 0745 hrs, a Malaysia-registered lorry arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint was diverted by ICA officers for a more detailed inspection. The car was driven by a lone male Malaysian driver who appeared nervous and avoided eye contact with the ICA officer. The ICA officers proceeded to conduct a ......02 April 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2906With Good Friday just around the corner, traffic flow through the two land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy during the coming long weekend. For departures, the build-up is expected to start from 5 - 6 Apr 2007. For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy from 8 - 9 Apr 2007. Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during these super peak periods should take note of the following.Travellers Have a Part to Play 2 The best way to avoid the congestion is to adjust your travel plans and avoid the peak periods altogether. Traffic ......02 April 2007Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2879On 21 Mar 2007, at about 2050 hrs, more than 1000 illegal DVD movies were retrieved from a Malaysia-registered car arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint. 2 Upon arrival, the car was diverted by the checkpoint officer for more detailed checks. In the course of the checks, the alert officers found DVDs, suspected to be uncensored and obscene, hidden in the vehicle. Most of the DVDs were retrieved from under the driver and passenger seats, while the rest were found under the rear carriage compartment of the car. A total of 1021 DVDs were recovered.3 The driver, a 31-year old Malaysian Chinese, ......22 March 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2880On 21 Mar 2007, at about 0540 hrs, a Malaysia-registered motorcycle arriving in Woodlands Checkpoint was diverted by the checkpoint officer for further checks. 2 In the course of the checks, about 2.1 kg of cannabis were found hidden in the backpack the rider of the motorcycle was carrying. The suspect was immediately placed under arrest and referred to CNB for further investigations.3 The suspected trafficker is a 32-year-old male Malaysian Indian who works as a florist. His urine tested positive for cannabis. He has been charged for the offence of importation of a controlled drug. If convicted, he will ......22 March 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2881Case 1 DISCOVERED! - “STORAGE TANK” FOR ILLEGAL DVDsOn 19 Mar 2007, at about 1949 hrs, a Malaysia-registered car arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint was diverted by ICA officers for a more detailed inspection. In the course of the checks, the alert officers found a total of 1,093 DVDs, suspected to be uncensored and obscene, hidden in the modified fuel tank compartment of the vehicle. 2 The driver, a 32-year old Malaysian Chinese, was immediately placed under arrest. When questioned, the male subject admitted knowledge of the exhibits, and claimed that he was offered RM$200 to smuggle the DVDs into Singapore. ......21 March 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2882Mohammad Khair Johari Bin Ibrahim, a 45 years old Singaporean man, pleaded guilty to two charges involving the illegal importation of 175,000 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes worth over $1.5 million. On 6 March 2007, he was sentenced to fines totaling $1,310,750 or in default 9 years’ imprisonment. He was arrested for cigarette smuggling in a joint enforcement action by two agencies, Singapore Customs (SC) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). 2 On 22 February 2007, at about 1300 hrs, a 40-footer container truck laden with a consignment of declared furniture was diverted to the Tanjong Pagar Scanning Station for ......08 March 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2883The recipe could have read, “mix 100 boxes of tissue paper with 100 boxes of cigarettes…” Unfortunately, it turned out to be a half-baked plan.2. On 7 March 2007 at around 8.30am, a Malaysian-registered lorry was declared to be carrying 200 boxes of facial tissues. But the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer manning the radiographic scanner knew better. Seeing anomalies in the scanned image of the cargo, he immediately alerted his colleagues to conduct further checks. The checks confirmed his suspicions. After opening two boxes amongst the consignment, duty-unpaid cigarettes were found. The boxes containing the cigarettes were covered ......07 March 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2884What has a pair of swimming trunks and socks have in common? Well, by the very fact that both are naturally elastic, they can be made to hold more than what they were originally made for. 2 On 1 Mar 2007, at about 0755 hrs, a male Malay Singaporean coming through the arrival bus hall at Woodlands Checkpoint was found by the checkpoint officer to be behaving suspiciously. A quick visual scan by the officer found unusual “bulges” around the man. He was immediately directed for more thorough checks.3 During the checks, duty-unpaid cigarettes were found stuffed inside his socks. ......01 March 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2885In the Hollywood hit movie, Charlie’s Angels, the three ladies under the charge of Charlie were all highly-trained agents who always managed to dodge bullets, evade traps and emerge from highly dangerous situations, seemingly unscathed. Not so here, at the Woodlands Checkpoint, when smuggling attempts by three “Charlie’s Angels” were busted by ICA officers one after another, all within the span of half-an-hour.2 On 27 Feb 2007, at about 1100hrs, a Malaysia-registered MPV arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint was stopped by ICA officers and directed for more thorough checks. Duty-unpaid cigarettes were found hidden within the dashboard and a modified fuel ......28 February 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2886On 27 February 2007, ICA officers seized a total of about 2,125 cartons x 200 sticks of assorted brands of duty-unpaid cigarettes, found concealed in consignments onboard the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train arriving at Woodlands Train Checkpoint from Kuala Lumpur. This is the biggest case of contraband cigarettes detected by ICA officers at WTCP since the operation of the checkpoint in 1999.2 When the train pulled in at the Woodlands Train Checkpoint at around 0725 hours, consignments declared as “Household Effects”, “TV Racks” and “Computer Tables” were directed by ICA officers for thorough checks. When the consignment declared as ......27 February 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2904On 15 February2007, a Singapore-based illegal liquor smuggling syndicate was busted in an early morning joint operation between officers of Singapore Customs (SC), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Five men (two Singaporeans, both aged 32 and three Malaysians, aged 29, 38 and 45) were arrested. Two Malaysian-registered cars with specially-constructed tanks were seized. Also seized were jerry cans containing 504 liters of brownish alcoholic liquid suspected to be smuggled liquor, 172 filled bottles affixed with Hennessy VSOP and Jim Beam labels, and assorted bottling paraphernalia such as bottle caps, labels and bottling machines. The duty ......16 February 2007Joint Operationshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2907With Chinese New Year just around the corner, traffic flow passing through the two land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy. For departures, the build-up is expected to start from 14 - 17 Feb 2007. For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy from 20 - 22 Feb 2007. Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during this super peak periods should take note of the following.Travellers Have a Part to Play 2 The best way to avoid the congestion is to adjust your travel plans and avoid the peak periods altogether. Traffic build-up is inevitable ......13 February 2007Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2887With Chinese New Year just around the corner, traffic flow passing through the two land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy. For departures, the build-up is expected to start from 14 - 17 Feb 2007. For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy from 20 - 22 Feb 2007. Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during this super peak periods should take note of the following.Travellers Have a Part to Play 2 The best way to avoid the congestion is to adjust your travel plans and avoid the peak periods altogether. Traffic build-up is inevitable ......13 February 2007Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2918The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will be launching a new e-service called the ¡§Naturalisation Eligibility Tool¡¨ on 15 February 2007 (Thursday). The system will go ¡¥live¡¦ on ICA¡¦s website http://www.ica.gov.sg at 10am. What is the new e-service about?2. The Naturalisation Eligibility Tool is a free online self-assessment system, to assist foreigners working and staying in Singapore to assess if they are eligible for either Singapore Permanent Residence (SPR) or Singapore Citizenship (SC). The password-free system is part of the Singapore Government¡¦s move to encourage suitable foreigners who can identify with our way of life and wish to contribute to ......12 February 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2888Singapore Customs (SC), together with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Police Coast Guard (PCG), in a joint operation on 7 February 2007 arrested three Indonesian men aged 24 to 28, and seized a total of 26,360 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes on board a tug boat at Western Anchorage, Singapore. The contraband cigarettes are worth about $270,000, while duties and GST evaded amount to $244,320.2. From 11 am on 7 February 2007, officers from SC, ICA and PCG began to keep close watch over tug boat “Scandidewa”, which was suspected to be used for cigarette smuggling into Singapore. At ......08 February 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2889Forged immigration endorsements and passes are much coveted by immigration offenders and illegal immigrants, as these are tools that can be utilised to fraudulently “legalise” their stay in Singapore, while providing a false front on their travel documents. 2 After an intensive period of investigations, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers mounted an operation, busting a Bangladeshi syndicate providing forged immigration passes and extension endorsements.3 On the evening of 7 Feb 2007, ICA officers moved in on two Bangladesh nationals at Serangoon Road area. Both of them were not in possession of any travel documents, and were subsequently established as ......08 February 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2890On 8 February 2007 at about 0030hrs, two Malaysia-registered trailers departing Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint were singled out by ICA officers for routine checks. In the course of the checks, a female People’s Republic of China (PRC) national was found hiding among boxes of sanitary wares in one of the trailers. While nothing incriminating was found in the trailer of the first driver, he was alleged by the driver of the second trailer as the mastermind who had arranged for the female PRC to be illegally conveyed out of Singapore. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the female PRC was previously ......08 February 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2919Click here for full news release.06 February 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2891Cigarettes taking a “ride” into Singapore must have found the whole journey unbearable, given the nooks and corners that they were squeezed into ... that is until the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers “liberated” them. And in less than 24 hours, ICA scores a hat trick against the cigarettes smugglers. Case 12 On 1st February 2007 at around 1100 hrs, a Malaysia-registered Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) arriving from Woodlands Checkpoint was stopped by an ICA officer for routine checks. 3 While inspecting the fuel tank, the ICA officer noticed that a bracket nut supporting the fuel tank was loose and ......02 February 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2892A drug trafficker’s attempt to smuggle the controlled drug, Subutex, was detected and foiled by an alert Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer.2. The ICA officer had noticed that a male passenger was behaving suspiciously at the arrival hall of the Singapore Cruise Centre on 26 January 2007, at around 8.55pm. The officer thus decided to conduct further checks on him and his belongings. When asked if he had any dutiable or prohibited items to declare, the traveller replied that he had none. Found in his baggage were numerous empty sachets. A full body search of the man was then ......29 January 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2920The Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will be conducting a joint emergency exercise at the Tuas Checkpoint on Wednesday, 31 January 2007 from midnight to 02:00 am.2. This emergency exercise, which will also involve the Police, is part of a continual effort by the Home Team to sharpen and enhance the operational readiness of its emergency responders.3. During the exercise, roads leading to the Tuas Checkpoint will not be affected. The checkpoint will also remain open during the exercise. However, there will be movement of many emergency appliances and equipment in the vicinity. The public ......29 January 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2921We received an official notification on 21 December 2006 from the Malaysian Government informing us of the temporary closure of the Causeway to heavy vehicles and the diversion of these vehicles to the Second Link. However, we note that Malaysian Works Minister Datuk Seri Samy Vellu's reported comments to the media on 18 January 2007 regarding the dates and period of the proposed temporary diversion differ significantly from those mentioned in that earlier notification. We have therefore written to seek clarification from the relevant Malaysian authorities on this matter, as well as to seek further details about the proposed diversion. ......25 January 2007Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2893The cigarette smuggler did not count on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducting further checks when the goods were blandly declared as “3,048 pieces of unbranded paper boxes”. The unused paper boxes lay innocuously in flat stacks on top of a lorry. 2. Unfortunately for him, the vigilant and meticulous ICA officers conducted further checks when they noted irregularities from the gamma ray scan of the goods. The Malaysian-registered lorry had arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 25 January 2007 at around 8.55am. Upon closer examination, ICA officers found cartons of cigarettes, wrapped with carbon paper hidden within cut-out ......25 January 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2894The detection of the ‘crocodylus porosus’ showed that border security was certainly not porous.What is crocodylus porosus?2. The story began on 23 January 2007, at around 11.50am, when an officer from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Cruise Centre was conducting routine security checks on the belongings of an arriving male traveller. Herbs from Indonesia?3. As usual, the ICA officer asked if there was anything to declare. The traveller said ‘no’. The officer continued with the checks. Found amongst his belongings were seven suspicious-looking specimens wrapped in a red towel. When questioned, the traveller claimed that they were ‘herbs’ ......23 January 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2895The cigarettes hidden within their packets of ‘economic rice’ turned out to be a costly mistake for three motorcyclists.2. The hat-trick of detections by the observant officers at the Tuas Checkpoint took place in the early morning of 18 January 2007, at around 6am to 7.45am. In the course of security checks, three Malaysian motorcyclists (1 female and 2 male) behaving suspiciously were found to have concealed duty-unpaid cigarettes within their packets of food. The cigarettes ranged from loose sticks to five packets. 3. All three motorcyclists were Malaysian work permit holders aged between 34 and 51. They have been ......18 January 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2896On 13 Jan 2007, at about 0245 hrs, a Singaporean male was arrested by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Woodlands Checkpoint for attempting to smuggle in two sachets of ketamine hidden in the armrest of his car. The ketamine sachets seized weighed a total of about 101.5 grams.2 During a routine check conducted by ICA officers, the Singapore-registered car was directed to the inspection pit for further checks. In the course of the check, a small bundle wrapped in newspaper was found concealed in the armrest of the vehicle. When peeled open, about 101.5 grams of ketamine were ......15 January 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2897On 15 Jan 2007, at about 0920 hrs, a male Malaysian motorcyclist was arrested by Checkpoint officers at Tuas Checkpoint. Two slabs of Erimin-5 tablets were found in his wallet (hidden behind a talisman) while another 3 slabs were unravelled from within a packet of food. A total of 5 X 10-tablet slabs of Erimin-5 were seized.2 As the blue Malaysia-registered motorcycle arrived at Tuas Checkpoint, the motorcyclist was directed for a routine check. In the course of the check, two slabs of tablets labelled as Erimin-5 were found in his wallet, carefully placed behind a cloth talisman. This discovery ......15 January 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2898…judging from what smugglers have been hiding in their breakfasts recently. Three days after a Malaysian man was caught at Woodlands checkpoint, a similar case surfaced at Tuas checkpoint. 2 On 11 January at around 0640 hours, a Malaysia-registered motorcycle was stopped by checkpoint officers at Tuas checkpoint for a routine check. In the course of check on the pillion rider’s bag, the officer detected 47 packets of tobacco products wrapped within some roti prata. More packets of tobacco products were found in her bag and shoes. A total of 98 small packets of tobacco products were uncovered. 3 The ......11 January 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2899Officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) found the new flavour of prata a little hard to swallow… 2. The case was detected on 8 January 2007, around 6.30am at the Woodlands Checkpoint, where a Malaysian motorcyclist was stopped for further checks. Two packets of illicit cigarettes were soon found wrapped within some roti prata, and another two packets were hidden within a packet of rice. More cigarettes were found in his jacket and tucked around his waist. A total of eleven packets of cigarettes were uncovered. 3. Realising that his game was up, the driver admitted ownership of ......09 January 2007Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3020With effect from 1 January 2007, citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia holding Diplomatic passports will not need a visa to visit Singapore. All other types of passport holder are still required to obtain the appropriate visas for entry into Singapore. 2. The changes to the visa requirements are part of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's on-going review to facilitate the entry and stay of bona fide visitors.29 December 2006Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2922A man’s attempt to smuggle in ‘fertile’ cigarettes proved futile when he was stopped by ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint on 26 Dec 06 at about 1315 hours. With the help of the ICIS radiographic scanner, ICA officers uncovered a total of 1,650 cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden among boxes of fertiliser in the smuggler’s lorry. 2 During the radiographic scanning, ICA officers noticed that the contents of the lorry were of varying densities, even though the consignment was declared as fertiliser. Our officers proceeded to conduct a thorough check on the contents of the lorry, and found the 1,650 ......27 December 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3018I’m dreaming of a jam-free ChristmasJust like the ones during off-peakWhere the cars stay in laneAnd no one complainCos they know what to expect…(Sung to the tune of ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’)Yes, Christmas and the New Year are just round the corner, and the traffic flow passing through the two land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy during the coming long weekends. For departures, the build-up is expected to start on the Friday evenings (22 & 29 Dec 2006). For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy on Monday evenings (25 Dec 2006 & ......19 December 2006Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2923Smug-g-lers Smug-g-lers try us ‘n be dismay!It’s no fun to be caught by our checkpoint officers hey!Smug-g-lers Smug-g-lers try us ‘n be dismay!It’s no fun to be caught by our checkpoint officers hey!(Sung to the tune of ‘Jingle Bells’)There will be no cheer for two smugglers this Christmas when their attempts to smuggle in cartons of contraband cigarettes was foiled by alert ICA officers at the land checkpoints. At Tuas, 1450 cartons of cigarettes were found on a tour bus, hidden in secret compartments in the floorboard underneath the two rows of passenger seats. At Woodlands, 43 cartons of cigarettes ......18 December 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2924The caseThe snake skins were stuffed in a pillow case, but our officer was not about to be caught sleeping. 2. On 15 December 2006, at around 10am, an officer from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority at Tuas Checkpoint was conducting a routine check on a cargo truck carrying a consignment of liquor. After checking the goods, the officer conducted a check in the driver’s cabin. He came across a pillow and felt that it was oddly solid. He sensed that something was amiss. When the pillow case was unzipped, dried snake skin was found in it. Snake skin seized3. ......15 December 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2925Two cars with two modified fuel tanks turned out to be all toil and trouble for the drivers when they were arrested for trying to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore. Both smuggling attempts were stopped in their tracks by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint this morning.Case 12. A Malaysian-registered car was singled out for further checks at the arrival car bay of Woodlands Checkpoint on 5 December 2006, at around 7.55am. In the course of the checks, the vigilant and observant ICA officers noticed that the undercarriage of the car was unusually low. When ......05 December 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2926It was 5.15am on a Sunday morning, when the smugglers might have thought that the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) was operating at a lower level of vigilance. They were proven wrong of course. 2. In the course of our routine checks, a total of seven packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found onboard the Singapore-registered car. The cigarettes were loosely concealed in the driver’s side-door and arm-rest compartments. 3. Unfortunately for the driver and his passengers, the checks did not stop there. When body searches were conducted, a total of 10 tablets in red packaging and some white powder were ......04 December 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2927Case 1A Bangladesh national and his accomplices had been blithely running an enterprise from a toilet to provide forged immigration endorsements to other Bangladeshi immigration offenders for a fee, without knowing the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) was keeping a close watch on them for several weeks. Their efforts soon went down the toilet when they were arrested on 29 November 2006.2. The forged endorsement stamps and other paraphernalia were stashed in the flushing system of a toilet cubicle, no less. The toilet was located in a food centre at Clementi Avenue 3. At around 7pm, ICA officers caught sight ......30 November 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2928A couple’s attempt to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore was canned by alert officers deployed at Woodlands checkpoint. Checkpoint officers found a total of 245 sticks of contraband cigarettes in the couple’s possession during a routine check.2 On 28 Nov 06 at about 1930 hours, a Singapore-registered car was singled out for a routine check. In the course of the check, the officer found 225 sticks of cigarettes hidden in tin cans inside the luggage bag. Another pack of 20 sticks of cigarettes was also found in the luggage bag. The couple, a 26-year-old Singaporean man and a 25-year-old female ......29 November 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3015Acting on information received about a group of immigration offenders who were shucking cockles in their homes, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) joined forces to conduct an operation at Marsiling Estate. A total of eight HDB units were raided and 16 immigration offenders and one Singaporean harbourer were arrested during the operation. 2 A total of 821 kg of unprocessed cockles and 248kg of shucked cockles were seized from the HDB units. During the operation, two lorries were intercepted while they were delivering the cockles to the immigration offenders. Another ......29 November 2006Joint Operationshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2929Christmas may be round the corner, and Santa Clauses are starting to make their rounds in the malls with their bags of surprises. However, the Malaysian man caught at Woodlands checkpoint was certainly no Santa, even though he had a bag of ‘surprises’ with him. Checkpoint officers found a total of 19 packets of contraband cigarettes hidden in his haversack and in a thermos flask during a routine check.2 On 22 Nov 06 at about 1710 hours, an officer deployed at Woodlands checkpoint directed a Singapore-registered motorcycle for a routine check. The rider appeared very nervous in the course of ......23 November 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2930On 14 November 2006, in a joint operation by Singapore Customs and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), six male Singaporeans were arrested in a raid at a unit at Noble Building, 49 Tannery Lane. A total of 3,000,000 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes and 2,145 boxes of toys were seized from a container. The duty and GST on the seized cigarettes are $1,056,000 and $67,500 respectively. The value of the contraband cigarettes is estimated at $1.5 million. 2 On 14 November 2006, at about 2 a.m., a 20-footer container was diverted to Tanjong Pagar Scanning Station for radiographic scanning by VACIS ......15 November 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3019The traffic flow passing through the two land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy during the coming Deeparaya long weekend. For departures, the build-up is expected to start on Friday evening (20 October 2006). For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy on Tuesday evening (24 October 2006).Travellers Have a Part to Play 2. Traffic build-up is inevitable when a large number of travellers want to use the checkpoints at the same time. Members of the public are requested to play a part in helping to ease congestion at the land checkpoints. They can help to ......17 October 2006Travel Advisoryhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2931An attempt to smuggle 114 tablets of the controlled drug Subutex through Woodlands Checkpoint was foiled by an alert checkpoint officer on 9 Oct 06.2 On 9 Oct 06 at about 1810 hours, a Malaysia-registered car was singled out for a routine check at the Woodlands Checkpoint Arrival Car Green Channel. The car was driven by a 56-year-old Malaysian man, and he had two Singaporean passengers, a 32-year-old male Malay and a 30-year-old male Malay. In the course of the check, the checkpoint officer lifted the floor mat of the rear passenger seats and found slabs of tablets hidden underneath ......10 October 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2932A Singaporean bus driver found this out when his attempt to smuggle contraband cigarettes were foiled by officers at the Tuas checkpoint. The man had tried to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore by hiding the contraband in a secret compartment in his Singapore-registered bus but ICA officers managed to uncover his ‘secret’ compartment. 2 On 9 Oct 06 at about 1710 hours, the bus was stopped by a checkpoint officer for a routine check at the Arrival Bus Concourse at Tuas checkpoint. The 41-year-old male driver appeared nervous as ICA officers checked the vehicle. In the course of the search, ......10 October 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2933Two attempts to smuggle cigarettes by air were foiled on 5 October 2006. Officers of Singapore Customs Special Investigations Branch seized 53,500 packets duty-unpaid cigarettes worth $480,000 and arrested three men. The duty and GST payable totalled $419,800.2 A consignment of air cargo declared as three pallets of “toy race cars” was targeted for inspection by both Singapore Customs and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). On 5 October 2006 at about 9.50am, the lorry taking delivery of the three pallets arrived at the Air Cargo Complex Checkpoint for clearance. When one of the pallets was opened for inspection, the ......06 October 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2934A Singaporean smuggler thought that he could outwit checkpoint officers at Woodlands checkpoint by hiding slabs of drugs under his right sock. However, his efforts were in vain as his attempt was foiled by an eagle-eyed officer at the checkpoint.2 On 3 Oct 06, a Malaysia-registered car was singled out for a routine check at the Woodlands Arrival Car Green Channel. The car was driven by a 44-year-old Malaysian man and he had a male passenger in the car. In the course of the check, the checkpoint officer noticed an unusual bulge on the passenger’s right leg. The officer proceeded ......04 October 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2935The dark night failed to dim the officers’ vigilance. On 26 September 2006, at around 8pm, ICA and Police Coast Guard officers jointly conducted a routine check on an Indonesian barge anchored at Pasir Ris Aggregate (a docking area near Lorong Halus). The barge was used to deliver sand to Singapore. 2. The officers kept a keen watch while the sand was being discharged from the barge. Officers then mounted their checks. The loot was soon discovered, hidden in a manhole. A total of 1,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found. 3. The Customs duty, GST and value of the ......27 September 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2936ICA officers at Ports Command foiled an attempt to smuggle 13,200 cartons of contraband cigarettes into Singapore. The successful detection was made with the assistance of the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS). 2 On 21 September 2006 at about 1805 hours, a 20-foot container was diverted to the ICA Tanjong Pagar Scanning Station for radiographic scanning by the VACIS. The consignment in the container was declared to be 750 pieces of carton boxes. Upon analysis of the image taken of the container, ICA officers discovered that there was more than one type of goods in the container. This aroused ......26 September 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2937Question: How do you fit a six-pack into an average-sized vacuum flask? Answer: Simple, take six packets of cigarettes and put it into the empty flask. Who ever said anything about a set of six canned/bottled drinks? 2 The inspiration for this riddle came from a Malaysian man who was caught for smuggling at Woodlands checkpoint on 25 Sep 06 at about 0550 hours. The 40-year-old man had tried to hide contraband cigarettes in various places – six packets in an empty flask, two packets around his waist and another two in his jacket pocket. However, all his efforts were ......25 September 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2938In the space of less than a week, another “underwear smuggler” has been, um, uncovered. With their series of botched “undercover” attempts, we are glad that they are not working for us. 2. Our officers demonstrate a much higher level of competence. Based on information received, ICA officers pounced on the 37-year-old Singaporean man for further checks, when he arrived at the Bus Arrival Hall of Woodlands Checkpoint on 18 September 2006, at around 9.24pm. The drugs were soon uncovered after a body search. A total of 396 tablets suspected to be controlled drugs were stashed in his underwear. 3. ......19 September 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2939Before we get the ophidiophobes (persons with a fear of snakes) all jumpy and flustered, we will like to clarify that it was the snake and reptile skins that were found by ICA officers on a barge. 2 On 14 Sep 2006 at about 1600 hrs, ICA officers from the Anti-Smuggling Team at Coastal Command conducted a search on a barge and the accompanying tugboat. Many wooden crates containing empty canisters of fire extinguishers were stacked onboard the barge and were covered by a piece of canvas sheet. During the search, ICA officers found 11 packages of reptile skin hidden ......15 September 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2940Perhaps he realised that it was not such a good idea after all, trying to smuggle drugs into Singapore. Perhaps the drugs in his underwear and shoe were also starting to feel uncomfortable. He began to feel nervous in the arrival bus hall of Woodlands Checkpoint. Although it was late in the night at 11.30pm on 12 September 2006, the eagle-eyed checkpoint officer noticed the suspicious behaviour. The 39-year-old Singaporean man was singled out for further checks.2. The drugs were soon uncovered. A total of 93 tablets suspected to be controlled drugs were found stashed in his underwear and in ......13 September 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2941Case DetectedOn 13 Sep 2006, at about 0920 hrs, two Malaysian males were arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint for attempting to smuggle in about 4,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore using a Malaysia-registered lorry. 2 During a routine check conducted by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers, the lorry was directed to the gamma ray scanner for more detailed checks. The image analyst noticed some anomalies in the scanned images, when compared with the assortment of items declared. A physical check of the three pallets of consignment declared as “tissue” revealed cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes.3 The 43-year-old driver and ......13 September 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2942Thanks (or no thanks, depending on whose side you are on) to a tip-off received by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), our officers at ICA’s Coastal Command intercepted a motorised sampan that was used to smuggle contraband cigarettes in Singapore waters.2. The case took place on 1 September 2006, at the south of Jurong Island. Our officers began the stake-out shortly after midnight. At around 5am, our target arrived. Officers from our Anti-Smuggling Team quickly spotted the sampan in the darkness and intercepted it. A search on the sampan was swiftly conducted. A mere 10 minutes later, contraband cigarettes ......01 September 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2943If the Malaysian smugglers had thought that they had the perfect smokescreen – a secret compartment in a Malaysia-registered bus, they were wrong. On 29 Aug 2006, ICA officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint exposed the secret compartment and the 1,300 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in it. 2 On 29 Aug 06 at about 1715 hours, ICA officers deployed at Woodlands checkpoint boarded the bus for a routine check. In the course of their search, the alert officers discovered a modified compartment at the rear of the vehicle. A total of 1,300 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found hidden in ......30 August 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3021GUARDIANS OF OUR GATEWAYICA is ready for S2006The guardians of Singapore's gateway, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has tightened its security checks at the checkpoints in the run-up to Singapore 2006 (S2006). 2 Given the current security climate, ICA has taken the necessary steps to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, weapons, explosives and other security items that may compromise the safety of Singapore. Our priority is to ensure the safety and security of our residents, visitors and delegates attending the event3 "Our officers maintain a high level of vigilance at the checkpoints. They are trained to look ......30 August 2006Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2944As part of vigorous and deterrent enforcement efforts, a 50-year-old female Malay was caught at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 23 August 2006 for attempting to smuggle Subutex into Singapore. At total of six-and-a-half Subutex tablets and another 96 tablets suspected to be controlled drugs were seized from the suspect.2 On 23 August 2006 at about 2005 hours, ICA officers stopped and conducted a check on the 50-year-old suspect at the Woodlands Checkpoint Arrival Bus Green Channel. ICA officers noticed that she was behaving suspiciously and proceeded to conduct a body search. A total of six-and-a-half 8mg Subutex tablets and 96 ......24 August 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2945If you ask an Ah Beng what can be found in secret compartments, he would tell you, “Cigarettes lah! Of course ‘cigarette’ compartments keep cigarettes!” Well, he may have mistaken ‘cigarette’ for ‘secret’, but he is right on this occasion. On 23 Aug 06, 5,997 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found hidden in various secret compartments of two private buses at Tuas checkpoint. 2 On 23 Aug 06 at about 1730 hours, two Singapore-registered private buses were stopped at the Arrival Bus Concourse at Tuas checkpoint for a routine check. In the course of their checks, ICA officers detected secret ......24 August 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2946Click here for Interview With DPM Wong Kan Seng.23 August 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2947As checkpoint custodians, ICA officers take their job seriously. The officers keep a close watch on vehicles and persons to prevent the smuggling of unlawful goods and persons through our checkpoints. Three persons were caught for trying to smuggle different contraband items through Woodlands Checkpoint on 14 and 15 August 2006. A Singaporean woman was caught for smuggling cannabis in her bra and diapers, a Malaysian man for smuggling uncensored discs and another Malaysian man for smuggling contraband cigarettes. The details of the three cases are as follows: Case 1 : Woman wears diapers to smuggle drugs2 The first case ......15 August 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3016On 14 August 2006 at about 0515 hours, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted a joint operation with Singapore Customs (SC) at a 2-storey shop house at Lorong Tahar. A man identified as a supplier of contraband cigarettes was arrested during the operation and 1,842 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized. During the operation, an additional four immigration offenders and their harbourer were also arrested. 2 During the operation, officers rushed into the house on the second floor and saw a man trying to escape by leaping out of the window. The Singaporean man landed on a stationary lorry. ......15 August 2006Joint Operationshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2948On 13 August 2006, ICA officers foiled a Malaysian man’s attempt to smuggle 3030 pieces of uncensored optical discs through Woodlands checkpoint. 2 At around 1725 hours, the 28-year-old Malaysian was driving his Malaysia-registered car through Woodlands Checkpoint when he was stopped by an ICA officer for a routine check. He appeared very nervous as our officers were checking his car. Sensing something amiss, our Task Force officers were deployed to conduct a thorough check on the driver and his car. In the course of the check, the officers detected 3030 pieces of discs suspected to be obscene and uncensored ......14 August 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2949Police have arrested a 48-year old Malaysian Chinese man on the morning of 11 August 2006 for importing 1,995 counterfeit Singapore $1 coins from Malaysia to Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint. 2 On 11 August 2006 at about 12.30 a.m, acting on information received, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conducted a check on a Malaysian-registered car, which had arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint from Johor. The car was driven by the man, who was the only person in the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, ICA officers found 1,995 Singapore $1 coins packed in several plastic-bags within ......11 August 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3017On 8 August 2006 at about 2.25 pm, Singapore Customs seized 22,500 cartons (225,000 packets) of duty-unpaid cigarettes at Tagore Lane. The cigarettes carry an estimated market value of $2 million. The total duty and GST payable is about S$1,775,700. 2 The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) scanned and detected suspicious contraband items in a 20-footer container and alerted Singapore Customs. On 7 August 2006, the container was trucked out of the PSA Tanjong Pagar port to Tagore Lane. The team of officers from Singapore Customs moved in to check the container and found 22,500 cartons of undeclared Marlboro cigarettes. ......11 August 2006Joint Operationshttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2950Three Singaporeans were caught in separate incidents for trying to smuggle in contraband cigarettes over the past two days. They probably thought that the whole country was in a celebratory mood and hence checks would be lax at the checkpoints. Little did they know that checkpoint officers demonstrated their commitment and dedication to the country by keeping a close watch at the checkpoints to prevent the smuggling of unlawful persons and goods into Singapore. In the three cases, the smugglers had tried to hide their contraband cigarettes in various parts of their cars. One of the Singaporean smugglers was also ......10 August 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2951A male Singaporean, aged 54, has been charged and sentenced in court for disorderly behaviour and using abusive language on a public servant.2. The incident happened on 29 July 2006, at about 6.15am at the arrival bus hall of Woodlands Checkpoint. The man was stopped by an ICA officer for further checks. In the course of the checks, the man was asked to empty his pocket, where a packet of shag tobacco (weighing 50 grams) was uncovered. The man then shouted at the two officers conducting the checks, saying ‘check what?’ and other vulgarities. He then challenged the officers’ authority ......04 August 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3022The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is gearing up for the public introduction of the Singapore biometric passport (BioPass) on 15 August 2006. The days before 15 August 2006 i.e. from 10 to 14 August 2006 will be crucial dates for ICA to install and test the new systems before the actual launch. Further to our news release issued on 25 July 2006, ICA would like to remind Singaporeans that some passport services will be disrupted from 10 to 14 August 2006.Counter servicesPassport applications and photo updates2. Passport application counters will continue to be closed after the National Day public ......04 August 2006Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2952The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will introduce the Singapore Biometric Passport (BioPass) on 15 August 2006. Following this, Singapore has met requirements under the US Visa Waiver Programme which calls for countries to roll out their Biometric Passport before 26 October 2006.Public is advised not to rush for BioPass2. Singaporeans holding the current non-biometric machine-readable passports can continue to enjoy visa-free travel to the US up to 90 days uner the Visa Waiver Programme. There is no need for these Singaporeans to convert their passports to a BioPass even if they are travelling to the US. All our passports ......25 July 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2953A Singaporean man thought that he could smuggle his secret cache of uncensored discs into Singapore by hiding them in secret compartments in his car. Alas, he realised that he could not keep any secrets from ICA when his smuggling attempt was foiled by officers at Woodlands Checkpoint. A total of 3,745 pieces of illegal discs were found in his car. 2 On 25 Jul 06 at around 0100hours, the 21-year-old Singaporean was driving a Singapore-registered car through Woodlands Checkpoint when he was stopped by a checkpoint officer for a routine check. The man appeared very fidgety and nervous as ......25 July 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2954With the help of the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS), ICA officers foiled an attempt to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore. 2 On 19 July 2006 at about 1830 hours, a 20-foot container declared to contain 660 units of inkjet printers was diverted to the ICA Pasir Panjang Scanning Station for radiographic scanning by the VACIS. Upon analysis of the image taken of the container, ICA officers discovered that there was more than one type of goods in the container. This aroused our officers’ suspicion and they decided to check the container physically. There was no inkjet printer greeting ......21 July 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2955A Singaporean man tried to smuggle drugs through the Woodlands Checkpoint at 0100 hours on 20 Jul 2006. You would not want to be in his shoes, both figuratively and literally, when checkpoint officers conducted a search on him. The vigilant officers found two small bundles of cannabis weighing about 232g, with a street value of more than S$3,400, inside his shoes. 2 The 24-year-old man was in a Malaysia-registered taxi with a driver and another female passenger when the car was stopped at Woodlands Checkpoint for a routine check. One of the officers had asked the Singaporean man to ......21 July 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2956We have done it again. On 11 July 2006, at 11.17pm, our vigilant officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint have detected another major haul of contraband cigarettes.Case detected2. While examining the gamma scan images of a Malaysian-registered lorry declared to be carrying garbage bags, our observant officer noticed that there were items of lower density at the bottom of the consignment. The lorry was then directed for further checks. While the items of higher density at the top and back of the lorry were found to be black garbage bags, the items of lower density at the bottom were found to ......12 July 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2957On paper, it looked like a foolproof plan to smuggle drugs into Singapore –wrap the drugs with a seemingly innocuous piece of paper before stuffing it into the pocket located at the back of the front seat. However, the drug smuggler had forgotten to factor in the vigilance and dedication of the officers in foiling smuggling attempts through the checkpoints. On 7 July 2006, the 26-year-old drug smuggler found out that nothing escapes the eyes of our checkpoint officers, not even something as small as pills and tablets. The Singaporean man was caught for trying to smuggle tablets suspected to ......07 July 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2958While many Singaporeans are in bed dreaming of their favourite team’s triumph at the World Cup, ICA officers are on constant alert at the checkpoints 24/7, keeping Singapore safe and secure. A 40-year-old Malaysian man found out that ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint maintained a high level of vigilance even in the early hours of the morning when he was caught for trying to smuggle contraband cigarettes. He had hidden the cigarettes in a modified fuel tank in his car to escape detection at the checkpoint. However, his efforts were in vain as ICA officers found the 99 cartons of ......03 July 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2959It is not what you think. On 2 July 2006 at about 2000 hours, ICA officers had found a bottle of 100 blue tablets suspected to be ‘Ecstasy’ on a Singaporean woman at Woodlands Checkpoint. The woman had hidden the bottle of tablets in her underwear. The woman was in a Malaysia-registered car with a driver and three other persons when the car was stopped at Woodlands Checkpoint for a routine check. One of the officers conducting the check noticed that the woman appeared very nervous and was standing in an awkward manner.2 Two female officers conducted a search on ......03 July 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2960A Singaporean man found out that even when he tries to smuggle something as small as tablets by hiding them in a packet of rice, ICA officers will rise to the occasion and foiled his attempt. On 29 June 2006 at about 1205 hours, the Singaporean man was stopped at the Arrival Bus Hall at Woodlands Checkpoint for a routine check. While checking his belongings, the alert ICA officer noticed that the 37-year-old man was fidgeting nervously. Sensing something amiss, the officer directed the man into the ICA office for a thorough check. 2 The officer’s suspicions were confirmed when ......30 June 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2961A man was caught at Tuas Checkpoint on 26 Jun 06 for trying to smuggle contraband cigarettes hidden in secret compartments behind the dashboard panel and inside the modified fuel tank. About three hours later, another man was caught at Woodlands Checkpoint for trying to smuggle contraband cigarettes and uncensored optical discs into Singapore. The 'smoke-screen' (cigarettes-uncensored movie discs combo) failed him as officers at the checkpoint detected the cigarettes and optical discs hidden in the dashboard and car panels respectively. Their misdeeds uncovered, the CADS (Cigarettes And Discs Smugglers), their vehicles and unlawful goods were handed over to the ......27 June 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3023Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng welcomed Dato' Seri Mohd Radzi bin Sheikh Ahmad, Minister of Home Affairs, Malaysia, and his delegation at the Ministry of Home Affairs this morning. Minister Radzi is in Singapore for a working visit .2 During the call, Minister Radzi and DPM Wong discussed matters of mutual interest, including the immigration requirements for travel between the two countries. Malaysia had previously announced that Malaysian Restricted Passports (MRPs) would not be valid for travel after 31 December 2006. In accordance to international practice for all travel documents to have a validity ......23 June 2006Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2962While the World Cup fever hits Singapore, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) were busy doing their part in keeping out a more lethal form of ‘fever’ out of Singapore – bird flu. 2. Having received information that an exporter had plans to smuggle frozen ducks from Selangor into Singapore, ICA’s team of officers immediately sprang into action to nab the smugglers before the frozen ducks could enter the local market in Singapore. The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) had suspended poultry and egg imports from Selangor in February 2006.3. Officers from the Woodlands Checkpoint kept a vigilant ......20 June 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2963Over the weekend, a sedan, two Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) and two buses were detained for attempting to smuggle illegal items into Singapore. In the real world, unlike the latest animation flick from Pixar, it is the drivers that will have to face the legal consequences if convicted. Car 12. Acting on information received, two Woodlands Task Force officers were on the lookout for a certain Malaysian-registered car for a possible concealment of contrabands in the vehicle. On 17 June 2006, at around 7am, the car arrived. After passing through the Green Channel, the car was stopped and directed for 100 ......19 June 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2964A smuggler found out this afternoon that they are not just under the watchful eyes of ICA officers when passing through the checkpoints. They also have to contend with a set of powerful ‘eyes’ in the form of the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS) deployed by ICA. Using VACIS, ICA officers ‘saw’ the cartons of contraband cigarettes that were hidden in his lorry without having to conduct a physical inspection of the container. 2 On 2 June 2006 at around 1430 hours, ICA officers deployed at Woodlands checkpoint singled out a Malaysia-registered truck for a thorough check after a ......02 June 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2965This is in response to media queries and with reference to media reports on the use of MyKad for travel between Singapore and Malaysia and cancellation of Malaysian Restricted Passports.2 On 6 April 2006, the Malaysian media had quoted Malaysia's Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad as saying that "Malaysia had agreed to Singapore's request in 2004 to scrap the restricted passport system, although there were objections from many people in Johor at that time." On 26 May 2006, Bernama reported that "beginning July 1, Singapore will no longer accept Malaysian Restricted Passports as a legal travel ......29 May 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3024We refer to the article published in Nanyang Siang Pau on 21 June 2006 ("MyKad may replace Malaysian Restricted Passport as a travel document"), which reported Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho as saying it was highly possible that MyKad would replace the Malaysian restricted passport as a travel document for Malaysians entering Singapore to work. The article had also mentioned twice that Singapore has yet to respond to M'sian Government's proposal to use MyKad. 2. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) would like to clarify that there has been no discussion between Malaysian and Singapore immigration authorities ......29 May 2006Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2966No matter how ingenious you are in trying to smuggle contraband into Singapore, ICA officers will always be there at the checkpoints to foil your attempts. On 19 May 06 at around 0940 hours, ICA officers using the radiographic scanner caught a Malaysian man for trying to smuggle 5000 cartons of contraband cigarettes through Woodlands Checkpoint. How the contraband cigarettes were hidden was interesting. About 15 empty cardboard boxes were flattened and strapped together to make a bundle. A box containing 50 cartons of contraband cigarettes would then be hidden in a hole specially cut out in the bundle of ......19 May 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2967The traffic flow passing through the two land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy during the coming long weekend. For departures, the build-up is expected to start on Thursday evening (11 May 2006). For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy on Sunday evening (14 May 2006). 2. Traffic build-up is inevitable when a large number of travellers want to use the checkpoints at the same time. Members of the public are requested to play a part in helping to ease congestion at the land checkpoints. They can help to minimise the congestion by maintaining lane ......09 May 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2968A Singaporean man learnt that posing as a courier does not necessarily mean that he would be successful in 'delivering' his contraband cigarettes to Singapore. The 44-year-old man had tried to smuggle the contraband cigarettes into Singapore by hiding them in big brown envelopes and passing them off as courier packages. Well, he failed to deliver when officers at Woodlands checkpoint uncovered the cigarettes hidden in the envelopes. 2 On 2 May 2006 at about 0805 hours, the 44-year-old man rode into Singapore on his Singapore-registered motorcycle. The pillion rider was his 44-year-old Singaporean wife. Officers at Woodlands checkpoint stopped ......02 May 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2969The traffic flow passing through the two land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy during the coming long weekend. For departures, the build-up is expected to start on Friday evening (28 April 2006). For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy on Sunday evening (30 April 2006) and Monday evening (1 May 2006).2. Traffic build-up is inevitable when a large number of travellers want to use the checkpoints at the same time. Members of the public are requested to play a part in helping to ease congestion at the land checkpoints. They can help to minimise ......25 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2970A Malaysian man probably thought that he could rest easy, as it was unlikely that the ICA officers at Woodlands checkpoint would detect the contraband cigarettes hidden in the divan beds that he was delivering. He was given a rude awakening when ICA officers uncovered the hidden contraband cigarettes in the divan beds. A total of 3,000 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were recovered. 2 On 24 April 2006 at about 0940 hours, the Malaysia-registered bonded truck driven by the man was stopped at Woodlands checkpoint for a routine check. A scan was done on the truck using the radiographic scanner ......25 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2971A Singaporean man must have thought that, with his family in tow, he would not be stopped and subjected to stringent checks at Woodlands checkpoint. He must have thought that bringing his family to Johor Bahru for dinner, and smuggling in contraband cigarettes when he returned to Singapore was a foolproof plan. The 45-year-old man was in for a rude shock, when checkpoint officers stopped his car for a check and found 105 cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden in a secret compartment. 2 On 20 April 2006 at around 2155 hours, officers deployed at Woodlands checkpoint stopped a Singapore-registered car ......21 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2972Four smugglers found out, in separate incidents, that ICA also stands for ‘I Check All’, when their attempts to smuggle illegal optical discs into Singapore were thwarted by ICA officers at Woodlands checkpoint. A total of 6,700 pieces of illegal optical discs were detected in the four smuggling incidents. Case 1 – Secret compartment in modified fuel tank2 On 18 April 2006 at about 0750 hours, a 33-year-old Malaysian was driving his Malaysia-registered car through Woodlands Checkpoint when he was stopped by an ICA officer for a routine check. He appeared very nervous and avoided eye contact with the officer. ......19 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2973Smugglers have found out that they cannot win in scavenger hunts with ICA. Their attempts to play the ‘find-my-hidden-cigarettes’ game always end with them losing their contraband items, their vehicles and sometimes their freedom (i.e. given custodial sentence). In three separate incidents over the weekend, ICA officers uncovered a total of 330 cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden in secret compartments in the smugglers’ cars. Case 1 – Secret compartment beneath the floorboard2 On 13 April 2006 at about 1630 hours, a Singapore-registered multi-purpose vehicle was stopped by an ICA officer for a routine check at Woodlands checkpoint. The 43-year-old male ......17 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2974A Singaporean found this out when his attempt to smuggle contraband cigarettes were foiled by officers at Woodlands checkpoint. The man had tried to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore by hiding the contraband in a secret compartment in his car but ICA officers managed to uncover his ‘secret’ compartment. 2 On 13 April 2006 at about 0040 hours, his Singapore-registered car was stopped by a checkpoint officer for a routine check at the Arrival Car Green Channel at Woodlands checkpoint. The 44-year-old male driver appeared nervous as the officer checked the vehicle. In the course of his search, the officer ......13 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2975On 11 Apr 2006 at about 1225 hours, a Singaporean man tried to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore by hiding them in the spare tyre compartment and another secret compartment in the car boot. However, his smuggling attempt fell flat when ICA officers at Woodlands checkpoint uncovered his secret stash during a routine check. A total of 85 cartons and 60 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found in the car. 2 The 45-year-old man's Singapore-registered Mercedes was stopped at Woodlands checkpoint at the Arrival Car Green Channel for a routine check. The eagle-eyed ICA officer detected some cartons of cigarettes ......12 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2976The traffic flow passing through the two land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy during the coming long weekend. For departures, the build-up is expected to start on both Thursday evening (13 April 2006) and Friday morning (14 April 2006). For arrivals, traffic is expected to be heavy on Sunday evening (16 April 2006). 2. Traffic build-up is inevitable when a large number of travellers want to use the checkpoints at the same time. Members of the public are requested to play a part in helping to ease congestion at the land checkpoints. They can help ......11 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2977The anguish and anxiety experienced by the renowned Spanish football club Barcelona during its recent goal drought is something that ICA would not be able to identify with, considering the plethora of goals it has been ‘scoring’ against smugglers. On 5 Apr 06, ICA scored three ‘goals’ against drug smugglers when her officers foiled three separate attempts to smuggle drugs into Singapore. Two of the goals were scored at Woodlands checkpoint and another at Changi Airport. These smugglers have learnt that they will lose the game regardless of the ‘stadium’ (i.e. checkpoint) they play in. ICA 1 DRUG SMUGGLERS 0 ......06 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2978Just one day after ICA officers had caught 45 immigration offenders (IOs) during an operation in Geylang, they were hot on the heels of IOs again. This time round, they had teamed up with police officers to conduct a joint operation in a forested area near Old Tampines Road. A total of 43 IOs were arrested during the operation in the early hours on 5 April 2006.2 Under the cover of darkness, the officers moved stealthily into position with the targeted makeshift huts in sight. When the command was given, the officers moved in quickly and arrested the IOs who ......05 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2979Most Singaporeans would have called it a day and sleeping peacefully in their beds at 0230 hours. Not so for the immigration offenders (IOs) in this country. No IO can sleep peacefully when they know that ICA officers who are fiercely dedicated to the cause of weeding out IOs are hot on their heels. A total of 45 IOs were caught by ICA officers during an operation in Geylang in the early hours on 4 April 2006.2 Enforcement officers from ICA first went up to the roof top of the three-storey apartment and stormed through the door. This caught many ......04 April 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2980A 73-year-old Malaysian man was caught this morning for trying to smuggle contraband cigarettes at Tuas checkpoint. He had hidden the cigarettes in various secret compartments in his car to escape detection at the checkpoint. However, his efforts were in vain as checkpoint officers found the 250 cartons of contraband cigarettes that were hidden in his car. 2 On 31 Mar 06 at about 0710 hours, the Malaysian’s car was stopped at the Arrival Car Green Channel for a routine check. The man appeared very nervous when he was interviewed by the officer. This raised the officer’s suspicions and he ......31 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2981The design and security features of "BioPass", Singapore's first biometric passport were unveiled by Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) this morning. Features of BioPass2. BioPass comes with enhanced secure features which will help to ensure that the Singapore passport remains as a highly secure travel document.What's new3. The most noticeable new features of BioPass are:(i) The inclusion of International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) e-passport logo on the front cover of the passport; and(ii) The polycarbonate data page containing the bio-data of the passport holder.Polycarbonate data ......31 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2982Secret compartments were the order of the day as officers deployed at the land checkpoints detected the compartments in three vehicles in separate incidents over the weekend. In the first case, approximately 40kg of liquor were found in a specially modified fuel tank. For the second case at Woodlands checkpoint, about 100 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found in secret compartments in the glove compartment and rear passenger seat of the car. In the third case at Tuas checkpoint, 111 cartons of cigarettes were found also in the glove compartment and rear passenger seat.Strike 1 - You can get intoxicated ......27 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2983Officers deployed at Woodlands Checkpoint foiled two attempts to smuggle in uncensored optical discs and Dormicum in two separate incidents on 23 Mar 06. In both cases, the smugglers had tried to hide their illegal goods in the secret compartments in their vehicles. In the first case, 1,304 pieces of uncensored optical discs were uncovered. In the second case, 400 tablets of Dormicum were found. Case 1 – Pirate taxi driver modifies his Mercedes for smuggling but… 2 On 23 Mar 2006, at about 1220 hrs, a white arriving Malaysia-registered Mercedes at the Woodlands Checkpoint was singled out for a ......24 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2984Two Indonesian seamen had tried to smuggle 1,179 cartons of contraband cigarettes and tobacco products into Singapore by hiding the goods inside a barge towed by a tugboat. However, their dreams of barging into the next income bracket were dashed when vigilant ICA officers detected the contraband after a search on the barge and tugboat. 2 On 22 Mar 2006 at about 1350 hours, ICA officers intercepted and boarded a tugboat that had arrived from Indonesia. The boat was towing a barge laden with sand into Singapore. Our officers conducted a check on the six Indonesian crew and their tugboat ......23 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2985…hiding contraband cigarettes, as a Malaysian man found out on 17 Mar 06 at Tuas Checkpoint. He had tried to smuggle 50 cartons of contraband cigarettes by hiding them in the spare tyre compartment found inside the car boot. The 45-year-old man’s smuggling attempt was foiled when an alert officer at the checkpoint uncovered the tyre compartment and found the contraband cigarettes after a thorough check on his car. 2 The man had driven his Malaysian-registered car to Singapore through Tuas Checkpoint at about 0550 hours. He was stopped by a checkpoint officer for a routine check. In the course ......17 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2986Officers deployed at Woodlands Checkpoint foiled two separate attempts to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore. In both cases, the smugglers had tried to hide their contraband cigarettes in various parts of their cars. A total of 1,160 sticks of cigarettes were uncovered in the two cases.Case 1 - K-9 officer sniffs out driver’s hot seat2 On 15 Mar 06 at about 2215 hours, a Singapore-registered car was stopped by a K-9 officer for a routine check at the Arrival Car Green Channel. The male Singaporean driver appeared nervous as the officer checked the vehicle. In the course of his search, ......16 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2987A Malaysian man panicked and tried to escape on his motorcycle when contraband cigarettes were found in his motorcycle. The quick-thinking checkpoint officer immediately pulled out the ignition key to stop the motorcycle. The 39-year-old man was arrested and a total of 162 packets of contraband cigarettes were found hidden in various parts of the motorcycle. This was just one of the 67 smuggling cases detected at the land checkpoints over the weekend. 2 In another incident on 12 Mar 06 at about 1145 hours, a Malaysian couple (a 32-year-old man and 30-year-old woman) tried to smuggle in 15 cartons ......13 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2988In the early hours of 08 Mar 2006, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted a joint-operation with the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) and raided 13 units in two Housing & Development Board (HDB) blocks in Marsiling Estate. A total of 33 immigration offenders who were engaged in cockles shucking and six harbourers were arrested. 2 Under the cover of the night, ICA and AVA officers positioned themselves around Marsiling Estate and laid in wait. A lorry was soon spotted driving into the estate. Bags of cockles were observed to be handed over to some suspected immigration ......09 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2989On 8 Mar 2006 at around 1750 hrs, an ICA officer stopped and checked a male Malay Singaporean arriving at the Singapore Cruise Centre on a ferry from Batam, Indonesia. A body search yielded a packet of 40 grams of shag tobacco hidden inside his back pockets and three packets of Romilar tablets, a controlled substance under the Poisons Act, stuffed in the front of his underwear. 2 When interviewed, the subject claimed that the tablets were for his personal consumption and that he had bought them from a "Jamu" shop at Batam. He also acknowledged that he did not ......09 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2990No, we are not talking about charismatic charlatans or motivational men with feel-good messages. The speakers we are referring to are the non-living kind, and one such set was used by a Singaporean man to hide 'Ecstasy' pills and other controlled drugs he had tried to smuggle through Woodlands Checkpoint on 4 Mar 06. 2 On 4 Mar 06 at about 2050 hours, an officer at Woodlands Checkpoint stopped and conducted a check on the Singapore-registered motorcycle ridden by the smuggler at the Arrival motorcycle lane. The 21-year-old male Singaporean motorcyclist got off his motorcycle and looked very nervous as ......07 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2991The warning signs were there – ICA had detected 7,100 cases of cigarette and tobacco products smuggling in 2005, and more recently, 41 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found in a luxury car. Despite the high detection rate at the checkpoints, a Malaysian man was foolish enough to try smuggling chewing tobacco into Singapore. He learned the folly of his smuggling attempt when he was caught at Woodlands Checkpoint. 2 On 7 Mar 2006 at around 0610 hours, an auxiliary police officer stopped a Malaysian-registered motorcycle for a routine check. In the course of his check, the officer uncovered 68 ......07 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2992On 2 Mar 2006 at about 0020 hours, the Anti-Smuggling Team (AST) from Coastal Command, ICA intercepted and boarded a locally registered crew boat at Jurong River. The boat was manned by the Master and his deckhand. Our observant ICA officers noticed that the 48-year-old deckhand appeared very nervous when he was asked to produce his identity card. This caused our ICA officers to suspect that the seamen might be involved in some smuggling activity. A check in the engine room confirmed the ICA officers’ suspicions when they found boxes wrapped in black trash bags that contained cigarettes. 2 A ......02 March 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2993The Singaporean luxury car driver might have thought that checkpoint officers would be less suspicious of him if he drove a bigger car. Unfortunately, he found himself Intercepted, Checked and Arrested for attempting to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore.2. On 27 February 2006 at around 8.25am, an auxiliary police officer stopped the Singapore-registered luxury car for a routine check. In the course of the checks, the officer noticed that there were signs of deliberate concealment on the speaker – there was an additional metal piece obstructing its base. Assisted by a colleague, the officers unscrewed the front of the speaker ......28 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2994On 21 Feb 2006, Mr Ken Kanada pleaded guilty to the charge of abusing ICA officers in the execution of their duties under the Customs Act. He had used foul language on three ICA officers after they subjected his bags for examination at Changi Airport. The 33-year-old man subsequently paid a fine of $2,000 imposed by the District Judge. 2 Mr Kanada had returned to Singapore from Bangkok, Thailand on 9 Jan 2006 at about 2240 hours through Changi Airport Terminal 2. The Japanese Employment Pass holder was stopped by ICA officers for a routine check of his baggage using ......23 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2995On 14 Feb 06 at about 2040 hours, checkpoint officers at Woodlands checkpoint found controlled drugs on two 'cuties' in a Malaysian-registered taxi with two men. The two 'cuties' were not the guys’ Valentine Day dates, but referred to two packets of 'Cutie' tissue papers used to hide the drugs. 2 The checkpoint officer had stopped and conducted a check on the taxi coming into Singapore through Woodlands checkpoint. The passenger, a 32-year-old Singaporean man, appeared very nervous as the officer checked him and the car. In the course of the search, the officer found two packets of 'Cutie' tissue ......15 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2996On 13 Feb 06 at about 2000 hours, a Singaporean man was caught by ICA officers at Changi Airport for trying to smuggle in 12 endangered birds – 11 blue-eyed cockatoos and one black-capped lory. 2 The 32-year-old man was stopped by an ICA officer for a routine x-ray screening at the baggage examination area at Changi Airport, Arrival Terminal 1. The man was reluctant to have his two hand-carried luggage scanned but did so after several reminders. The observant ICA officer noticed some images resembling bodies of birds from the x-ray scan, and requested to check the man’s bags. ......14 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2997ICA sunk two attempts to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore on 13 Feb 06. At about 0610 hours, ICA officers found 150 cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden in some oil drums onboard a wooden coastal vessel docked at the Pasir Panjang Wharf. 20 minutes later, ICA officers found 14 cartons of contraband cigarettes on another wooden vessel that had arrived at the wharf. ICA had been drumming in the message that ICA stands for 'I Check All', and it would do smugglers and would-be offenders a whole lot of good if they had heeded the warning.2 On 13 Feb 06 ......13 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2998Another contraband smuggler was put out of business when he was caught trying to smuggle about 1,595 cartons of contraband cigarettes through Woodlands checkpoint on 10 Feb 2006. The smuggler had tried to hide the contraband cigarettes in various parts of a bus to avoid detection but all his efforts were in vain, given ICA's stringent checks. This was the second cigarette smuggling case that ICA had busted in two consecutive days. ICA had thwarted an attempt to smuggle about 1,352 cartons of contraband cigarettes through Tuas checkpoint on 9 Feb 2006. 2 On 10 Feb 2006 at about 0630 ......10 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=2999A smuggler probably thought that he should avoid going through Woodlands checkpoint given that DPM Jayakumar was visiting Woodlands checkpoint today. He thought that a better idea would be to try smuggling his contraband cigarettes through Tuas checkpoint. Well, he was half-right. He was right to avoid Woodlands checkpoint given the increased security checks, but the security at Tuas checkpoint was just as tight! The Singaporean man was caught by vigilant ICA officers while trying to smuggle about 1,352 cartons of contraband cigarettes through Tuas checkpoint. 2 On 9 Feb 2006 at about 0805 hours, the Singapore-registered bus was stopped ......09 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3000Being the guardian of Singapore’s checkpoints, ICA is acutely aware that our borders are the first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’s security against possible terrorist attacks. The increased security checks at all our checkpoints are critical to our nation’s security, especially since terrorism remains a clear and present threat to Singapore. 2. ICA now conducts 100 per cent checks on persons, cargo and conveyances that pass through our checkpoints. These enhanced security checks have been effective in helping to detect cases of smuggling illegal goods and illegal immigrants. 3. ICA recognises the fact that security checks take time and ......09 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3001Being the guardian of Singapore’s checkpoints, ICA is acutely aware that our borders are the first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’s security against possible terrorist attacks. The increased security checks at all our checkpoints are critical to our nation’s security, especially since terrorism remains a clear and present threat to Singapore. 09 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3002Year 2005 was another dismal year for contraband smugglers as they continued to get caught by the Immigration & Checkpoint Authority (ICA) despite trying to vary their methods of concealment. ICA will continue to put more of them out of business this year. Smuggling of contraband and illegal goods2. Last year saw a 7 per cent decrease in the number of contraband smuggling cases detected at the checkpoints, falling from about 18,300 cases in 2004 to 17,000 in 2005.Total number of contraband-smuggling cases detected Year 2004 18,300 Year 2005 17,000 ......08 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3003The Malaysia Immigration Department (MI) stopped issuing and renewing MRPs on 1 Jan 2005 and declared that MRPs would not be valid for travel after 31 Dec 2006. In line with the international practice requiring all travel documents to have a validity of at least 6 months upon arrival, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will cease accepting MRP as a valid travel document to Singapore with effect from 1 July 2006. Malaysian travellers who intend to travel to Singapore, as well as those who intend to apply for any immigration facilities, on and after 1 July 2006 are required ......07 February 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3004More than a few people would immediately suspect some hanky-panky if they were to spot unusual movements in the bushes. 2. On the morning of 27 January 2006, at around 6.25am, two auxiliary police officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint, too, knew that bushes do not move on their own, especially if they happen to be located near the checkpoint. Having the greater concern of the safety and security of Singapore’s borders, they hurried over to have a look. A man was found loitering amongst the bushes. The officers then handed the man over to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) ......27 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3005One moment, a Malaysian man was drinking beer with his buddies in Johor, Malaysia, and the next moment, he found himself arrested in Singapore at Tuas checkpoint! In his drunken stupor and without any valid travel documents, he had somehow managed to drive his blue Malaysian-registered car out of Malaysia and was about to enter Singapore through Tuas checkpoint when he was stopped by the enforcement officers stationed there.2 On 25 Jan 06 at about 2155 hours, enforcement officers at Tuas checkpoint stopped a blue car at the Arrival Lorry Complex. A drunken Malaysian Indian man was at the wheel ......26 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3006A Malaysian man driving a van into Singapore had a secret – he had a secret cache of uncensored discs that he was trying to smuggle into Singapore in a secret compartment in his van. However, he realised that he could not keep any secrets from ICA when his smuggling attempt was foiled by ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint. A total of 6,527 pieces of illegal discs were found in the secret compartment of his van. This followed hot on the heels of another smuggling case detected at Woodlands* checkpoint involving a secret compartment in a vehicle. 2 On 24 ......25 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3007The traffic flow passing through the land checkpoints, in particular for car travellers is expected to be very heavy during the coming Chinese New Year period. The peak period is expected to start from 25 Jan 06 to 1 Feb 06. We are expecting 80% more car travellers to use the land checkpoints during this period, as compared to a typical weekday. This will translate into an increase of more than 60,000 car travellers passing through the land checkpoints daily during this festive season. The number of bus travellers passing through Tuas Checkpoint during this period is also expected to ......24 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3008A Bas Kilang driver must have wished that his bus would 'disappear' from the view of ICA officers when they directed his bus for a routine check at Woodlands checkpoint. ICA officers not only saw the bus as it was coming into the Woodlands Arrival Bus Bay, they also spotted the 1700 cartons of contraband cigarettes that he had hidden on the bus. 2 On 23 Jan 2006 at about 0550 hours, the Bas Kilang was stopped at Woodlands checkpoint for a routine check by ICA officers. The 25-year-old Malaysian bus driver appeared very nervous as our officers inspected the ......24 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3009Two weeks after the largest seizure of contraband cigarettes at the land checkpoints, ICA notched another large haul of cigarettes at Tuas checkpoint. An attempt to smuggle a total of 8,196 cartons of contraband cigarettes through Tuas checkpoint was foiled by ICA officers with the help of a radiographic scanner. 2 On 20 Jan 06 at about 0800 hours, the ICA officer manning the VACIS (Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System) at Tuas checkpoint noticed something amiss when she screened the contents of a Malaysia-registered lorry. The lorry was said to be carrying 380 cartons of washing soap powder, but the ......20 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3010A Malaysian couple's attempt to sneak out of Singapore went kaput when they were stopped in their tracks at Woodlands checkpoint on 18 Jan 06. They had tried to avoid detection by hiding in the boot of a car departing from Singapore. Two other Malaysians were also arrested for trying to ferry the couple out of the country.2 On 18 Jan 06 at about 2055 hours, a Malaysian-registered car was stopped at the Departure Car Bay at Woodlands checkpoint for a routine check. The checkpoint officer noticed that the driver appeared nervous while his front-seat passenger looked very stiff. Two ......19 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3011A lorry attendant was caught at Tuas Checkpoint for trying to smuggle heroin into Singapore. It was ironical that the straws of heroin were hidden in a small container shaped like a hand giving the thumbs-up, as Singapore is known for giving the thumbs-down to drugs. 2 On 16 Jan 06 at about 0630 hours, ICA officers stopped and conducted a check on a consignment of live cockles onboard a lorry. Although the consignment was in order, the observant ICA officer noticed that the Malay lorry attendant was behaving in a suspicious manner during the entire check. He was casting ......17 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3025WASHINGTON, D.C., January 13, 2006 — A live test of e-Passports, that contain contactless chips with biographic and biometric information and the readers that are capable of reading these e-Passports, begins January 15, 2006 at Terminal G at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This test is a collaborative effort between the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore that will run through April 15, 2006. “This test provides an important opportunity to work with our international partners to further the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to put in place an e-Passport reader solution by the fall of this year,” said ......13 January 2006Notice Boardhttp://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3012To everything there is a season. There is a season for eating mooncakes and carrying lanterns but it is not NOW. A male PRC national had tried to smuggle in duty-unpaid cigarettes through Changi Airport by hiding them in two mooncake containers. However, he was stopped in his tracks when an ICA officer found 920 sticks of loose cigarettes hidden in the two metal containers. 2 On 9 Jan 06 at about 2140 hours, the 48-year-old PRC national was stopped by ICA officers for a routine check on his luggage at the baggage examination area at Changi Airport, Arrival Terminal ......11 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3013There is no better way to start the New Year than this. ICA's continued vigilance at the checkpoints has resulted in the detection of an attempt to smuggle about 10,499 cartons of contraband cigarettes through Tuas checkpoint. This is the largest seizure of contraband cigarettes at the land checkpoints since the formation of ICA in 2003. 2 On 5 Jan 06 at about 1100 hours, ICA officers directed a Malaysia registered lorry for a routine check at the Cargo Bay. The lorry was said to be carrying 240 boxes of office chairs. The Malaysian driver was very reluctant to let ......06 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3014No, we are not talking about Brandon Routh's famous package in the yet-to-be-shown 'Superman Returns'. We are referring to a Singaporean man who had tried to smuggle cannabis and cigarettes by hiding them in his trousers pockets. And unlike the Man of Steel who might have his bulge reduced digitally, the smuggler's bulge was reduced considerably when his pockets were emptied. 2 On 3 Jan 06 at about 2250 hours, ICA officers stopped and conducted a check on the Singapore-registered car driven by the smuggler at Woodlands Checkpoint. The 45-year-old Malay driver was accompanied by a Singaporean Indian man in ......04 January 2006Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3027You better watch outYou better not tryYou better not flout I’m telling you whyICA is checking you now (sung to the tune of ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’)Yes, Christmas may be over and the malls stopped playing Christmas songs, but would-be smugglers have better take heed of the new ICA ditty. Two smugglers would probably remember this song for a long time, as they found out that ICA officers at the checkpoints remain vigilant during the peak festive season as well. At Woodlands checkpoint on 28 Dec 05, ICA foiled an attempt to bring in 450 cartons of duty-unpaid ......29 December 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3028All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from 23 Dec to 26 Dec 2005 and the period from 30 Dec 2005 to 2 Jan 2006. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavy during these periods. For departures, it is expected to start from both Friday evenings on 23 Dec and 30 Dec 2005. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on the Monday evenings on 26 Dec 2005 and 2 Jan 2006.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, ......21 December 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3029The Indonesian master probably thought that he was going to make his fortune when his vessel carrying contraband cigarettes arrived in Singapore. His joy was short-lived though, when ICA officers from the Anti-Smuggling Team boarded his 'fagship' at the mouth of Pandan River for a check. A total of 1914 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found hidden in the vessel. 2 On 5 Dec 2005 at about 2105 hours, ICA officers intercepted and boarded a supply vessel that had arrived from Batam, Indonesia. The master of the vessel, a 42-year-old male Indonesian was visibly nervous as our officers were checking ......06 December 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3030"What did you do during the holidays?" This seemingly innocuous question asked in school after every long holiday break is often met with tantalising tales of adrenalin-rushing activities. Not so for one 12-year-old girl. For her, it was a holiday she would want to forget as she was caught while helping her father to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore. ICA officers at Woodlands checkpoint detected 33 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden on her and her father as they arrived in Singapore on 4 Dec 05. 2 At around 1520 hours, a Singaporean man coming back to Singapore through Woodlands checkpoint ......05 December 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3031On 29 Nov 2005, acting on information received, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) smashed a cigarette smuggling syndicate and arrested five persons involved in the distribution and sale of duty-unpaid cigarettes. A total of 975 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were also recovered. 2 At about 2000 hrs, ICA officers were observing four foreigners waiting along Guillemard Road when a Singapore-registered van stopped along the road. One of the four foreigners waiting nearby flagged down a taxi. The taxi came back after 10 minutes and stopped near the van. At this point, the other three foreigners approached the ......01 December 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3032On 22nd November 2005, Mdm Tan Chai Peng, a Singaporean woman pleaded guilty to the charge of hindering Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Officers in the execution of their duties. She was fined $3,000 by the subordinate court. The charge of importing two roast geese from China was taken into consideration in sentencing. 2 Mdm Tan had returned to Singapore from China on 30th September 2005 at about 7.40 pm through the Changi International Airport Terminal 2. ICA officers noticed that she had brought two roast geese from China with her to Singapore. Mdm Tan was informed she had to ......24 November 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3033In the early hours on the morning of 22 Nov 2005, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) mounted a raid on a rundown two-storey building at Sungei Kadut, arresting 102 immigration offenders, the highest number of immigration offenders caught since the formation of ICA. The successful arrest was the result of close to one month of discreet investigations and intelligence gathering by ICA officers.2 Under the cover of the night, ICA officers crept into the vicinity of the office building and cordoned off strategic routes before moving swiftly into the building. The large community of mainly Bangladeshi occupants ......22 November 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3034The Immigration Act was amended earlier this year when Section 18(B) was enacted into the law on 15 Jan 2005. This section states that "The driver of a vehicle who wishes to drive into Singapore shall stop his vehicle at an authorized place of embarkation, an authorized point of entry or an immigration control post upon arrival in Singapore." The driver of a vehicle who contravenes this section without reasonable cause shall be guilty of an offence.2 On 17 Oct 2005, at about 0810 hrs, an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer at the Woodlands Checkpoint was manning her booth ......17 November 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3035To our officers at the Airport Command, the latest smuggling case was another kettle of fish compared to the smuggling attempts uncovered so far.2. On 16 November 2005 at around 4.30pm, a female Singaporean, accompanied by her Vietnamese male friend had arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 1 from Ho Chi Minh City. They were directed by our officers to load their bags for x-ray screening. Before their bags went through the machine, our officer asked them if they had anything to declare. Both travellers said "no". The officer who was manning the machine noticed that there were cigarette-like images in ......17 November 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3036On 11 Nov 05 past midnight at 0040 hours, ICA uncovered an attempt by a Singaporean woman to smuggle 1270 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore. The Singaporean woman, aged 24 had driven to Woodlands checkpoint in a Singapore-registered black car. The woman, who was three-months pregnant, was alone. Our officers stopped her vehicle for a routine check, and observed that she suddenly looked very nervous and avoided eye contact with them. They proceeded to do a thorough check on the car and detected a total of 1270 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the speaker box and the spare ......11 November 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3037In a pre-dawn operation conducted on 10 Nov 2005, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) arrested a total of 24 Immigration Offenders (IOs) hiding in four HDB flats in Ang Mo Kio and Hougang. Two Singaporeans, suspected to be the house owners, were also arrested.2 Enforcement officers from ICA simultaneously raided all the four HDB flats. An IO had tried to jump out of the second-story flat through the kitchen window, but gave up the idea when he realised that ICA officers had already positioned themselves on the ground floor to prevent anyone from escaping. The rest of ......10 November 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3038One would have thought that immigration offenders in Singapore would be hiding from the eyes of the authorities, and hard-pressed looking for covet employment opportunities. Not so for a group of overstayers from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), who decided to become "entrepreneurs". The six PRC nationals, together with a Singaporean accomplice were arrested by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers in a raid which found them to be in possession of a large quantity of contraband cigarettes as well as hundreds of VCDs, believed to be uncensored and obscene. 2 On 8 Nov 2005, at about 1300 ......09 November 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3039All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion for the period from 28 Oct 2005 to 6 Nov 2005. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavy during this period due to the Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa holidays. For departures, it is expected to start from Friday evening, 28 Oct 2005. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Sunday evening, 6 Nov 2005.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of ......26 October 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3040A man tried to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore by hiding them underneath the floorboard of a Malaysian-registered bus. His attempt was thwarted by ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint on 17 Oct at 0450 hours. Less than two hours later, ICA stopped another smuggling attempt at the same checkpoint. This time round, a man was caught for trying to smuggle uncensored and obscene discs by hiding them underneath the floorboard of an empty bonded truck. Their misdeeds uncovered, the CADS (Cigarettes And Discs Smugglers), their vehicles and unlawful goods were handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation. (I) ......18 October 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3041On 15 Oct 2005, at about 0605 hrs, a male Malaysian Work Permit holder riding a motorcycle was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint for attempting to smuggle duty-unpaid tobacco into Singapore.2 During a routine check conducted by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers, 20 packets of duty-unpaid tobacco were found stuffed in the right shoe of the male Work Permit holder while another 19 packets were found hidden in his left shoe. A total of 39 packets of HANS CHHAP SCENTED KHAINI duty-unpaid tobacco, each packet weighing 12 grams, were uncovered.3 The Malay male admitted ownership of the items found ......17 October 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3042You may have read in the news about the 'creative' ways in which people try to avoid paying their bus fare, but a Myanmar national's attempt to avoid paying the bus fare is probably the most astonishing one so far - he hid underneath the bus chassis. Well, the 31-year-old man had a more sinister reason for doing so (besides trying to get a free ride on the bus through Woodlands Checkpoint). He was attempting to enter Singapore illegally but was stopped by vigilant ICA officers with the help of public-spirited bus drivers. 2 On 9 Oct 2005 at about ......10 October 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3043A Malaysian man found out that smuggling ICE was a heart-stopping experience - it made him break out in cold sweat and landed him in hot soup with our vigilant ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint. 2 On 1 Oct 05 at about 2010 hours, ICA officers stopped and conducted a check on a Malaysian-registered car at Woodlands Checkpoint. The 21-year-old driver, a Malaysian Chinese appeared very nervous as our officers checked him and his vehicle assiduously. In the course of the search, our officers found two packets of instant soup tucked under the floor mat of the driver seat. Could ......03 October 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3044"My hands are injured, I am unable to unload the ice", said the lorry driver. This was the start of a smoldering tale of deception the man was trying to pull off in front of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer.2 On 29 Sep, at about 0605 hrs, a Malaysian Indian male driving a Malaysia registered lorry through the Tuas checkpoint was found to be carrying a total of 3,497 cartons x 200 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes, embedded amongst 600 bags (each bag weighing about 15 kg) of ice-cubes.3 During a routine cargo check on a consignment of 600 ......30 September 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3045It was not silicone, it was not saline. The implants came in the form of Dormicum and Domi.2. The "D-cups" were detected on 28 September 2005 at around 3.40pm, when one of our officers noticed that a female traveller was behaving nervously at the Arrival Bus Hall of Woodlands Checkpoint. The traveller was then directed to the office for further checks. After a thorough search, the following items were found on her:(i) Two packets of cigarettes were strapped around the waist;(ii) Two packets of shag tobacco were stashed in the underwear;(iii) Three slabs (consisting of ten tablets each) of Domi ......29 September 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3046JOINT NEWS RELEASEIMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY&MINISTRY OF TRADE & INDUSTRYWith effect from 1 October 2005, Singapore will implement the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) Scheme. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the issuing authority of the card, will begin to accept applications for the card through its website http://www.ica.gov.sg .About the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme2. The ABTC scheme aims to facilitate the travel of business persons between APEC economies. Cardholders enjoy the following benefits:- Streamlined processing through designated lanes at the major airports and entry points of participating economies.- Without having to make a separate visa ......23 September 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3047A Malaysian man thought that he was sitting on a goldmine by smuggling in contraband cigarettes from Malaysia. He also thought that he had a foolproof plan to bring in the illegal goods - he had hidden the cigarettes under the rear passenger seat of his son's car, and he had brought his two nieces with him to allay the suspicions of ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint. What he did not count on was the dedication ICA officers had for their work in keeping out undesirable persons and preventing the smuggling of unlawful goods through the checkpoints. His plan was ......22 September 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3048The US had recently extended its deadline for countries under its Visa Waiver Program to introduce biometric passports by one year to 26 October 2006. Singapore is one of the countries participating in the US' Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows their citizens to travel to the US without having to apply for an entry visa, as long as their trip lasts 90 days or less. 2 ICA would like to clarify that as long as Singaporeans hold a valid machine-readable passport, they will still continue to qualify for visa-waiver entry into the US for trips not exceeding 90 days. ......20 September 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3049Acting on information received, ICA officers have been gathering information and monitoring the activities of an illegal employment syndicate for a few months. Our officers found out that two syndicate members had arranged to meet another member at Yio Chu Kang to give him the money for the illegal workers' salary. ICA officers decided to take action against the syndicate when they meet on 13 Sep 05 at about 1045 hours. After they had parted ways at Yio Chu Kang, our officers moved in to arrest the three persons. Two of them, a male Indian national and a Sri Lankan ......14 September 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3050It has been observed that there is an increasing number of motorcyclists violating lane discipline, queue jumping and obstructing traffic at the Causeway. After careful study, ICA and LTA will be constructing a road divider on the Singapore side of the Causeway to segregate motorcycles and motorcars to alleviate this problem. The road divider will start about 50 meters from the shared International Boundary, and will lead all the way to Singapore's immigration checkpoint at Woodlands. Works to construct this divider will start in mid September 2005 and is expected to complete by mid October 2005.With this new improvement measure, ......14 September 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3051In the past one week, ICA has caught five smugglers trying to bring in various illegal items and contraband by hiding them in their underwear. Two persons were caught recently in separate incidents at Woodlands checkpoints with illegal items and contraband in their underwear. Case 1 - Uncensored discs in underwear 2 On 26 Aug 05 at about 2140 hours, a vigilant ICA officer noticed that a Malaysian man was walking in an awkward manner at the Arrival Bus Hall at Woodlands checkpoint. The officer could tell that the man was trying to hide his awkward gait and this aroused ......29 August 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3052For the second time in three days, ICA is bringing to you the news that another person has been caught with his pants down for trying to smuggle in illegal items by hiding them in his briefs. The 38-year-old male Malaysian probably did not expect ICA officers to be so thorough in their security checks and to detect the forged documents that were hidden in his briefs. 2 On 25 Aug 05 at about 0725 hours, the man was riding his motorcycle into Singapore through Woodlands checkpoint when he was stopped together with a few other motorcyclists for a routine ......25 August 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3053CASE 1On 22 Aug 2005, at about 1945 hrs, a male Malaysian Work Permit holder riding a motorcycle was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint for attempting to smuggle controlled drugs, uncensored VCDs, suspected obscene DVDs and duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore.2 In a routine check by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers, four packets of duty-unpaid Dunhill King Size cigarettes were found underneath the motorcycle seat. Not convinced that these were all, the vigilant ICA officers brought the Malaysian male into the office for a body search, and managed to whisk the remaining items out of their private hiding places.3 Two 10-tablet ......23 August 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3054For the second time in three days, a man has been arrested at the land checkpoint for trying to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore while using his family as decoys. The most recent case happened at Woodlands Checkpoint on 18 Aug 2005, when a 37-year-old Malaysian man was arrested for attempting to smuggle in a total of 38 cartons and 62 loose packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the door panels of his car.2 Three days later, on 21 Aug 2005, at about 1400 hrs, a Singapore-registered car was stopped by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Tuas ......22 August 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3055Hearing your father announce that he is bringing the family for a holiday will usually make you jump with joy and excitement. But how will you react if you know that the sightseeing trip is a cover for his smuggling activities and he is using the family as a decoy? A man had tried to smuggle cigarettes into Singapore by hiding them in the car door panels. He had also brought his family along in the hope that ICA officers would not check the family group which included two children. He found out too late that ICA also stands for ......19 August 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3056As our country's border-security agency, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) plays a vital role in preventing attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and contraband items. Stepped-up checks on all travellers, vehicles and conveyances passing through the checkpoints coupled with tough inland enforcement against immigration offenders have yielded results in the first half of 2005.Smuggling of Contraband and Illegal Goods 2 Between January to June 2005, ICA detected more than 7,000 cases of contraband and illegal goods being imported into Singapore, compared to the 8,000 cases over the same period last year. These include 115 attempts to ......16 August 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3057A cigarette smuggler may want to dispute the adage that there is 'no smoke without fire' after his attempt to smuggle contraband cigarettes through Woodlands checkpoint was stopped (i.e. no smoke) by vigilant ICA officers with fire in their bellies. 2 On 3 Aug 2005 at about 1735 hours, the 24-year-old Malaysian man drove into Singapore through Woodlands checkpoint in a yellow Malaysian registered car. Our ever-alert officers stopped his car for a routine check and discovered that the covers for the rear door panels of the car were loose. They proceeded to do a thorough check on the car ......04 August 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3058It was a sultry afternoon on 1 August 2005 at about 3.10pm, when two officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) flagged down a Malaysian-registered lorry for a routine check. 2. The papers produced by the driver stated that he was carrying a consignment of speaker boxes. But with the officers' experience in investigating the shady world of smuggling, they knew that things are not always what they seem. The officers checked on the goods. Although nothing incriminating was found, they did not stop there. 3. The ICA officers then proceeded to check the driver's cabin. In the course ......03 August 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3059The numerous tiny black dots on the monitor screen aroused the suspicions of the ICA officer who proceeded to do a thorough search on the content of the man's bag. The search yielded close to half a kilogram of controlled tablets.2 On 31 Jul 2005, at around 2155 hrs, a male Singaporean Malay arriving at HarbourFront Centre from Indonesia was found to be in possession of 0.456kg of Romilar tablets, a controlled substance under the Poisons Act.3 As the male subject approached the Baggage Clearance area, he deposited his bag for compulsory X-Ray screening. From the X-Ray machine's monitor screen, ......01 August 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3060With the help of the radiographic scanning system known as Integrated Cargo Inspection Solution (ICIS), ICA officers at Woodlands checkpoint stopped an attempt by a Malaysian to smuggle dried python skins into Singapore. The Malaysian man had tried to hide the boxes of python skins by placing them in the centre of the large consignment of speaker parts and covering the consignment with a piece of canvas. However, his efforts were in vain as ICIS has the ability to 'see through' the canvas cover and boxes to detect the illegal goods that were hidden inside. 2 On 27 Jul 2005, ......29 July 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3061Welcome' is certainly not something that ICA officers will say to the immigration offenders (IOs) in this country. Instead, it is a determined 'we'll come', demonstrating our resolve to go after and weed out all IOs from Singapore. On 27 Jul 2005 at 0330 hours, 25 IOs found out that hiding deep in a forested area off Bukit Batok Road would not stop ICA and Police officers from tracking them down. 2 Acting on intelligence gathered, ICA and Police officers conducted a joint operation to catch these IOs. Under the cover of the night, our officers made their way stealthily ......28 July 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3062Over the weekend, vigilant officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)'s Woodlands Task Force busted two vehicles that made use of secret compartments to smuggle contraband into Singapore.Case 12. On 22 July 2005 at about 4.40am, two Woodlands Task Force officers stopped a Malaysian-registered 'Bas Pekerja' for checks. In the course of the check, the officers noticed that the undercarriage of the van was abnormally low, which led them to suspect that there was a secret compartment. 3. When asked if he had anything to declare, the driver said that he had nothing to declare.4. Nonetheless, the officers directed ......25 July 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3063A Singaporean man found out that nothing escapes the eyes of ICA officers, not even something as small and easily hidden as tablets. On 5 July 2005 at about 0045 hours, the Singaporean man arrived on a flight from Jakarta carrying a paper bag and a pouch. He did not have any luggage with him. Our ICA officer noticed that the man was walking towards the exit of the Airport Arrival Hall in a hurried manner. The ICA officer observed that the man appeared nervous and was trying hard to control his walking to a leisurely pace. Sensing something amiss, ......06 July 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3064The drama series 'Sex And The City' (also known as SATC to its fans) may have ended its run, but the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) version of SATC (Smuggling Attempt Thwarted at Checkpoint) is still going strong. In fact, we had a two-episode special on Friday evening at the Woodlands Checkpoint.Case 12. On 24 June 2004 at about 4.05pm, ICA officers singled out a Malaysian-registered Ford Laser for a thorough check. In the course of the check, the officers observed that the interior of the car appeared to have gone through some modifications. The officers proceeded to knock on ......27 June 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3065Drug traffickers can try to hide their secret stash on various parts of their bodies. They can try but they get caught anyway.2. On 21 June 2005, at about 2.45am, our vigilant Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer flagged down a taxi for further security checks. The taxi, which was carrying a single passenger, was entering Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint. When told to alight for checks, the passenger did so reluctantly. As he got out from the taxi, our officer noticed that there was an abnormal bulge at the front of his pants.3. Realising that the game was up, ......21 June 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3066The word 'nothing' set off the alarm bells in the mind of our Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer when she heard a motorcyclist coming into Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint telling her, 'Sister, there nothing.' Our vigilant officer was not convinced.2. The incident took place on 16 June 2005, at around 3.30pm. Observing that the motorcyclist looked like he was in a state of 'high', she decided that it was Imperative that Checks be Administered. The search on his sling bag yielded one 20-stick pack of duty-unpaid cigarettes, as well as 36 other sticks of cigarettes in two separate cigarette ......17 June 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3067On 20 May 2005 at about 0030 hrs, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers from the Coastal Command Anti-Smuggling Team intercepted a pleasure craft at sea off Changi opposite Changi Sailing Club. When interviewed by our officers, the owner, a 56 year-old male Singaporean claimed that the craft had just returned from a fishing trip with only one passenger, a 42 year-old male Singaporean. ICA officers' suspicion was aroused when they discovered that only one fish was caught despite the fact that the vessel was out at sea for about 10 hours, from 1400 hrs on 19 May 2005.2 A ......20 May 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3068All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from 20 May 2005. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavy throughout the Vesak Day long weekend. For departures, it is expected to start from Friday afternoon, 20 May 2005. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Monday evening, 23 May 2005.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Travellers departing Singapore by land will be able to ......18 May 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3069This is not a review of the movie starring Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer. However, as ICA officers discovered on 12 May 05 at 1950 hours, what lies beneath the carpeted floor of a bus is something equally sinister. About 16,000 pieces of illegal discs were found hidden in a secret compartment of the Malaysian registered bus by our alert officers. 2 At the Bus Arrival Bay at Woodlands Checkpoint, a female ICA officer boarded the bus to conduct a routine check. She prodded and poked, she searched and scrutinised to make sure that no undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives ......13 May 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3070At five to six in the morning, most people would still be sleeping soundly and peacefully in their beds. But this is not so for immigration offenders (IOs) in this country. No IO can sleep peacefully when he/she knows that he/she has broken the law by coming into Singapore illegally or overstaying here. No IO can sleep peacefully when, after all his/her efforts to come to Singapore, he/she is unable to find illegal employment here. No IO can sleep peacefully when he/she knows that ICA officers who are fiercely dedicated to the cause of weeding out IOs are hot on ......11 May 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3071A Malaysian 'laboured in vain' on 1 May 05 when his attempt to smuggle illegal discs into Singapore was foiled by ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint. 2 At around 2030 hours, the 27-year-old Malaysian was driving his Malaysia-registered car through Woodlands Checkpoint when he was stopped by an ICA officer for a routine check. He appeared very nervous and was unable to open the car bonnet when instructed to do so. Sensing something amiss, our Task Force officers were deployed to conduct a thorough check on the driver and his car. In the course of the check, the officers detected ......03 May 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3072SPEECH BY ASSOC PROF HO PENG KEE SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW & HOME AFFAIRS AT THE ICA WORKPLAN SEMINAR ON THURSDAY, 28 APR 2005, 10 AM AT THE INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AUDITORIUM, 10 DOVER DRIVECommissioner of ICA Officers of ICALadies and GentlemenGood Morning.Two years ago, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) was formed against a backdrop mired by the Sep 11 terrorist attacks, the arrests of the Jemaah Islamiyah members in Singapore, and the Oct 2002 attacks in Bali. All these incidents brought home the stark reality of the terrorist threats to the region and to Singapore. ......28 April 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3073SPEECH BY MR ERIC TAN, COMMISSIONER OF IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY (ICA) AT THE ICA WORKPLAN SEMINAR ON THURSDAY, 28 APR 2005, 10 AM AT THE INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AUDITORIUM, 10 DOVER DRIVESenior Minister of State,Distinguished Guests,Fellow Colleagues,Ladies and Gentlemen,Good Morning.Let me first take this opportunity to thank Senior Minister of State Professor Ho Peng Kee for kindly consenting to be our guest of honour for this year's Work Plan Seminar. Dear colleagues, this is the first occasion that I have, to address ICA since assuming the post of Commissioner. Let me begin by saying that we are already ......28 April 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3074All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from 29 Apr 2005. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavy during the Labour Day long weekend. For departures, it is expected to start from Friday afternoon, 29 Apr 2005. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Monday evening, 2 May 2005.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Travellers departing Singapore by land will be able to ......27 April 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3075ICA officers detected 1,400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden among 15 pallets of concrete hollow blocks in a lorry at Woodlands Checkpoint last night. At about 2000 hours on 18 Apr 05, ICA officers signalled a Malaysian -registered lorry for a routine check at the Arrival Cargo Bay. Our officers went onboard the lorry to inspect the consignment of concrete blocks and noticed, through the hollow concrete blocks that something was concealed at the centre of the pallet when they used a torch to shine through it. 2 Suspecting that some contraband could be hidden among the concrete blocks, our ......19 April 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3076Officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) made a secret two-hour trip to Geylang Road just before sunrise at 7am on 14 April 2005, and accomplished what they needed to do... 2. The raid on three walk-up apartments at Geylang Road resulted in the arrest of 35 immigration offenders (24 males and 11 females). Most of the immigration offenders arrested came from the People's Republic of China (20 males and 11 females), while the rest were from Myanmar. The age of the male immigration offenders ranged from 18 to 52 years old. The female immigration offenders were aged between ......16 April 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3077What do you call a car which has many cartons of cigarettes hidden in its various compartments? Cigarettes cigArettes cigaRettes! That is what ICA officers from the Task Force Team at Woodlands discovered when they checked a vehicle coming into Singapore. On 12 Apr 2005 at about 2245 hours, ICA officers signalled a Singapore-registered car for a routine check. The Singaporean driver was visibly nervous when his car was stopped. Our eagle-eyed officers discovered that the rear passenger seat cushion was loose. They proceeded to do a thorough check on the rear passenger seat and found 13 cartons of duty-unpaid ......13 April 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3078On 8 April 2005, acting on information received, ICA and Singapore Customs officers conducted a joint operation to catch foreigners involved in the distribution of duty-unpaid cigarettes in the vicinity of Kaki Bukit Road. At about 2110 hours, the officers intercepted a taxi with two PRC nationals in it. The two men, aged 35 and 39 were found with a box in the rear passenger seats. Inside the box, the officers found many cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes. 2 A thorough check of the taxi revealed that many more cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found in the boot of the vehicle. ......12 April 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3079I) Malaysian and His Speakers Cornered A Malaysian man was arrested last night at Woodlands checkpoint when ICA officers found contraband cigarettes hidden in and under the speakers in his car. On 6 April 05 at about 1950 hours, our officers from the Task Force Team stopped a Malaysian registered car coming into Singapore through Woodlands checkpoint for a routine check. 2 During the check, our officers discovered some cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden under the speakers in the car boot. Our ICA officers interviewed the 31-year-old Malaysian driver who claimed that the cartons found were the only cartons of ......07 April 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3080The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) dealt a blow to a forgery syndicate when their runner was caught at Woodlands checkpoint on 5 Apr 05. At about 0715 hours, ICA officers conducted a routine check on a motorcyclist and his pillion rider coming into Singapore. 2 Our officers searched the Malaysian motorcyclist and his motorcycle but did not find anything. Upon searching the pillion rider, also a Malaysian, our alert officers found a forged blue National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), two Work Permit cards and two Safety Orientation Certificate (SOC) cards on him. The man had actually hidden the forged ......05 April 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3081The validity period of Singapore passports issued on and after 1 April 2005 will be reduced from 10 years to 5 years. The passport fee will also be reduced from $70 to $60. Citizens who choose to submit their passport applications via APPLES, by post or through the deposit boxes will get to enjoy a $10 rebate and pay only $50. The thickness of the passport will remain at 96 pages.2 The current Singapore passport, which is machine-readable, has advanced security features to prevent tampering and forgery. The existing security features make it difficult for syndicates to forge our passport ......24 March 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3082You would have thought that the dark and dank underground monsoon drains at Old Tampines Road were the domain of only rats and roaches. Yet thirty- seven immigration offenders (IOs) from Myanmar had made it their home. 2 On 22 Mar 05 at 0300 hours, ICA and Police officers conducted an operation at the monsoon drains at Old Tampines Road under the cover of darkness. After about 200 metres into the cavernous drains, the officers encountered a group of IOs sleeping in makeshift beds using discarded wooden doors and planks. They were caught by surprise and had no chance to ......24 March 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3083On 22 March 2005 at about 0930 hrs, based on information received, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers from the Coastal Command intercepted a tug boat at the Western Petroleum Anchorage which was heading towards the Pasir Panjang Wharves. ICA officers boarded the tug board that was towing a barge with a few containers and conducted a search. 2 ICA officers inspected the ballast tanks that were lined along the left and right sides of the barge and observed that one of the ballast tanks on the right side of the barge was tampered with. Two of the thirty nuts ......23 March 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3084All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from the eve of Good Friday. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavy during this period. For departures, it is expected to start from Thursday evening, 24 Mar 2005. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Sunday evening, 27 Mar 2005, when the long weekend ends.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Travellers departing Singapore by land ......22 March 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3085The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has appointed NEC Solutions Asia Pacific Pte Ltd for the Singapore biometric passport project at the cost of S$9.7 million on 21 March 2005. Other consortium members are: NCS Pte Ltd, SNP Security Printing Pte Ltd and Gemplus Technologies Asia Pte Ltd.2. The biometric passport will comply with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). As announced by the Minister for Home Affairs on 3 March 2005, the biometric passport will incorporate facial and fingerprint information as the biometric identifiers and it will be valid for 5 years. It will make ......21 March 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3086Equipment Will Help Thwart Attempts to Smuggle Components for Nuclear Weapons and 'Dirty Bombs' through SeaportsSingapore -- The United States and Singapore Governments on March 10 signed a Declaration of Principles to deploy state-of-the-art equipment at the Port of Singapore to detect hidden shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material. This agreement will further strengthen their work together in the war on terrorism. United States Ambassador to Singapore Franklin L. Lavin signed the cooperative agreement on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), together with Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Commissioner Lock Wai Han. ......10 March 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3087The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) would like to announce that the stepped-up checks at the checkpoints and our tough enforcement action had resulted in the arrests of 11,790 immigration offenders (IOs) in 2004. ICA will continue to intensify our efforts against the immigration offender situation here. On 16 Feb 2005 between 0200 hours and 0400 hours, ICA officers mounted an operation against immigration offenders staying at lodging houses at Rambutan Road and in Joo Chiat. A total of 33 IOs were arrested at these two premises. 2 Our officers found the living conditions of the two premises to be ......17 February 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3088All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from 4 Feb 2005 to 13 Feb 2005. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavy during this period because of the Chinese New Year holidays. For departures, it is expected to start from Friday evening, 4 Feb 2005 to Tuesday evening, 8 Feb 2005. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Friday evening, 11 Feb 2005 to Sunday evening, 13 Feb 2005.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are ......03 February 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3089All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from the eve of Hari Raya Haji. The traffic volume at the checkpoints' arrival and departure zones is expected to be heavy during this period. It is expected to start from Thursday evening, 20 Jan 2005 when travellers depart for a short trip in Malaysia and Malaysian visitors arrive by cars after 5pm when the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) is waived. This is expected to continue over the weekend when travellers return back to Singapore or Malaysia ......18 January 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=3090This is not a clarion call to all able-bodied men to take up arms to defend the country. There is a place and time for that. The purpose of this news release is to warn everyone to pay their (custom) duties on dutiable goods and not try to smuggle them into Singapore through ICA's checkpoints. Two cigarette smugglers found out how vigilant our officers are when they were caught in separate incidents trying to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes through Woodlands Checkpoint. 2 On 12 Jan 05 at 0545 hours, a Malaysian car coming into Singapore was stopped at Woodlands Checkpoint for ......13 January 2005Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7263For factsheet on Tsunami Disaster, please see the following link.http://app.sprinter.gov.sg/data/pr/2004123005.htm30 December 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7264All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion for the period from 23 Dec to 26 Dec 2004, and the period from 30 Dec 2004 to 2 Jan 2005. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavy during these periods. For departures, it is expected to start from both Thursday evenings on 23 Dec 2004 and 30 Dec 2004. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on the Sunday evenings on 26 Dec 2004 and 2 Jan 2005.2 To avoid the congestion ......21 December 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7265With effect from 1 December 2004, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) will take over the processing of all applications for the Dependant's Pass for a Child Proposed for Adoption from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). With this transfer of function, prospective adopters would now only have to liaise with MCYS and the Family Court on adoption matters. This is part of the Government's ongoing efforts to streamline the adoption process for greater convenience to prospective adopters. 2 With the streamlining of adoption process, prospective adoptive parents wishing to apply for the Dependant's Pass for a ......29 November 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7266Singapore Changi Airport has started to test a biometrics-based system called Fully Automated Seamless Travel (FAST) that speeds frequent flyers through check-in and immigration formalities. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) are jointly conducting a six-month trial of the world's first automated system that combines the check-in and immigration processes for departing travellers into one.2. Currently, travellers departing Changi Airport go through departure formalities at three different locations before getting into the transit area:A. Airline check-in counter (to obtain boarding pass and seat allocation)B. Police check before entering the ......25 November 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7267All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from the eve of Deepavali. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavy during this period. For departures, it is expected to start from Wednesday evening, 10 Nov 2004. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on both Sunday (14 Nov 2004) and Monday (15 Nov 2004) evenings.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Travellers departing Singapore by land ......09 November 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7268The reticulated python and monitor lizard are threatened species (ie. Appendix II) protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Singapore is a Party. Under the Singapore's Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act (ESA), the export and import of python and monitor lizard skins must be accompanied by CITES permits from the exporting and importing countries.2 On 31 October 2004, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) received information from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) that 31 bales of illegal reticulated python (Python reticulatus) and monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) skins ......02 November 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7269The term 'secret compartment' is fast turning out to be a misnomer, as far as ICA officers are concerned. You see, we have the radiographic scanners and fiberscope to detect such compartments in trucks and cars passing through our Land Checkpoints. We also have competent and experienced officers on the ground to look out for, and prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband by hiding them in secret compartments. A Malaysian truck driver's attempt to smuggle 2,299 cartons of cigarettes into Singapore was foiled when keen observation by our ICA officers led to the ......26 October 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7270Visiting the US?The following groups of Singaporeans are advised to apply for a new passport if they intend to travel to the US without having to apply for a visa on and after 26 October 2004:* Singaporeans holding non-machine readable passports; and * Singaporeans with their children's particulars included in their passports. (Please refer to Annex A for samples of a non-machine readable passport and a machine-readable Singapore passport).2. Singapore is one of the countries participating in the US' Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows their citizens to travel to the US without having to apply for an entry visa, ......20 October 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7271Over the past week, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) performed two episodes of 'SATC'. No, not 'Sex And The City', but 'Smuggling Attempt Thwarted at Checkpoint'.Case on 15 September 20042. Acting on information received, a Malaysia-registered lorry carrying a consignment of speaker systems was stopped at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 15 September 2004 at about 9.30am for 100 per cent checks. Upon examination, a total of 21,380 suspected obscene and uncensored discs were found hidden among the goods in the front left corner of the goods compartment. The estimated value of the discs was $32,310.50. The case was referred ......22 September 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7272"Hare and hounds" is a game where two players, called "hares", having a few minutes' start, scatter bits of paper to indicate their course. The "hares" are chased by the others, called the "hounds", through a wide circuit. Several document forgers tried to play this game with us, without realising that we, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), play to win.Operation on 10 September 20042. On 10 September 2004, ICA officers launched an operation and arrested three male Sri Lanka nationals that attempted to obtain legitimate Student's Passes through the use of forged educational certificates.3. At about 1pm, the key ......15 September 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7273On 9 Sep 2004, ICA officers mounted an operation against an illegal employment syndicate and arrested two Indian nationals for supplying illegal workers to work at food establishments in Singapore. Following their arrests, checks were conducted simultaneously at food outlets at Thomson Road, Telok Blangah Road, Scotts Road, Merchant Road and Orchard Road. Fourteen illegal workers were successfully arrested by ICA officers at these premises. All of them were immigration offenders (including both illegal immigrants and overstayers).2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the two male Indian nationals supplying the illegal workers, aged 32 and 37 years old, were illegal immigrants themselves. ......10 September 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7274We are not referring to the famous lasagne-loving cat who has arrived in Singapore amidst much fanfare, but a Person Undertaking Secret Slip-away (or PUSS for short) hiding in the boot of a Singapore-registered car. On 3 Sep at 0005 hours, a female illegal immigrant was caught by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers when she tried to depart the country illegally through Woodlands checkpoint. The driver of the car was also arrested. 2 Our ICA officers had stopped the car at the Departure Car Bay at Woodlands Checkpoint for a routine check when they noticed that the driver appeared ......03 September 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7275Due to a scheduled maintenance, the ICA Internet website will be intermittently unavailable from 0430 hrs to 0630 hrs on 29 Aug 2004 (Sunday). During the affected period, the browser may display "Page not found error".We regret for any inconvenience caused.27 August 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7276Uncensored/Obscene Discs Smuggler On 25 Aug 04 at 0940 hours, experienced ICA officers noticed that the 41- year old driver of a Malaysian-registered van appeared nervous at the Woodlands Checkpoint Arrival Bus Bay. The officers' suspicions were aroused and a thorough check was conducted on the van. Their efforts paid off when they discovered a secret compartment under the passenger seats at the back of the van. 2 The secret compartment was opened and 9,275 pieces of uncensored discs (of which 3,455 are obscene) were found in the compartment. The driver, a work permit holder in Singapore was immediately placed ......26 August 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=727717 Aug 2004 at 0255 hours. Most Singaporeans would have called it a day and be found sleeping peacefully in their beds. Not so for the immigration offenders (IOs) in this country. No IO can sleep peacefully when they know that ICA officers who are fiercely dedicated to the cause of weeding out IOs are hot on their heels. A total of 58 IOs were caught by ICA officers during an operation along Admiralty Road West. 2 The IOs were arrested at a work yard where many containers were stacked up. The IOs were staying in some of these containers. ......17 August 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7278More than 200,000 people travellers use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints everyday, and more are expected to do so during the long weekend starting from 6 Aug 2004 to 9 Aug 2004. While additional manpower will be deployed at the land checkpoints during this period, some traffic build-up is inevitable when a large number of motorists and travellers want to pass through the checkpoints at the same time. Travellers are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion. For departures, it is expected to start from Friday evening, 6 Aug 2004. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic ......04 August 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7279Visiting Singapore would be made more convenient with the introduction of the new Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) card on 1 August 2004. 2. A foreign visitor* arriving in Singapore is required to fill in a form known as the D/E card and present the completed card together with his travel document to the ICA officer at the checkpoints. With the new D/E card, visitors no longer need to fill in nine data fields, which will bring about greater convenience to visitors. Details on the modifications are at Annex.3. Some good things remain unchanged. The new D/E card will still be issued free-of-charge ......30 July 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7280The smugglers who thought that by taking the green lane for cars at the Woodlands Checkpoint would mean that Inspections and Checks can be Avoided must have found themselves in a rude shock when they were instead Intercepted, Checked and Arrested.2. On 14 July 2004 at 0825 hours, our vigilant immigration officers singled out a Malaysian-registered car at the Arrival Car Green Channel for a 100% inspection. During the course of the check, the officers discovered that stashed away in a secret compartment were 1,042 pieces of suspected obscene, uncensored VCDs/DVDs/CDs. The driver and his passenger were immediately placed under ......14 July 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7281The 'ferry tale' has ended for Syaifur Rohman, an Indonesian man on 24 Jun 04 when he was charged in court for conveying illegal immigrants. The 28-year-old man, captain of a ferryboat that plied the Singapore-Batam route was caught by ICA officers for attempting to smuggle an illegal immigrant into Singapore. 2 On 15 Jun 04 at about 1910 hours, following a period of surveillance, ICA officers conducted a search onboard the ferryboat captained by Rohman after the ferry passengers had disembarked at Singapore Cruise Centre, Harbour Front. A thorough search of the vessel revealed a male Indonesian man hiding ......26 June 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7282If the Malaysian smuggler had thought that he could give ICA officers the slip by hiding the illegal discs and cigarettes in a truckload of bananas, he was wrong. On 22 Jun 2004 at around 0205 hrs, ICA officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint detected 1,350 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and 19,185 uncensored/obscene discs in a Malaysian-registered truck with the help of the MOBIX (mobile x-ray machine) during a routine check. 2 During the x-ray scanning, our ICA officers noticed suspicious objects among the bananas in the images taken of the truck, even though the truck was supposed to be carrying ......22 June 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7283If the seers in Troy could see into the future and witness the MOBIX's (mobile x-ray machines) role in foiling yet another attempt to smuggle illegal discs into Singapore, they would have wished that the Trojans had procured the MOBIX too. And there would then be no way the Grecian soldiers could sneak into Troy by hiding in the Trojan Horse without detection.2 On 19 Jun 04 at 1550 hours, experienced ICA officers noticed that the driver of a Malaysian-registered van appeared nervous at the Woodlands Checkpoint Arrival Bus Bay. The van was escorted to the MOBIX screening area and ......21 June 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7284In case you are under the impression that the P.U.S.S in boot refers to the ogre-slaying cat, and that the feline resident from fairytale land has lost one of his boots at Woodlands Checkpoint, we are referring to the People Undertaking Secret Slip-away (P.U.S.S) who had attempted to depart illegally from Singapore by hiding in a car boot this morning. On 16 Jun 04 at 0015 hours, four immigration offenders (IOs) and their Malaysian driver found that our Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Woodlands Checkpoint maintained their vigilance 24/7. The four IOs were hiding in the car boot ......16 June 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7285Here is the secret to the sterling performance of ICA officers in the Woodlands Task Force Team in detecting smuggling cases: they get 'high' whenever they foil attempts by smugglers to bring illegal persons and goods across the checkpoint. Since its formation on 1 Nov 2003, the Task Force officers have detected 14 major cases resulting in the seizure of 24,663 pieces of uncensored, obscene VCDs, DVDs and CDs, 14 cars and 27 cartons of assorted brands of duty unpaid cigarettes. And success begets success. Just one day after receiving the Minister's Award for Operational Excellence, the Task Force officers ......09 June 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7286Singapore has since March 2003 maintained its temperature screening for all arriving passengers at all the border checkpoints. Given that the last SARS case in the world was isolated on 22 April 2004 and with the onset of a warmer climate in the Northern Hemisphere in the coming months, there is currently minimal SARS-related public health threat to Singapore. It is therefore timely to remove the temperature screening measures at the border checkpoints. The cessation of temperature screening measures will take effect from 9 June 2004 at 9am.2. The 993 ambulance services will also be discontinued on the same day.3. ......08 June 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7287Barely two weeks after nabbing immigration offenders who had attempted to enter Singapore illegally at Woodlands checkpoint, ICA officers arrested another 22 year-old male Malaysian for trying to smuggle four immigration offenders hiding in the boot of his car out of Singapore. 2 The driver was stopped for a thorough check at Woodlands Checkpoint near midnight on 3 Jun 2004. An alert ICA officer observed that the car's rear suspension was much lower than usual despite not having any passenger in the car. Upon opening the boot, our officers detected three females and one male hiding inside. 3 Preliminary investigations ......04 June 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7288From 1 June 2004, visitors who have been granted short term Social Visit Passes at the Singapore checkpoints can pursue a short course during their stay in Singapore without having to apply for a separate Student's Pass.2 The exemption will apply to short courses that the visitor is able to complete within the validity period of the initial Social Visit Pass granted to him at the Singapore checkpoint or 30 days, whichever is shorter. It must also satisfy two other criteria, that is, the course:(i) Must be a complete and stand-alone module on its own. Courses with multiple programme modules ......31 May 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7289From 1 Jun 2004, visa requirements will be extended to visitors holding passports from Morocco. Visitors can apply for a visa from any of the Singapore Missions overseas. They will need to have a local contact for their visa applications. The application procedures and requirements can be found at the Internet website of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, http://www.ica.gov.sg under the "Visitor Services" section.END OF NEWS RELEASEImmigration & Checkpoints Authority 28 May 200428 May 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7290Nothing escapes the watchful eyes of ICA officers these days. Not even a well-hidden compartment strategically located at the lower carriage of a car.2 On 11 May 2004 at about 2140 hrs, a car driven by a 22-year-old Malaysian driver was stopped for a thorough check at Woodlands Checkpoint. Opening the boot, the officer sensed that it was slightly raised. After a closer inspection, officers detected a secret compartment after the back seat was lifted. By removing an attached metal plank beneath the seat covering, ICA officers discovered two illegal immigrants hidden within the modified lower carriage of the vehicle.3 ......19 May 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7291Parliament had earlier passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill on 19 April 2004. The Articles in the Constitution on the grant of citizenship have remained unchanged since the 1960s. However, the world today is very different compared to then. Growing numbers of Singaporean men and women are travelling overseas to work, study or pursue their personal goals, and starting their families abroad. The following changes to the citizenship laws will take effect from 15 May 2004.Grant of citizenship by descent2. Currently, only male Singaporeans can pass on citizenship by descent to their children born overseas. Children born overseas to female Singaporeans ......15 May 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7292The law caught up with a 50-year old Singaporean and his 19-year old son when their forgery partner-'ship' was sunk by the Interdictors of Counterfeiting Activities armada on 10 May 04. At about 2230 hours, the operations of the counterfeiters of work passes and Safety Orientation Certificate (SOC) cards were busted when Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers went to their flat at Ang Mo Kio Ave 10. 2 At the flat, ICA officers observed the father-and-son team sitting in front of a notebook and using it to make forgeries of the work passes and SOC cards before identifying themselves ......11 May 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7293On 4 May, a 20 year-old male Singaporean came to ICA Building to apply for a replacement Identity Card (NRIC). He claimed that he has lost his NRIC and submitted a Statutory Declaration stating that he had dropped his NRIC as part of the replacement procedure. 2 After declaring the particulars of who he claimed he was, our officer entered the NRIC number to retrieve the personal particulars before proceeding with the actual registration. While capturing the live thumbprint of the young man, it was discovered that his thumbprint did not match the one that is stored in our database. ......07 May 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7294On 25 Apr 04, a total of 33 immigration offenders were caught by ICA officers during an operations conducted in the north and eastern part of Singapore. The checks were conducted in areas such as Marsiling, Kallang, Aljunied, Paya Lebar, Eunos, Farrer Park and Serangoon Road. 2 The bulk of the immigration offenders (IOs) arrested were male nationals (30 of them) from the People's Republic of China (PRC), India and Bangladesh and Nepal. The age of the male IOs ranges from 20 to 54 years old. The remaining three were female IOs from PRC and were aged between 31 and ......26 April 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7295A Myanmar national will remember for a long, long time that ICA stands for 'I Check All' and not 'Imitation Cards Accepted'. His 1-man forgery set-up was stopped in its tracks when ICA officers arrested him on 21 Apr for forging Student's and Dependent Passes. ICA officers had earlier (at about 1500 hours) in the day apprehended a female Myanmar national for being in possession of two forged Dependent Passes (DPs) and one laminated black and white photocopy of a DP. The arrest of the 40-year old female Myanmar national (who was also an overstayer) quickly led to the apprehension ......22 April 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7296Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) foiled a second attempt in as many days to smuggle both cigarettes and uncensored discs into Singapore. This is to date the largest haul of cigarettes and uncensored discs seized by ICA officers this year. On 6 Apr 04 at about 1840 hours, ICA officers directed a Malaysia registered lorry for a routine check at the Cargo Bay. The lorry was said to be carrying baskets of assorted vegetables. 2 The Malaysian Indian driver was very reluctant to let our officers perform the check on his cargo and tried to prevent the checks by giving ......07 April 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7297The Malaysian man probably thought that he had 'diversified' his smuggling business by smuggling both cigarettes and uncensored discs at the same time, but little did he expect his plans to go awry when he was caught by our ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint. The 36-year old driver was immediately arrested and his van and goods seized. On 6 Apr 04 at about 0730 hours, ICA officers signalled a Malaysia registered van to stop for a routine check at the Arrival Bus Bay. 2 During the search, our experienced eagle-eyed officers uncovered the secret compartment hidden underneath the floorboard of ......06 April 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7298The Malaysian man probably thought that he had 'diversified' his smuggling business by smuggling both cigarettes and uncensored discs at the same time, but little did he expect his plans to go awry when he was caught by our ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint. The 36-year old driver was immediately arrested and his van and goods seized. On 6 Apr 04 at about 0730 hours, ICA officers signalled a Malaysia registered van to stop for a routine check at the Arrival Bus Bay. 2 During the search, our experienced eagle-eyed officers uncovered the secret compartment hidden underneath the floorboard of ......06 April 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7299All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from the eve of Good Friday. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be high during this period. For departures, it is expected to start from Thursday evening, 8 Apr 2004. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Sunday evening, 11 Apr 2004, when the long weekend ends.2 Travellers departing Singapore by land will be able to know in advance the traffic situation at Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints from the LTA's Expressway Monitoring ......06 April 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7300Right after midnight on 3 April 2004, ICA officers mounted a massive operation against immigration offenders in the vicinity of Admiralty Road hiding in makeshift dwellings. They successfully arrested a total of 82 immigration offenders during the operation, the biggest number caught since the formation of ICA. 2 The 82 male immigration offenders nabbed were from Indian, Myanmar Bangladesh and Thailand and aged between 16 and 51. The majority were suspected to have entered Singapore illegally. They were woken up from their slumber in the crowded makeshift dwellings and were swiftly rounded up by our officers.3 ICA takes a serious ......03 April 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7301A cigarette smuggler found out that the joke was on him when he was caught trying to smuggle 260 cartons x 200 sticks of cigarettes in by the strapping young veteran that stands guard at our border 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That young veteran is ICA and he turned one on 1 Apr 04. He has a large arsenal of weapons at his disposal including the MOBIX and fiberscope, to help him prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. 2 On 1 Apr 04 at about 0610 hours, a Malaysian ......02 April 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7302Today marks Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)'s 1st anniversary since its formation. As part of the celebration, the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Wong Kan Seng, officiated the opening of ICA Gallery - Insight ICA, and the launch of ICA's Heritage Book, entitled 'Guardians of Our Homeland'. 2 By providing a glimpse into ICA's rich heritage, both the gallery and heritage book aim to preserve the histories of the departments that had preceded ICA. They are also our contribution to National Education by showcasing the wonderful visual and written accounts of ICA's roots since the early years of our nation ......01 April 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7303On 29 Mar 04 at 2020 hours, a Malaysian man learnt, at a high cost to himself the important role played by the MOBIX in preventing the smuggling of illegal immigrants, VCDs/DVDs and other contrabands into Singapore. The suspicious images taken of the van he was driving led to the detection of 7,942 pieces of uncensored/obscene CDs, VCDs and DVDs he was trying to smuggle into Singapore. 2 The 29- year old had driven a Malaysian registered van into Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint when he was signalled by ICA officers to stop for a routine check. He appeared nervous ......30 March 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7304The Controller of Immigration has carefully considered Mr Goh Yew Hock's representation and decided that it did not adequately show why Mr Goh's Entry/Re-Entry Permits should not be cancelled. The Controller of Immigration has thus cancelled Mr Goh's Entry/Re-Entry Permits and revoked his PR status. 2 Mr Goh has been informed of the decision on 20 March 2004. 3 Under Section 14(6) of the Immigration Act, Mr Goh may appeal to the Minister for Home Affairs through the Controller of Immigration. He has 7 days from 20 March 2004 to do so. 4 It would not be appropriate to comment ......20 March 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7305With the help of the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS), ICA officers foiled an attempt to smuggle 'Red Sanders' into Singapore. Pterocarpus Santalinus, commonly known as 'Red Sanders' is listed as a controlled item under the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species in Wild fauna and Flora (CITES). 2 On 17 Mar 2004 at about 1400 hours, a 40-foot container declared to contain ordinary wood logs was diverted to the ICA Tanjong Pagar Scanning Station for radiographic scanning by the VACIS. Upon analysis of the image taken of the container, ICA officers discovered that there was more than ......18 March 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7306On 16 Mar 2004 at about 0115 hours, six immigration offenders (IOs) and their Malaysian driver found out that our Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Woodlands Checkpoint are as vigilant in foiling attempts by foreigners to depart illegally as they are in preventing foreigners from entering Singapore illegally. Four of them were hiding in the car boot of the Malaysia-registered car and two other were lying on the floorboard between the front and back passenger seats. They must have thought that our officers are blind to their attempt to depart illegally. 2 Our ICA officers stopped the car ......16 March 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7307ICA confirms that it had served the notice of proposed cancellation of the Entry Permit and Re-Entry Permits to Mr Goh Yew Hock on 5 March 2004. Mr Goh will no longer be a Permanent Resident of Singapore once his Entry Permit and Re-Entry Permits are cancelled. Mr Goh was informed that he may, within the next seven days, make written representation to the Controller of Immigration against such action. Mr Goh acknowledged receipt of the proposed cancellation notices.2 ICA acted after the Minister for Home Affairs decided that Mr Goh was an undesirable immigrant pursuant to Section 8(3)(k) of ......08 March 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7308Two Malaysians learnt that they were required to pay Customs duty and/or Goods & Services Tax (GST) for goods imported for trade, commercial or business purposes and to produce the necessary documents at the checkpoint. On 26 Feb 2004 at about 1050 hours, the two men had tried to bring in diamond rings and jewellery without the proper documents through the Arrival Car Green Channel at Woodlands Checkpoint, which was meant for those with no taxable or dutiable goods to declare. However, they were stopped by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers who were conducting routine checks on their Malaysia ......27 February 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7309Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is pleased to announce that the immigration offender situation has improved in 2003 when compared to 2002. The number of immigration offenders arrested last year fell by about 13 per cent to 11,850. However, there would be no let-up in the fight against the illegal immigration problem here. On 22 Feb 2004, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers mounted an island-wide operation against immigration offenders. They arrested 57 immigration offenders at eight premises that ran the gamut from lodging houses to HDB flats to landed properties. 2 The 57 immigration offenders (6 females and 51 ......23 February 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7310Within a period spanning 45 minutes, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Ports Command uncovered a total of 46 boxes of calcareous rocks that were undeclared. The calcareous rocks originate from hard corals and all hard corals are listed as controlled items under the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species in Wild fauna and Flora (CITES). 2 On 18 Feb 2004 at 1215 hours, ICA officers were conducting checks on vehicles conveying cargoes through Pasir Panjang Gate 3 when they uncovered 12 boxes of calcareous rocks that originated from hard corals amongst other marine products in a lorry. ......19 February 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7311It was past midnight at 12.30am on 18 Feb 2004. While most Singaporeans were sleeping soundly and safely in bed at midnight, our Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the checkpoints remained vigilant, ready to thwart all attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, cargoes and contraband. A 29-year old Malaysian Indian driver and his 25-year old co-driver obviously did not know this, or else they would not have tried to smuggle in 9,600 pieces of uncensored and obscene DVDs through Tuas Checkpoint. 2 At the Cargo Arrival Complex at Tuas Checkpoint, the two Malaysian drivers of a bonded truck ......18 February 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7312On 13 Feb 2004 at about 0005 hours, five immigration offenders and their Malaysian driver found out that our Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Woodlands Checkpoint are as vigilant in foiling attempts by foreigners to depart illegally as they are in preventing foreigners from entering Singapore illegally. The five persons were sweating buckets of perspiration when they were ordered to come out of their hiding place in the car. Four of them were hiding in the car boot of the Malaysia-registered car and another one lying on the floorboard between the front and back passenger seats. 2 Our ......13 February 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7313On 14 Jan 2004 at about 0100 hours, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conducted a check on a fishing vessel berthed at Jurong Fishery Port. The fish boxes were unloaded at the wharf for inspection and in the course of the search, cartons of cigarettes were found in 4 of the fish boxes together with ice, fishes and rocks. A total of 100 cartons x 200 sticks of duty unpaid cigarettes were found. A 44-year old Singaporean man who had claimed the consignment of styrofoam fish boxes admitted to the ownership of the cigarettes found. 2 The estimated market ......14 January 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7314Case 1On 12 Jan 2004 beginning at 2230 hours, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers mounted a series of operation against immigration offenders at different lodging houses and private apartments located at Sing Ave, Sandy Lane, Tanjong Katong Road and Geylang. The series of raids which ended at 0530 hours the following day resulted in the arrest of a total of 49 immigration offenders. 2 Of the 49 immigration offenders arrested, 42 of them are PRC nationals (26 males and 16 females), 4 are male Bangladesh nationals and 3 are male Indian nationals. The immigration offenders arrested are aged between ......13 January 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=7315SINGAPORE, January 2, 2004 - With effect from 1 Jan 2004, the visa application process for independent travellers from the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) who wish to visit Singapore, has been made easier. This follows a six-month trial programme launched in July 2003, whereby visa applications for independent travellers could be submitted through three appointed China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) authorised travel agents. With positive feedback from independent PRC travellers towards the trial programme, the number of CNTA authorised travel agents has been increased from the initial three during the trial, to 43 with effect from 1 Jan 2004. ......02 January 2004Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5855In view of the current global situation, enforcement agencies at all entry and exit points have been stepping up security inspections of all persons, goods and vehicles entering or leaving Singapore. As our country's first line of defence against terrorist threats, the checkpoints have a vital role to play in ensuring the security and safety of Singapore. Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has tightened our security checks on passengers and vehicles at the land checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. Stepped up checks at land checkpoints2 Enhanced enforcement actions and security ......30 December 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5856On 3 Dec 2003, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conducted an operation against persons involved in the production and sale of forged work permits, safety orientation certificate (SOC) cards and National Registration Identity Cards (NRICs). In an ambush at a carpark in Woodlands, a 73-year old Singaporean man and two PRC nationals, aged 26 and 23 were arrested while they were in the middle of their transaction. 2 The Singaporean man claimed that he had been staying in Johor Bahru for the past 14 years and was approached recently by a male Malaysian Chinese to deliver 6 envelopes containing ......04 December 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5857This is no tale of courage and adventure of an English naval officer who outwitted and outfought his foes, but the sorry tale of a Singaporean male forger and his runner whose partner-'ship' was sunk by the heavy cannons of Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). On 2 Dec 2003 at about 0915 hours, ICA officers conducted a check on a male Myanmar national at a bus stop along Ang Mo Kio Ave 10. A body search was conducted on the 27-year old male and three forged documents - two Student's Passes and one Employment Pass were found in his waistpouch. ......03 December 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5858Evidence of the close relationship the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has forged with the Police manifested itself during a joint operation conducted in Geylang. On 19 Nov 2003 at about 1555 hours, officers from ICA and Police conducted an operation to trail a male Indonesian believed to be providing forged immigration stamps to immigration offenders. 2 The male Indonesian was brought to a house in Geylang where he had just visited before his arrest. A thorough search of the premises by our ICA officers uncovered the following items wrapped in a shoe bag located at the corner of a ......20 November 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5859On 19 Nov 2003 at about 0345 hours, three male Thai nationals were arrested by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Tuas Checkpoint for attempting to smuggle boxes of duty-unpaid tobacco products (Ang Hoon). ICA officers stopped a Thailand-registered lorry driven by a 47- year-old Thai national for routine checks at the Arrival Cargo Complex of Tuas Checkpoint. Based on the Cargo Clearance Permit produced by the driver, the lorry was said to contain fresh vegetables. In the course of the search, the driver and two other passengers, both in their 20s, appeared nervous. Upon further checks, ICA ......19 November 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5860On 10 Nov 2003 at 1405 hours, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority Officer stopped a Singapore registered Mitsubishi covered lorry at the secondary cargo checking bay of Changi Airfreight Centre (CAC) checkpoint for a routine check. 2 Upon further inspection, 26,992 pieces of assorted VCDs, CD-ROMs and DVDs believed to be uncensored, 396 pieces of VCDs suspected to be obscene together with 160 pieces of games cartridges were found in 19 brown paper cartons in the lorry. The malay driver, a male Singaporean, aged 40 years old was arrested for attempting to smuggle the assorted VCDs, CD-ROMs and DVDs into Singapore. ......11 November 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5861From 10 Nov 2003, citizens of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam holding ordinary passports will not need a visa to visit Singapore if they stay in Singapore for not more than 30 days. Those who wish to work or study in Singapore are still required to apply for the appropriate work passes or student's pass. 2 These changes to our visa procedures are part of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) on-going review to further streamline and facilitate the entry of bona fide visitors.END OF NEWS RELEASEImmigration & Checkpoints Authority 6 Nov 200306 November 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5862The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will be introducing the following measures to facilitate the entry and stay of bona fide visitors:2 From 1 Nov 2003, citizens of the People's Republic of China and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) holding Diplomatic, Official, Service or Public Affairs passports will be exempted from visa requirements if they stay in Singapore for a period not exceeding 30 days. 3 From Dec 2003, it will be easier for business travellers to apply for long-term Multiple Journey Visas (MJVs). So long as the applicant is able to furnish a Letter of Introduction from a ......30 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5863Case 1Following two failed attempts to smuggle about 13,000 uncensored and obscene discs on two occasions two weeks' ago at Tuas Checkpoint, a VCD smuggler thought he could try his luck by attempting to smuggle discs through Woodlands Checkpoint in the wee hours this morning. Apparently, Lady Luck was not on his side as he failed to escape from the watchful eyes of our Vigilant Checkpoint Dynamos. 2 On 30 Oct 2003 at about 0145 hrs, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers from Woodlands Checkpoint stopped a Malaysian-registered car during a routine check. In the course of the search, the ......30 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5864The Parcel Post Section (PPS) of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) seems like the unlikeliest place to stage Singapore's version of the movie 'Sex, Lies and Videotapes', but it happened on 8 Aug 2003. One copy of pornographic publication (the 'sex'), one piece of gun replica (the 'lies') and 20 pieces of VCDs/DVDs (and the 'videotapes') were found in a parcel by ICA officers at the PPS, while performing routine x-ray screening on in-coming parcels. The parcel, which had arrived by air from Thailand was falsely declared as 'Trading and Food samples'. The case was subsequently handed over to ......29 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5865On 22 Oct 2003 at about 1735 hours, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conducted a check on a fishing vessel berthed at Jurong Fishery Port. In the course of their search, our ICA officers ferreted out four Thai female hidden in two separate cabins. Two of them were found to be overstayers while the other two did not have any valid travel documents. The ICA officers left no stones unturned as they searched the entire vessel thoroughly. Three cartons x 200 sticks of cigarettes were found hidden in the starboard side below the steering wheel and another 3 cartons ......25 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5866On 23 Oct 2003 at about 0420 hours, a Malaysian was caught by Immigration & Checkpoints (ICA) officers for attempting to smuggle cartons of cigarettes in big fish boxes at the Tuas Checkpoint. ICA officers stopped a Malaysia registered lorry driven by a 28 year-old Malaysian Malay man for a routine check at the Arrival Cargo Complex of Tuas Checkpoint. Based on the Cargo Clearance Permit produced by the driver, the lorry was said to contain fresh snakehead fish fillet. During the initial check, our alert ICA officer smelt a rat (or a fish in this case) when the driver ......25 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5867All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from the eve of Deepavali. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavy during this period. For departures, it is expected to start from Thursday evening, 23 Oct 2003. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Sunday evening, 26 Oct 2003, when the weekend ends.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Travellers departing Singapore by land will be ......21 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5868Following the successful haul of 7,000 pieces of uncensored and obscene discs on 8 Oct 2003, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Tuas Checkpoint scored another hit against VCD smuggling when they intercepted yet another vehicle trying to smuggle more uncensored and obscene discs into Singapore. Perhaps would-be offenders would now associate the acronym "VCD" with Vigilant Checkpoint Dynamos, a tribute to our experienced and well-trained officers at the checkpoints. 2 On 13 Oct 2003 at about 2035 hours, ICA officers signalled a Malaysia registered car to stop for checks during an operation. The driver and his passenger were ......14 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5869On 11 Oct 2003 at about 1810hrs, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers stopped and conducted a check on a 23-year-old Malaysian male Chinese at the Woodlands Checkpoint motorcycle lane. The male suspect was found looking very nervous and this aroused the suspicion of the ICA officers, who brought him to the Duty Office for a more thorough check.2 ICA officers discovered a total of 550 Ecstasy tablets, 33.97gms of Ice and 800 Erimin-5 tablets in his cargo pants pocket and jacket pocket. ICA officers immediately placed the rider under arrest and referred the case to CNB. The motorcycle was ......13 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5870A 22 year-old Malaysian man attempting to smuggle VCDs into Singapore did not expect his plans to be thwarted by another kind of VCD - Vigilant Checkpoint Dynamos which is an apt description of our Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Tuas Checkpoint. On 8 Oct 2003 at about 2015 hours, ICA officers signalled a Malaysia registered Honda Accord to stop for a routine check at the Arrival Car Bay at Tuas Checkpoint. 2 The driver appeared composed initially. During the search, our eagle-eyed ICA officers spotted a small opening leading to a specially constructed compartment behind the ......09 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5871On 6 Oct 2003 at about 2205 hours, three illegal immigrants and their Malaysian driver found out for themselves that nothing escapes the eyes of our alert Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Woodlands Checkpoint. The three illegal immigrants had tried to enter Singapore illegally by hiding in a secret compartment in the boot of a Malaysian-registered car driven by a 19-year old male Malaysian. 2 Our ICA officers stopped the incoming car for a check when they noticed that the car boot appeared to be heavy even though there were no passengers at the back. The driver was ......07 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5872On 6 Oct 2003, at about 0045 hours, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers mounted a joint operation together with Police from Jurong and Bedok Divisions to conduct simultaneous raids at four different residential units located at Bedok North, Pipit Road and along Jalan Bumbong and Lorong Mydin. A total of 30 immigration offenders (29 Indonesian nationals and one Indian national) aged between 19 to 43 years old were arrested during the raid. Forged immigration stamps were recovered from a villa along Jalan Bumbong. 2 In the luxurious and well-furnished 3-storey villa along Jalan Bumbong, 17 male Indonesian nationals (five ......06 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5873As part of the Singapore Government's offensive against the growing global security threat, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) was formed on 1 Apr 2003 with the aim to strengthen the border security of Singapore. ICA brought together some 2,400 immigration officers from the former Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR) and 1,000 customs officers from the preventive and enforcement units of the former Customs & Excise Department (CED).2 In order to build a shared identity for ICA, a logo, mission, vision and departmental values were created with our officers' participation. Similarly for the ICA uniform, a committee comprising officers holding ......01 October 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5874On 18 Sep 2003 at about 1345 hrs, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers boarded and searched an empty Malaysian-registered tour coach at Tuas checkpoint, Arrival zone, as part of a routine check. In the course of the search, ICA officers found that many compartments of the tour coach, including the compartments for the luggage, air conditioner compressor, were locked. When asked by ICA Officers to open the compartments for examination, the driver appeared to be slow in responding to the request. Upon further inspection, a total of 1495 cartons x 200 sticks of assorted duty unpaid cigarettes were found ......18 September 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5875On 15 September 2003 at about 0710 hours, an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer stopped an Indian national for a routine check on his hand luggage at the baggage examination area at Changi Airport, Arrival Terminal 2. The Indian man who had arrived from Chennai, India bolted and made a dash for the exit. Our ICA officers caught up with him and had escorted him to the office for a thorough check on his luggage. During the check, 499 live star tortoises were found in the luggage. 2 Preliminary investigation revealed that the man was handed the consignment at ......15 September 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5876Under the Patriot Act introduced by the United States of America (US) in 2001, foreign nationals visiting the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) are required to have a machine readable passport with effect from 1 October 2003. Children including infants are also required to have their own machine-readable passports. 2 Singapore is on the US VWP. This allows Singapore citizens travelling on Singapore Passports to enter USA without having to obtain a US visa if their stay does not exceed 90 days. Who needs to apply for a new passport?3 All Singapore Passports issued locally from 2 Jan ......11 September 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5877On 5 Sep 2003 at about 2300 hours, alerted by banging sounds coming out from an abandoned car near the Arrival car zone at Woodlands Checkpoint, a vigilant officer from Immigration & Checkpoint Authority discovered four illegal immigrants hiding underneath the rear passenger seat upon further inspection on the car. The four persons hiding in the car were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized. 2 A thorough search for the driver of the abandoned car was immediately conducted within the premise of the checkpoint. Within 10 minutes of the search, the suspected driver of the abandoned car, ......06 September 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5878From 1 Sep 2003, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will be implementing a new online service known as iC Online. iC Online allows 30 year-old Identity Card (NRIC) re-registrants and NRIC holders who wish to replace their NRICs due to change in particulars or damage to submit their applications via the internet. iC Online allows real time access for members of public to submit their application for NRIC re-registration or replacement due to change of particulars or damage from the convenience of their home, 24 hours a day, in a secure way. It can be accessed through ICA's website at ......29 August 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5879On 26 Aug 2003 at about 0530 hours, a Malaysian registered van driven by a 23 year-old Malaysian man was stopped for a routine check at the Arrival Bus concourse of Woodlands Checkpoint. During the initial check, an alert Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer suspected that there was a hidden compartment under the van and proceeded to drill a hole on the floorboard of the van. 2 With the aid of a fiberscope (a miniature camera-like contraption), ICA officers were able to see cartons of cigarettes hidden under the floorboard. They forced open the secret compartment located between the ......26 August 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5880On 12 Aug 2003, ICA officers mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2235 hours, a 24 year-old male Malaysian driving a Malaysian-registered car was signalled by the ICA officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section. During the search, ICA officers found four persons hiding inside the car boot. The driver was traveling with another male passenger, aged 21 years old. All, including the four persons hiding in the boot, were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized. 2 Preliminary ......13 August 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5881On 12 Aug 2003, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conducted a check on a male Sri Lankan at a bus stop along Geylang Road. A body search was conducted on the 27 year-old male and ICA officers found two Sri Lanka passports in his possession. One of the passports belongs to him and he has a valid social visit pass endorsement in his passport. Further checks revealed that the second passport, which belonged to an unknown holder, contained a forged immigration extension endorsement. 2 The Sri Lankan subsequently led the officers back to a flat in Gloucester Road where ......12 August 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5882All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the weekend starting from the eve of National Day. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual. For departures, it is expected to start from Friday evening, 8 Aug 2003. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Sunday evening, 10 Aug 2003, when the weekend ends.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead. 3 Travellers can call ......06 August 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5883Case 1: 4,849 Uncensored and obscene Discs found in secret compartment of a carFollowing the successful haul of 6,017 and 2,770 pieces of uncensored and obscene discs on 22 Jul and 29 Jul 2003 respectively, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Tuas Checkpoint intercepted yet another vehicle that attempted to smuggle more uncensored and obscene discs into Singapore. 2 On 31 Jul 2003 at about 0515 hours, ICA officers signalled a Malaysia registered car to stop for checks. During the initial check, ICA officers did not find anything incriminating in the car. However, as the 48 year-old male Malaysian ......31 July 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5884Case 1 : 15 Immigration Offenders arrested in a series of raidOn 28 Jul 2003, between 1930 hours and 2045 hours, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers mounted a series of operation against immigration offenders at lodging houses and a residential unit located along Onan Road. Within 75 minutes, 15 immigration offenders were arrested in three separate lodging houses and the residential unit. 2 In one of the lodging houses, seven male Indian nationals (five illegal immigrants and two overstayers) were arrested. They are aged between 52 years old and 31 years old and had worked illegally in Singapore as ......29 July 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5885After weeks of investigation, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers laid an ambush at the Arrival Bus Bay of Tuas Checkpoint on 22 Jul 2003 for a Malaysian registered van suspected to be involved in smuggling activities.2 At about 1950 hours, the van was spotted and signalled to stop for checks. During the initial check, ICA officers did not find anything incriminating in the van. However, the alert ICA officers suspected that there might be a specially constructed compartment under the floorboard of the van and proceeded to drill a hole on the floorboard. When a fiberscope (a miniature camera-like ......23 July 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5886Case 1: Arrest of 13 Immigration Offenders for Involvement in Illegal Employment ScamOn 15 Jul 2003 at about 0830 hours, acting on information received, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conducted a check at a HDB unit in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 and arrested two Indian nationals for suspected involvement in illegal employment scam. 2 Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the Indian nationals, a 31 year-old male, had set up a cleaning company with a male Singaporean to supply immigration offenders as cleaners to several eateries. His accomplice, another 29 year-old male Indian national, who was arrested with ......16 July 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5887Following two successful arrests of a 43 year-old male Malaysian and a 54 year-old male Singaporean caught with forged Employment Passes and Safety Orientation Certificate (SOC) cards hidden in red packets on 11 Jun 2003 and 25 Jun 2003 respectively, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers yesterday foil yet another attempt by a 39 year-old male Malaysian to smuggle forged Singapore Identity Cards (NRIC) and forged Employment Passes in red packets. 2 On 11 Jul 2003, after weeks of investigation, ICA officers laid an ambush at the Arrival Car Bay of Woodlands Checkpoint for the male Malaysian suspected to be ......12 July 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5888Acting on a tip-off, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers from the Coastal Command boarded and searched a barge towed by a tug boat alongside Jurong Wharf on 9 July 2003 at about 0810 hours. In the course of the search, ICA officers found two boxes containing a total of 50 cartons x 200 sticks of assorted duty unpaid cigarettes hidden under the canvas sheets amongst the cargo of cardboard boxes on the barge. 2 The market value of the cigarettes is estimated to be $3,861.75. The amount of Customs duty and GST payable is about $3,192.60 and $154.47 respectively. ......09 July 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5889In the last three months (Apr to Jun 2003), ICA's Air Cargo Command detected 101 cases of contraband or illegal goods being imported into Singapore. Within a span of one and a half months, between 16 May 2003 and 30 Jun 2003, Air Cargo Command, which includes Parcel Post Section has detected five cases of unauthorised importation of offensive weapons and two cases of unauthorised importation of obscene items. All the cases detected were referred to Police for further investigations. Violation of Registration of Import & Export Regulations (Cap 272A)Case 12 On 16 May 2003 at about 1130 hours, ICA ......04 July 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5890On 1 Jul 2003 at about 1650 hours, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conducted a check on two male Sri Lankans at the entrance of a hotel along Balestier Road. A body search was conducted on two 27 year-old men and four Sri Lanka passports were discovered. Besides holding their own passports, one of the male Sri Lankan was also in possession of two other passports belonging to two Sri Lankan females aged 26 and 27 years old. ICA officers flipped through the two passports and detected forged immigration extension endorsements.2 The two men subsequently led the officers back ......02 July 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5891Based on the information received, on 30 Jun 2003 at the Departure Car Zone of Woodlands Checkpoint, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers intercepted a Malaysian registered car which was involved in the conveyance of immigration offenders out of Singapore illegally. 2 At about 2225 hours, a silver Proton Waja, driven by a 23 year-old male Malaysian was signalled to stop for checks. When the car boot was opened, ICA officers found four persons, consisting of three males and one female, huddled inside. The driver and the four persons were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized. 3 ......01 July 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5892Following a successful arrest of a 43 year-old male Malaysian caught with 34 forged Employment Passes and Safety Orientation Certificate (SOC) cards hidden in two red packets on 11 Jun 2003, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers yesterday nabbed another 54 year-old male Singaporean using the same ruse of hiding forged Employment Passes in red packets to avoid detection.2 On 25 Jun 2003, after weeks of investigation, ICA officers laid an ambush at the Arrival Bus Hall Secondary Check Area of Woodlands Checkpoint for the male Singaporean suspected to be a runner of a foreign-based forged card syndicate. The syndicate ......26 June 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5893On 15 Jun 2003 at about 2020 hours, a Malaysian registered van driven by a 33 year-old Malaysian Indian was stopped for 100% checks at Arrival Bus concourse of Woodlands Checkpoint. During the initial check, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers did not find anything incriminating in the van. However, the alert ICA officers suspected that the rear tyre compartment of the van has been modified and proceeded to check on the floorboard of the van. 2 The ICA officers unscrewed a portion of the floorboard of the van and found some cardboard beneath the gap. Further attempts were made ......16 June 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5894After the successful haul of 141 tampered and colour copied work permits just two weeks ago, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers have successfully arrested another 43 year-old male Malaysian with 34 forged Employment Passes and Safety Orientation Certificate (SOC) cards at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 11 Jun 2003.2 After weeks of investigation, ICA officers laid an ambush at the Arrival Bus Concourse of Woodlands Checkpoint for the male Malaysian suspected to be a runner of a foreign-based forged card syndicate. The syndicate is believed to be producing and selling forged Employment Passes to immigration offenders in Singapore.3 At about ......11 June 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5895On 4 Jun 2003 at about 1000 hours, a 20-foot container was diverted to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Tanjong Pagar Scanning Station for radiographic scanning by the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS). Upon analysis of the image taken of the container, ICA officers found that the content was atypical of fruit drinks. Officers then decided to conduct a thorough check of the container. Upon physical check, the contents were confirmed to be Vodka.2 Based on the shipping documents, there were about 23,520 bottles of Vodka (0.45litres each) in the container. The market value is estimated to be ......04 June 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5896Since 26 May 2003, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officers at the Ports Command have been monitoring the arriving of two containers on board the vessel M/V Iran Tehran. Based on information obtained from our intelligence sources, the containers were suspected to contain counterfeit goods.2 On 2 Jun 2003 at about 0200 hours, the two 20" footer containers suspected to contain counterfeit goods were discharged from the vessel and diverted to Tanjong Pagar Scanning Station for radiographic scanning by our Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS) to validate against the cargoes declared. A manual check was then conducted in the presence ......02 June 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5897On 27 May 2003 at about 2115 hours, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conducted a check on a 27 year-old male Bangladesh national at a bus stop in Upper Boon Keng Road. During the check, two forged Work Permits were found in his possession. 2 During the investigation, the Bangladesh national revealed that he had bought one of the forged cards from another male Bangladesh national at the vicinity of Eunos Crescent. 3 Based on the information provided, ICA officers laid an ambush at the void deck of a HDB flat in Eunos Crescent the next day, 28 May ......29 May 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5898JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BYIMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY AND THE MINISTRY OF MANPOWEREveryone must play a part in fighting SARS by exercising responsible behaviour. This includes coming forward to seek medical attention if one is sick. Preventing the spread of SARS is everyone's responsibility and in one's own interest. 2 The Government has maintained open and transparent communication with all sectors of the population. Foreign workers are among the various groups that the Government is reaching out to share information about SARS and the precautions to take. They have been issued with health advisories in their native languages educating them on ......26 May 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5899Over a span of 4 days, from 18 May to 21 May 2003, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers have detected four cases of unauthorized possession and importation of offensive weapons and a case of wrongful declaration of consignment.Detection of unauthorized/offensive weapons over a span of 4 days2 On 18 May 2003 at about 2355 hours, ICA officers stopped a Singapore registered car for 100% checks at the Arrival Car Zone in Tuas Checkpoint. Upon examination, replicas of one revolver, one pistol and 296 pallets were found in the traveling bag of the male driver. 3 The 26 year-old male ......24 May 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5900On 20 May 2003, the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) reported a new probable SARS case involving a 26-year-old Malaysian man. The man was escorted back to Malaysia after he was found to have a fever at the Singapore checkpoint on 18 May 2003.2 Associated Press quoted Dr Ismail Merican of the Malaysian MOH as saying that by so doing, Singapore has contravened an agreement reached by leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last month.3 This is not correct. At the recent Special ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on SARS, it was agreed that ASEAN Health Ministers and Ministers ......21 May 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5901On 15 May 2003, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority Officer Leong Kwok Yuen stopped a Malaysia registered lorry carrying a consignment of empty polystyrene boxes at the Tuas Cargo Clearance Centre for a routine check. Upon inspecting the consignment, about 1.75 ton of pig intestines and parts were found hidden in 63 white polystyrene boxes and brown paper cartons. The lone Malay driver, a Malaysian, male, aged 33 years old was arrested for attempting to smuggle the pig intestines and parts into Singapore. The import of any pork and pork products originating from Malaysia is prohibited under the Wholesome Meat and ......16 May 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5902In anticipation of the school holiday rush, ICA encourages citizens to apply for their passports early by using the Application for Passport Online Electronic System or APPLES. Why Queue?2 Launched on 2 May 2002, APPLES gives citizens the added flexibility and choice when applying for their passports as it enables them to apply and pay for their passports online anytime and at the convenience and comfort of their homes. APPLES can be accessed through ICA's website at www.ica.gov.sg as well as the eCitizen portal at www.ecitizen.gov.sg. 3 ICA has put in place health and temperature screening measures to ensure that ......12 May 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5903From 7 May 2003, all incoming social visitors* at the land checkpoints will be required to fill in Health Declaration Cards (HDCs). This is to help the authorities to contact them quickly, should the need arise. ICA will also be conducting temperature checks on travellers arriving or departing by car, van, lorry or motorcycle. 2 The new measures are part of a set of comprehensive precautionary measures put in place to detect and isolate any suspected SARS cases at our borders. The measures will reinforce the temperature checks, conducted with the use of the thermal imagers, which have been in ......05 May 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5904This morning at about 0645 hours, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conducted a raid at a HDB unit in Ang Mo Kio and successfully arrested seven immigration offenders. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that all the immigration offenders arrested are Myanmar nationals and aged between 19 and 38 years old. Six of them had entered Singapore illegally and one had overstayed. They will be charged in court.3 ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to overstay or enter Singapore illegally and would prosecute them and others who abet their illegal stay or entry into Singapore. Under the Immigration ......02 May 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5905On 28 Apr 2003, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers mounted a series of operation against immigration offenders at HDB flats, a forested area and a petrol kiosk. The series of raids resulted in the arrest of a total of 10 immigration offenders. 2 Four overstayers, one male Pakistan national and three female Nepal nationals, were arrested in a raid conducted at a HDB unit in Toa Payoh and in Yishun. In a separate operation, two female Thai nationals were arrested at a forested area in Yishun for overstaying. The women were found hiding in a make-shift tent and believed ......29 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5906On 26 April 2003 at about 0645 hours, a check was conducted on a wooden boat "Bumi Jaya" berthed at Pasir Panjang Wharf. During the check, a metal cage with 35 parrots were found. The cage was wrapped with a cardboard box, hidden in the fore peak cargo hatch of the wooden boat. The 35 parrots found are endangered species consisting of 27 Black-capped Lory, four Moluccan Cockatoo, two Eclectus Parrot and two Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.2 The illegally smuggled birds were handed over to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for investigation. A 28 year-old male Indonesian crew and the captain ......28 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5907On 24 April 2003, ICA officers mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 1900 hours, a 29 year-old male Malaysian driving a Malaysian-registered Perudua Rusa van was signalled by the ICA officers to stop for checks at the Arrival Bus Lane. During the search, ICA officers found three persons hiding inside a specially built secret compartment beneath the floorboard behind the back passenger seats of the van. The driver and the three persons were immediately placed under arrest. The van was also seized. 2 ......25 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5908Precautionary measures have been put in place to isolate and contain the SARS problem at our borders. Temperature checks with the use of the thermal imager have been in place for incoming and outgoing passengers at Changi Airport and the land checkpoints. 2 These steps are taken so that SARS is not inadvertently "exported" to other countries. Outgoing passengers are screened at Changi Airport, Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints. 3 Since the deployment of thermal imager at the land checkpoints on 23 April till 0800 hours on 25 Apr 2003, a total of 211 travellers (118 were detected at Arrival and ......25 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5909With effect from 30 April 2003, all new and returning foreign students attending private schools, professional visit pass holders coming for more than a month, and their accompanying family members, coming from areas affected by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), will be quarantined for 10 days upon their arrival.2 This measure is necessary to contain the spread of SARS in Singapore as these groups of foreigners are likely to live and work with the larger community in Singapore. It is in line with similar measures introduced earlier for foreigners coming to work here or to study in our Government ......25 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5910The Thermal Imaging Systems will be introduced at the land checkpoints from today as part of a trial to assess their suitability for deployment there following their deployment at Changi Airport. 2 There will be two units deployed at the Woodlands Checkpoint and one unit at the Tuas Checkpoint. Their deployment at the land checkpoints is in line with efforts to reduce the number of imported cases. 3 All travellers must pass through the Thermal Imaging System. If the system detects a raised temperature, the traveller concerned will be referred to the nurses at the nearby nurse station for further ......23 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5911On 21 April 2003, the Singapore-Malaysia Technical Working Group comprising health, immigration and other officials from Singapore and Malaysia led by Mr Lock Wai Han, Commissioner, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore and Dr. Shafie Bin Ooyub, Director for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Malaysia, met in Johor Bahru to discuss areas of cooperation on the prevention and control of SARS between the two countries.2 The working group, chaired by Dr. Shafie Bin Ooyub, met to look into the operationalisation of the issues discussed at the Malaysia-Singapore Bilateral Meeting on SARS in Putrajaya on 16 April 2003, which include the following:a) ......22 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5912Case 1: ICA officers foiled two attempts to smuggle calcareous rocks (hard corals) in two daysImmigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Ports Command conducted checks on two lorries at Pasir Panjang Gate 3 on 16 and 17 April 2003 and uncovered a total of 30 boxes of calcareous rocks that were undeclared. The calcareous rocks originate from hard corals and all hard corals are listed under the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species in Wild fauna and Flora (CITES). 2 A 42 year-old female Singaporean admitted ownership to the first batch of 24 boxes of calcareous rocks. For ......17 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5913On 15 April 2003 at about 1800 hours, a Malaysian registered taxi was stopped for checks at the Arrival Car Lane of Woodlands Checkpoint. During the check, a bag containing 15 green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and one plastic container with three sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) were found hidden underneath the front passenger seat. A further search revealed three green tree pythons (Chondropython viridis) hidden in the pocket trousers of one of the three male passengers in the taxi. 12 packages of animal foodstuffs and vitamin pills were also found in his bag. 2 The illegally smuggled animals and foodstuff were ......16 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5914All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from the eve of Good Friday. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavy during this period. For departures, it is expected to start from Thursday evening, 17 Apr 2003. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Sunday evening, 20 Apr 2003, when the public holidays end.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Travellers departing Singapore by land ......16 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5915Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers mounted an island-wide operation against immigration offenders at several HDB flats, lodging houses and eateries over a span of two days, from 7 to 8 Apr 2003. The series of raids resulted in an arrest of 75 immigration offenders, the largest number netted since the formation of ICA. 2 A total of four HDB units, three eateries and two lodging houses were ambushed and raided between 0400 hours on 7 Apr 2003 to 0300 hours the next day. The 75 immigration offenders (62 males and 13 females) arrested were from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, ......08 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5916At the inauguration of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Mr Wong Kan Seng, Minister for Home Affairs, responded to media queries about whether there would be similar health screening procedures at the land checkpoints as is being done at the airport to minimise the import of SARS cases.Minister Wong said that we have to focus on the key areas first, and right now they are Hong Kong, China and Vietnam and travellers from there come by air and we have to deal with them at the airport. Health screening checks at the land and other checkpoints would have to depend ......01 April 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5917On 1 April 2003, a new organisation known as the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will be formed. The ICA will bring together the Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR) and checkpoint control functions of the Customs & Excise Department (CED). 2. In addition to controlling the entry of goods and people through the checkpoints, ICA will also provide the citizen, permanent resident and visitor services currently undertaken by SIR. These services, such as issuance of passports, NRICs, re-entry permits and visitor passes etc, will continue to be offered at the current SIR Building, which will be renamed as the ICA ......31 March 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5918Formation of Immigration & Checkpoints Authority24 Mar 2003The Government has announced that with effect from 1 April 2003, two departments - Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs (SC) - would be formed. 2 With the formation of ICA, the border security of Singapore will be further enhanced. Making up of about 2400 officers from the Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR) and about 1000 officers from the Customs & Excise Department (CED), ICA will be responsible for the security of Singapore's borders against the entry of undesirable persons, cargo and conveyances through our land, air and sea checkpoints. It ......24 March 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5919Our checkpoints are the first line of defence against terrorist threats. They help prevent the entry of persons or goods that might pose a danger to the security of Singapore. In line with a general increase of the threat level worldwide, the current enhanced checks at the land checkpoints are part of the ongoing efforts to enhance security in Singapore.Traffic situation at the land checkpoints2 SIR has been monitoring the traffic situation at both checkpoints closely since the checks on all vehicles started on 14 Mar 2003. The traffic situation at Tuas Checkpoint has remained smooth even though clearance time ......22 March 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5920On 24 Feb 2003, acting on information received, SIR officers mounted an island-wide operation against immigration offenders. 5 HDB units in Woodlands, Tampines, Sims Drive and Ang Mo Kio were raided. A total of 37 immigration offenders were arrested within the premises. 2 The 37 immigration offenders (31 males and 6 females) were from India, Myanmar and the People's Republic of China. In one HDB unit alone, 14 immigration offenders were found. In the other HDB units, about 5 to 6 immigration offenders were arrested. The immigration offenders arrested had entered Singapore illegally or overstayed. The majority are aged between ......24 February 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5921On 24 Feb 2003, acting on information received, SIR officers mounted an island-wide operation against immigration offenders. 5 HDB units in Woodlands, Tampines, Sims Drive and Ang Mo Kio were raided. A total of 37 immigration offenders were arrested within the premises. 2 The 37 immigration offenders (31 males and 6 females) were from India, Myanmar and the People's Republic of China. In one HDB unit alone, 14 immigration offenders were found. In the other HDB units, about 5 to 6 immigration offenders were arrested. The immigration offenders arrested had entered Singapore illegally or overstayed. The majority are aged between ......24 February 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5922On 24 Feb 2003, acting on information received, SIR officers mounted an island-wide operation against immigration offenders. 5 HDB units in Woodlands, Tampines, Sims Drive and Ang Mo Kio were raided. A total of 37 immigration offenders were arrested within the premises. 2 The 37 immigration offenders (31 males and 6 females) were from India, Myanmar and the People's Republic of China. In one HDB unit alone, 14 immigration offenders were found. In the other HDB units, about 5 to 6 immigration offenders were arrested. The immigration offenders arrested had entered Singapore illegally or overstayed. The majority are aged between ......24 February 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5923On 24 Feb 2003, acting on information received, SIR officers mounted an island-wide operation against immigration offenders. 5 HDB units in Woodlands, Tampines, Sims Drive and Ang Mo Kio were raided. A total of 37 immigration offenders were arrested within the premises. 2 The 37 immigration offenders (31 males and 6 females) were from India, Myanmar and the People's Republic of China. In one HDB unit alone, 14 immigration offenders were found. In the other HDB units, about 5 to 6 immigration offenders were arrested. The immigration offenders arrested had entered Singapore illegally or overstayed. The majority are aged between ......24 February 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5924All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the Chinese New Year. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual during this peak period. For departures, it is expected to start from Thursday evening, 30 Jan 2003. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Monday evening, 3 Feb 2003, when the public holidays end.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Travellers departing Singapore by ......29 January 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5925All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the Chinese New Year. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual during this peak period. For departures, it is expected to start from Thursday evening, 30 Jan 2003. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Monday evening, 3 Feb 2003, when the public holidays end.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Travellers departing Singapore by ......29 January 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5926All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the Chinese New Year. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual during this peak period. For departures, it is expected to start from Thursday evening, 30 Jan 2003. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Monday evening, 3 Feb 2003, when the public holidays end.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Travellers departing Singapore by ......29 January 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5927All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the Chinese New Year. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual during this peak period. For departures, it is expected to start from Thursday evening, 30 Jan 2003. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Monday evening, 3 Feb 2003, when the public holidays end.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Travellers departing Singapore by ......29 January 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5928Since Jan 2003, SIR has implemented a new system known as the Student's Pass On-Line Application and Registration (SOLAR) System. The system makes it easier for foreign students to apply for a Student's Pass (STP) by allowing them to do so on-line.2 SOLAR is a tie-up with ten Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL). They comprise National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, INSEAD (Singapore), University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (Singapore) and five polytechnics, namely, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic. 3 SOLAR allows foreign students who have been accepted ......13 January 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5929Since Jan 2003, SIR has implemented a new system known as the Student's Pass On-Line Application and Registration (SOLAR) System. The system makes it easier for foreign students to apply for a Student's Pass (STP) by allowing them to do so on-line.2 SOLAR is a tie-up with ten Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL). They comprise National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, INSEAD (Singapore), University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (Singapore) and five polytechnics, namely, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic. 3 SOLAR allows foreign students who have been accepted ......13 January 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5930Since Jan 2003, SIR has implemented a new system known as the Student's Pass On-Line Application and Registration (SOLAR) System. The system makes it easier for foreign students to apply for a Student's Pass (STP) by allowing them to do so on-line.2 SOLAR is a tie-up with ten Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL). They comprise National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, INSEAD (Singapore), University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (Singapore) and five polytechnics, namely, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic. 3 SOLAR allows foreign students who have been accepted ......13 January 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=5931Since Jan 2003, SIR has implemented a new system known as the Student's Pass On-Line Application and Registration (SOLAR) System. The system makes it easier for foreign students to apply for a Student's Pass (STP) by allowing them to do so on-line.2 SOLAR is a tie-up with ten Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL). They comprise National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, INSEAD (Singapore), University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (Singapore) and five polytechnics, namely, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic. 3 SOLAR allows foreign students who have been accepted ......13 January 2003Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=13CASE 1On 18 Dec 2002, SIR officers successfully arrested two immigration offenders at Woodlands Checkpoint when they tried to enter Singapore illegally by car at about 0600 hours. A Malaysian driver was also arrested. 2 The 24-year old male Malaysian driver was signalled by the SIR officers to stop for checks at the Arrival Section of Woodlands Checkpoint. Two males were found hiding in the speaker compartment behind the backseat of the vehicle. The driver and the two persons were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized. 3 Preliminary investigations revealed that the two Myanmar nationals, aged 20 ......18 December 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=20Travel AdvisoryPOSSIBLE CONGESTION AT CHECKPOINTS DURING LONG WEEKENDAll travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion starting from eve of Hari Paya Puasa. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual. For departures, it is expected to start from Thursday evening, 5th December 2002. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Sunday evening, 8th December 2002, when the long weekend ends.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport ......03 December 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=21A foreigner who wishes to pursue full-time studies in Singapore is required to apply for a Student's Pass (STP). SIR adopts a balanced approach in facilitating application for STPs from foreigners, in order to address our security, law and order and other concerns. 2 From 1 Nov 2002, the following facilitative measures will be introduced for foreigners applying to study undergraduate/postgraduate degree courses registered with the Ministry of Education in private schools in Singapore:- STPs valid for one year will be issued instead of the current six-monthly STPs. If the students maintain a good record, upon renewal, the STP will ......31 October 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=25All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the coming Deepavali Public Holiday. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual. 2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead. 3 Travellers departing Singapore by land will be able to know in advance the traffic situation at Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints from the LTA's Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) installed along AYE and BKE respectively. 4 Travellers can ......31 October 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=26A foreigner who wishes to pursue full-time studies in Singapore is required to apply for a Student's Pass (STP). SIR adopts a balanced approach in facilitating application for STPs from foreigners, in order to address our security, law and order and other concerns. 2 From 1 Nov 2002, the following facilitative measures will be introduced for foreigners applying to study undergraduate/postgraduate degree courses registered with the Ministry of Education in private schools in Singapore:· STPs valid for one year will be issued instead of the current six-monthly STPs. If the students maintain a good record, upon renewal, the STP will ......31 October 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=32Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR) has come across businesses, registered under the guise of societies, offering gaming activities. They set up multiple "clubhouses" that offer 24-hour gaming activities. With little control on their accessibility, these outlets promote a gambling culture and exert a negative social influence, especially on our youths. They also pose potential law and order problems as they may be used as meeting and recruitment grounds for street gangs and drug abuse.2 We have advised all clubs registered under the Societies Act that under the Private Lotteries Act, it is an offence for clubs to operate a gaming ......18 October 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=36SIR OFFICERS FOIL ATTEMPT TO DEPART ILLEGALLYSIR officers successfully arrested four immigration offenders when they tried to depart Singapore illegally by car on 15 Oct 2002 at Woodlands Checkpoint. The Malaysian driver was also caught. 2 At about 2200 hours, the 19-year old driver was signalled by SIR officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section at Woodlands Checkpoint. During the search, SIR officers found four persons, consisting of one male and three females, hiding inside the car boot. 3 Preliminary investigations revealed that the four Thai nationals, aged between 26 and 35 years old, are believed to be ......16 October 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=40The Johor-Singapore 2nd Link Bridge Run will be held on Sunday, 20 Oct 2002 from 0600 hours to 1100 hours. It is jointly organised by the Johor State Government, The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad, Johor Tourism Department and Singapore Sports Council. The main objective of the event is to strengthen bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia and to promote sports and tourism in both countries. A press release was issued by the Singapore Sports Council on 28 Sep 2002 to announce the event. 2 To facilitate the run, some lanes on the 2nd link bridge will be closed. ......15 October 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=44From 30 Sep 2002, all new Identity Cards (NRICs) issued by the Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR) will not contain the blood group of the NRIC holders. 2 When the then National Registration Department started recording the blood group information of NRIC holders in 1985, the objective was to facilitate blood collection in an emergency. A recent review conducted by SIR on the need to record the blood group on the NRIC concluded that with medical advancements, a large number of people can now be tested in a shorter period of time even during an emergency. 3 Hence, from 30 ......24 September 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=45SIR OFFICERS FOIL ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT SCAM AND ILLEGAL ENTRY IN ONE DAY Case 1: Arrest of Overstayer Involved in Illegal Employment ScamOn 19 Sep 2002, acting on information received, SIR officers mounted an operation against an illegal employment syndicate. Checks were conducted at several pubs and restaurants in Bendemeer Road, Circular Road and Tanjong Pagar Road and the enforcement officers successfully arrested five Sri Lankan immigration offenders at these premises. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the four immigration offenders, comprising of one illegal immigrant and three overstayers, aged between 22 and 27 year-old, were working illegally as cleaners in the ......20 September 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=52The Minister for Home Affairs has, from 16 to 18 Sep 2002, dissolved the following societies under Section 24(1) of the Societies Act for contravening their respective constitutions: S/No. Name of Society1) Andrews Avenue Football Club;2) Institution Hill Sports Club;3) Jalan Sultan Football Club;4) Nanyang Forest Football Club;5) New Oriental Soccer Club; and6) West Coast Highway Dynamos Football Club2 Police inspected the clubs' premises on a number of occasions and had found them to be providing entertainment facilities to non-members. Instead of reserving the clubs' facilities for only its members and authorised guests, non-members who were not registered as guests ......18 September 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=55POSSIBLE CONGESTION AT CHECKPOINTS DURING LONG WEEKENDAll travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the weekend starting from eve of National Day. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual. For departures, it is expected to start from Thursday evening, 8th August 2002. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy on Sunday evening, 11th August 2002, when the long weekend ends.2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public ......06 August 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=60MORE IMMIGRATION OFFENDERS NABBED AT WOODLANDS CHECKPOINT SIR officers successfully arrested three immigration offenders when they tried to depart Singapore illegally by car on 21 Jul 2002 near midnight. A Malaysian driver was also caught. 2 The 43-year old Malaysian was driving a dark grey Ford Laser when he was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section at Woodlands Checkpoint. During the search, SIR officers found three persons hiding inside the car boot. 3 Preliminary investigations revealed that the three Bangladesh nationals, aged 25, 31 and 36 years old, are believed to be immigration ......22 July 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=63On 9 June 2002, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Tuas Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2330 hours, a 23 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a metallic grey Malaysian registered Proton Wira car was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Arrival Section. During the search, SIR officers found five persons hiding inside the car boot. The driver and the five persons were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the status ......10 June 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=68Maintenance work will be carried out on SIR's website on 9 June 2002 from 1.00am to 6.00pm. The various webpages and services within, including Identity Card Checking Facility (iCHECK), Verification of Foreigner Immigration Status (VERIFI) and Application for Passport Online Electronic System (APPLES), will not be available then. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.08 June 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=69The Minister for Home Affairs has today dissolved the following societies under section 24(1)(b) and (f) of the Societies Act:Name of Society/Date of Registration1) Marine Castle Football Club/15 February 19822) Race Course Road United Sports Club/13 January 19643) New Park Ranger Football Club/30 May 19754) Pool Club/29 January 20015) Galaxy Football Club/3 January 20016) Cheshire United Football Club/17 January 20012 Police had inspected the clubs' premises on at least two occasions. In the premises of the clubs from S/No. (1) to (5), Police had found non-members who were not registered as visitors and guests using the clubs' facilities and/or instant ......30 May 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=73All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the coming Public Holiday (Vesak Day)and school holidays. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual. 2 To avoid the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead. 3 Travellers departing Singapore by land will be able to know in advance the traffic situation at Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints from the LTA's Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) installed along AYE and BKE respectively. ......22 May 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=80From 2 May 2002, Singapore citizens at home and abroad will be able to apply for and renew passports on-line. The Application for Passport Online Electronic System (APPLES) allows citizens to submit applications and make payment via the Internet. APPLES can be accessed through SIR's website at http://www.sir.gov.sg as well as the eCitizen portal at http://www.ecitizen.gov.sg. Benefits2 In addition to renewing or applying for a passport by post, deposit box or over-the-counter, APPLES gives Singapore citizens another choice through the Internet. Applicants need only attach a digital photograph (JPEG or *.jpg format*) to the online application form. Electronic payment for ......02 May 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=81IDENTITY CARD CHECKING FACILITY (iCHECK)The Identity Card (NRIC) is used for identification of Singaporeans and permanent residents in Singapore. Currently, when a person presents his NRIC, there is no ready means for members of the public to check whether it has been reported lost or is an authentic NRIC. 2 SIR is introducing a new service called "iCHECK" (Identity Card Checking Facility) to enable the public to check the NRIC presented to them if they have doubts over its authenticity. iCHECK will be available on the internet from 1 April 2002 at SIR's website: http://www.sir.gov.sg. How to use iCHECK3 To ......16 April 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=88NRIC RE-REGISTRATION AT AGE 30 IN THE YEAR 2002/3In the past, children got their first NRIC at the age of 12, and had to get a new one at the age of 17. This gave rise to complaints that the photographs taken at age 17 bear no resemblance to the facial features of adults in later life. The system was changed in 1997 to register children at age 15, with a re-registration at age 30.2 The first cohort affected by the re-registration at age 30 are those born in 1972. However, those whose identity cards were issued less than 10 ......18 March 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=92SIR has enhanced the system to help members of the public verify the status of foreigners in Singapore. The upgraded system is called VERIFI or (VERIfication of Foreigner Immigration Status) and is accessible through the Internet. Any persons or organisations that wish to verify the status of the foreigner can submit a request to VERIFI at SIR's website: http://www.sir.gov.sg.Due Diligence Requirements2 Under the Immigration Act, homeowners who wish to rent their premises out to foreigners are required to exercise due diligence in checking the status of their prospective tenants to ensure that they are in Singapore legitimately. They need to ......08 March 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=96Another 2 immigration offenders were caught trying to sneak out of Singapore at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 27 Feb 2002. SIR officers mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2245 hours, a 25 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a navy blue Malaysian registered Proton Kancil car no. WGA 3851 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found two persons in the cramped space.2 The driver and the two male ......28 February 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=100From 25 Feb 2002, the Seamen's Section of SIR will be relocated from its present premises in World Trade Centre (WTC) to SIR Building as WTC will be undergoing upgrading works in March 2002.2 The Seamen's Section, which operates on a 24-hour basis, will function in WTC till 0800hrs on 25 Feb 2002. From 0800hrs on 25 Feb 2002, it will continue to provide round-the-clock services at its new premises in SIR Building. The contact details of the Seamen Section are as follows:Address - Seamen SectionSingapore Immigration & RegistrationSIR Building#01-02Singapore 208718Telephone - 6391 6477Fax - 6293 6753 / 6293 6758END ......18 February 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=101All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the coming festive seasons, namely Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Haji. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual. For departures, it is expected to start from tomorrow, 9th Feb 2002, as many foreign workers begin their journey home across the Causeway to celebrate the Chinese New Year. For arrivals, travellers can expect traffic to be heavy from Wednesday, 14th Feb 2002, when the Public Holidays end. 2 To avoid the congestion ......08 February 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=108On 5 Feb 2002, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Tuas Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 1740 hours, a 19 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a purple Malaysian registered Proton Perdana car was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section. During the search, SIR officers found two persons hiding inside a specially built secret compartment underneath the backseat of the vehicle. There were two pipes connected to the compartment for ventilation purpose. The driver and the two ......06 February 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=112From 26 January 2002, visa requirements will be extended to visitors holding passports from Somalia. Visitors can apply for a visa from any of the Singapore Missions overseas. They will need to have local sponsors for their visa applications. 2 Visa requirements are regularly reviewed and updated based on the global security situation.END OF NEWS RELEASESingapore Immigration & Registration25 Jan 200225 January 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=116The Minister for Home Affairs has today dissolved the following societies under Section 24(1)(b) and (f) of the Societies Act:Name of Society Date of Registration1) Towner Sports Club 15 June 19872) Glasgow Rangers Football Club 14 February 19943) Serangoon Football Club 2 December 19654) Labrador Juniors Football Club 14 December 19805) Sandilands Rangers Football Club 24 July 19802 These clubs had opened their facilities to non-members and had issued instant membership to members of public in direct violation of their own respective constitutions despite a warning by the Registrar of Societies. They had therefore contravened their own respective constitutions.3 Police ......18 January 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=117On 11 Jan 2002, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2215 hours, a 25 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a white Malaysian registered Proton Wira car no. WJF 4466 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found three persons in the cramp space. The driver and the three persons were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized. 2 Preliminary investigations ......12 January 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=121On 9 Jan 2002, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2325 hours, a 32 year-old male Malaysian Chinese driving a blue Malaysian registered Proton Wira car no. JGB 3589 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found three persons in the cramped space. The driver and the three persons were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized. 2 Preliminary investigations ......10 January 2002Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1419All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the coming festive seasons and school holidays. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual during these peak periods and we anticipate heavier traffic flow as Singaporeans travel to Johor Bahru to attend the Hari Raya open house on Dataran Bandaraya this coming Saturday 22 Dec 01.2 To avoid aggravating the congestion at the checkpoints, travellers are encouraged to car pool or make use of public transport instead.3 Regular bus and train services ......20 December 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1423All travellers intending to use the Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints are advised to plan their travel carefully to avoid possible traffic congestion during the coming festive seasons and school holidays. Traffic volume at the checkpoints is expected to be heavier than usual during these peak periods. 2 Travellers departing Singapore by land will be able to know in advance the traffic situation at Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints from the LTA's Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) installed along AYE and BKE respectively.3 Travellers can also call the Check-Tips Hotline at 863-0117 to find out the latest traffic conditions at the ......13 December 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1427On 4 Dec 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2310 hours, a 24 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a red Malaysian registered Proton Wira car no. JGB 8628 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found four persons in the cramp space. The driver and the four persons were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized. 2 Preliminary investigations ......05 December 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1434The Minister for Home Affairs has dissolved the Charlton Sports Club under section 24(1)(b) of the Societies Act. The Club had opened its facilities to non-members and had issued instant membership to members of the public in direct violation of its own constitution despite repeated warnings by the Registrar of Societies. It had therefore contravened its own constitution.2 The Charlton Sports Club was registered under the Societies Act on 26 September 1989. Police had inspected the Club's premises at 1189 Upper Serangoon Road #01-05 Hougang Plaza Singapore 534785 on three occasions between 5 June 2000 and 27 July 2001 and ......28 November 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1438On 29 Oct 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division began stepped-up operations at Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 1005 hours, a Malaysian registered maroon Kancil Rusa van driven by a 31 year-old Malaysian male driver was signalled to stop for checks. During the check, the officers lifted the back passenger seats and unscrewed a few bolts that were secured to the carpeted floorboard. Upon lifting the floorboard panel, our officers found 2 male and 1 female illegal immigrants hiding and sweating profusely inside a specially built ......29 October 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1439On 12 Oct 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2330 hours, a 19 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a silver Malaysian registered Nissan Saloon EX car no. JDT 1683 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found four persons in the cramp space. The driver and the four persons were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized. 2 Preliminary ......13 October 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1443From 12 October 2001, visa requirements are extended to visitors holding passports from Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan. Visitors can apply for a visa from any of the Singapore Missions overseas. They will need to have local sponsors for their visa applications. 2 Visa requirements are regularly reviewed and updated based on the global security situation.END OF NEWS RELEASESingapore Immigration & Registration11 October 200111 October 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1447On 20 Sep 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division stepped-up their operations at Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 0600 hours, at the arrival bus bay, a Malaysian registered white Nissan Vanette van driven by a male Indian driver was signalled to stop for checks. After the driver came out of his car, the immigration officers moved in to conduct a thorough check on the vehicle. The officers lifted up the back passenger seats and unscrewed a few bolts that were secured to the floorboard inside the ......20 September 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1451The 5th Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (DGICM) was held in Singapore from 3 to 5 September 2001. The Meeting was chaired by Mr Fong Yong Kian, Director, Singapore Immigration and Registration (SIR).2 The respective ASEAN delegations were led by Mr Sa Bali Abas, Director, Department of Immigration and National Registration, Brunei Darussalam; Pol. Brig. Gen. Yun Chhunny, Director of Immigration Department, Cambodia; Mr M Iman Santoso, Director-General of Immigration, Indonesia; Pol. Col. Khammouane Savaivanh, Director-General, Department of Immigration, Lao PDR; Dato' Mohd Jamal Kamdi, Director-General ......05 September 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1457The 5th meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (DGICM) was opened this morning in Singapore at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel by Mr Harun Ghani, Political Secretary (Home Affairs). The meeting will be held from 3 to 5 Sep 2001.2 Mr Fong Yong Kian, Director, Singapore Immigration & Registration is the Chairman for the 5th DGICM. Delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam and representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat will be attending the meeting.Roles of DGICM3 The DGICM which comprises ......03 September 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1462On 14 Aug 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division began stepped-up operations at Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 1945 hours, a Malaysian registered white Nissan Vanette van driven by a male Indian driver was signalled to stop for checks. During the check, the officers noticed that the van's chassis could have been modified. The officers then unscrewed a few bolts that were secured to the floorboard inside the van. Upon lifting the back passenger seats, our officers found 1 male Indian suspected to be an immigration ......15 August 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1463On 21 Jul 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 1925 hours, a 25 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a Malaysian registered white Nissan Vanette van no. JCC 3504 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. A thorough check was conducted. The officers lifted the back passenger seats and unscrewed a few bolts that were secured to the floorboard. Upon lifting up the carpeted floorboard, our officers found 1 female illegal immigrant hidden inside and ......26 July 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1470On 3 Jul 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division began stepped-up operations at Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 1935 hours, a Malaysian registered metallic green Nissan Serena driven by a male Malay driver was signalled to stop for checks at the arrival car bay. After the driver came out of his car, the Immigration Officers moved in to conduct a thorough check on the vehicle. The Immigration Officers noticed an unusual bulge under the car chassis located near the back of the car, suggesting that the ......04 July 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1474On 23 Jun 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division began stepped-up operations at the Tuas Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders into Singapore. At about 1020 hours, a 23 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a Malaysian registered red Toyota Unser, while approaching the Arrival Customs Checkpoint, was signalled by the Customs officers to stop for checks. After the driver came out of his car, the Immigration Officers moved in to conduct a thorough check on the vehicle. Upon lifting up the back passenger seats, the Immigration officers noticed that the carpeted floorboard was higher than ......23 June 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1475On 21 Jun 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division began stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure section to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders out of Singapore. At about 2245 hours, a 19 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a Malaysian registered blue Proton Wira was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks near the Departure Custom checkpoint. The driver refused to comply and suddenly reversed his vehicle before overtaking the front vehicles at high speed. The car dashed through the lane and collided with four vehicles. The immigration officers were able to arrest the ......22 June 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1476On 21 Jun 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division began stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure section to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders out of Singapore. At about 2245 hours, a 19 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a Malaysian registered blue Proton Wira was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks near the Departure Custom checkpoint. The driver refused to comply and suddenly reversed his vehicle before overtaking the front vehicles at high speed. The car dashed through the lane and collided with four vehicles. The immigration officers were able to arrest the ......22 June 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1482On 28 May 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division began stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2140 hours, a 31 year-old male Malaysian Indian driving a Malaysian registered lorry no. JAJ 5220 mounted with a white container was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. 2 The SIR officers noticed that the driver was behaving nervously and upon opening the container door, the alert officers noticed that the interior was slightly shallower than the exterior length of the container and suspected ......29 May 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1486On 9 May 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2235 hours, a 24 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a Malaysian registered maroon Toyota Corona no. JDK 1301 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. The SIR officers noticed that the driver was behaving nervously and upon checking, the officers noticed a loosely secured metal cover below the backseats and found 2 illegal immigrants lying side by side and sweating profusely in a specially built ......11 May 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1490Thirteen foreigners and two Singaporeans were arrested on 31 December 2000 at MacRitchie Park for holding an illegal assembly. The 15 adults charged comprised 9 males and 6 females aged between 21 and 40. Only 2 are Singapore citizens. Of the 13 foreigners, 5 are permanent residents and the others hold various Passes/Permits.2 Seven - Li Ying, Hu Jian, Ang Chee Pheng, Xiong Changlei, Gao Hao, Wu Guorui and Xiong Shouyong - were sentenced to a jail sentence of one month for obstructing public servants from carrying out their duty, with the Courts taking into consideration their participation in an ......27 April 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1494On 25 Apr 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division began stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. On 26 Apr 2001 at about 0545 hours, a 24 year-old male Malaysian Indian driving a Malaysian registered grey Toyota Corona no. WET 2660 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found 4 male illegal immigrants huddled inside. The driver and the 4 illegal immigrants were arrested. The car was seized. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the status ......26 April 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1495On 18 Apr 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted an operation in the vicinity of Woodlands Checkpoint, to thwart attempts to smuggle immigration offenders out of Singapore. 2 On 19 Apr 2001 at about 0215 hours, our officers observed a maroon coloured Toyota Corona car bearing Malaysian Plate No. WBE7738 parked infront of Blk 1A Woodlands Centre. As the lone male driver was observed to be behaving suspiciously, our officers decided to check on him and the vehicle. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found 4 immigration offenders in the cramp space. The driver and the ......19 April 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1502On 2 Apr 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 0640 hours, a 32 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a Malaysian registered silver Toyota Unser (a Multi-Purpose Vehicle) no. JFW 8305 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for an inspection. When the interior was checked, nothing incriminating was found. However the SIR officers noticed that the driver was behaving nervously. When the officers lifted the backseats and removed the floor mat, they noticed a wooden ......03 April 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1506Mr Fong Yong Kian, currently Director (Tax Strategy), Ministry of Finance will succeed Mr Lu Cheng Yang, as Director, SIR with effect from 1 Apr 2001. Mr Fong, an Overseas Merit Scholar, graduated from Oxford University in 1987. His career in the Administrative Service began in 1989 at the then Ministry of Communications with subsequent postings to Mindef and Ministry of Finance. Mr Fong was appointed Director (Taxation) MOF in Sep 1998 and re-designated as Director (Tax Strategy) in July 2000. 2. Mr Lu Cheng Yang will be posted to the Ministry of Environment on 1 Apr 2001. Mr Lu, ......23 March 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1510On 19 Mar 2001 at about 2110 hours, SIR's Enforcement Division conducted an operation against a male Myanmar national believed to be involved in providing forged Student's Pass and Employment Pass cards to Myanmar immigration offenders. Immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division raided a Hotel located at Jalan Besar and arrested the 26 year-old male Myanmar national.2 A search of the room the 26 year-old Myanmar national was occupying was conducted. A forged Student's Pass card, a forged Employment Pass card, a set of computer and other paraphernalia that were used for forgery of the cards were found and seized. ......20 March 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1514On 15 Mar 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. On 16 Mar 2001 at about 0240 hours, a 32 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a Malaysian registered silver Proton Wira no. JEM 3212 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found 3 male illegal immigrants huddled inside. The driver and the 3 illegal immigrants were arrested. The car was seized. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the status ......16 March 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1515On 13 Mar 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 0405 hours, a 23 year-old male Malaysian Chinese driving a white Malaysian registered Proton Saga no. JDL 9781 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found 2 persons in the cramp space. The driver and the 2 persons were arrested. The car was seized. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the status of ......13 March 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1522On 20 Feb 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2205 hours, a 27 year-old male Malaysian Malay driving a Malaysian registered white coloured Proton Wira car no. MAM 4936 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found 3 immigration offenders huddled inside. The car was seized.2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the status of the 3 immigration offenders as 2 female Thai nationals aged ......21 February 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1526On 9 Feb 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2045 hours, a 24 year-old male Malaysian Indian driving a Malaysian registered metallic Green Nissan Pulsar no. JCF 6500 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. When the car boot was opened, only a set of speakers was found occupying half of the car boot, this aroused the suspicion of our officers that there might be a secret compartment. 2 On further checks, the ......10 February 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=1529On 4 Jan 2001, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 0540 hours, a 23 year-old male Malaysian Indian driving a Malaysian registered metallic Grey Toyota Corona no. JBR 3873 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found 5 illegal immigrants huddled inside the booth. The driver, his 20 year-old male Malaysian Indian assistant and the 5 illegal immigrants were arrested. The car was seized. 2 Preliminary ......04 January 2001Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4447On 28 Dec 2000, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Tuas Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 0340 hours, a 38 year-old male Malaysian Indian driving a Malaysian registered Prime Mover (Registration No. WEF 3409) and a tanker with trailer number T/N 4139 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Arrival Lorry Bay. The officers noticed that one of the hatches of the tanker had not been closed. They conducted a thorough search of the interior of the tanker's ......28 December 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4451On 20 Dec 2000, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section to look out for attempts to smuggle illegal immigrants. At about 0605 hours, a 29 years old male Malaysian Indian driving a Malaysian coach with registration no. WEX 3858 was signaled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. SIR officers found 5 immigration offenders hiding in the toilet. The driver, his 32 years old Indian Malaysian assistant and the 5 immigration offenders were arrested. The coach was seized.2 Preliminary investigation revealed that the status of the 5 immigration offenders as ......20 December 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4455On 6 Dec 2000, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders. At about 2245 hours, a 23 year-old male Malaysian Chinese driving a Malaysian registered Proton Wira no. JEV 4325 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found 4 persons hiding in the cramp space. The driver and the 4 immigration offenders were arrested. The car was seized. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the status of the 4 persons as a 36 ......07 December 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4459On 21 Aug 2000, at the Woodlands Checkpoint, officers from the Police Dog Unit stopped and checked on a Malaysian registered car no. JFS 3199. There were 3 male passengers with the male driver in the car. As 2 of the back seat passengers appeared nervous, a body search was conducted and 2 PRC passports were found on them. The 2 passengers had earlier produced photo-substituted Malaysian Restricted Passports for immigration clearance. The 3 passengers and driver were arrested and referred to SIR Enforcement Division.2 Investigations revealed that the Malaysian driver aged 43 year-old, is a pirate taxi driver who ......01 December 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4463On 22 Nov 2000 at about 2100 hours, SIR officers from the Enforcement Division conducted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint. With the co-operation of the Customs & Excise Department, a check was conducted at the Arrival Lorry Bay of Woodlands Checkpoint on a Malaysian registered Prime Mover and Trailer with Registration No. DF 4839 and T/J 2255 respectively. Initial checks only revealed 2 stacks of polystyrene packaging on the trailer.2 The alert officers however noticed a specially built metal panel located in the front portion of the trailer. They then proceeded to do a more thorough check by removing ......23 November 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4470On 21 Nov 2000 at about 1025 hours, SIR's Enforcement Division conducted an operation against a male Sri Lankan national believed to be involved in providing forged Singapore immigration stamp endorsements to other Sri Lankan overstayers. Immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division raided a shophouse at Race Course Road and arrested a 29 year-old male Sri Lankan.2 A search of the room the 29 year-old Sri Lankan national was occupying was conducted. A bag containing several Singapore and Sri Lankan immigration stamps and a Sri Lankan passport bearing his particulars and photograph affixed on it were found and seized. It ......22 November 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4474On 10 Nov 2000, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint to look out for attempts to smuggle immigration offenders in and out of Singapore. At about 2310 hours, a 27 year-old male Malaysian Indian driving a Malaysian registered Honda Accord no. JBS 6008 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks at the Departure Section. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found 4 immigration offenders in the cramp space. The driver and the 4 immigration offenders were arrested. The car was seized. 2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the status ......11 November 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4475Case 1 ? Arrest of PRC Forgery Syndicate MembersOn 1 Nov 2000 at about 1900 hours, SIR's Enforcement Division continued with its stepped-up efforts in operations against persons producing and selling forged work and immigration documents. Immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division checked and arrested a 39 year-old PRC female and 31 year-old male PRC overstayers in the vicinity of Kallang MRT station. They were arrested while they were making a transaction of forged documents.2 During the check, 2 forged Work Permit cards, a Safety Orientation Certificate (SOC) card, a photocopy of an Employment Pass and 2 photocopies of the ......02 November 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4476Further to the news release on 25 Oct 2000, SIR would like to remind motorists to use the Woodlands Checkpoint to avoid any inconvenience at the 2nd link during the Johor-Singapore 2nd link bridge run that will be held on 29 Oct 2000 from 0630 hours to 1030 hours. SIR has been informed by the Malaysian organisers that during the run, the 2nd link bridge will not be fully closed. However, traffic flow at the 2nd link may be affected. Measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the participants and officials. 2 All participants of the run are ......28 October 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4477The Johor-Singapore 2nd Link Bridge Run will be held on 29 Oct 2000 from 0630 hours to 1030 hours. It is jointly organised by the Johor State Government, The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad and Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia with the support of the Singapore counterparts, namely, Ministry of Community Development and Sports, Singapore Sports Council, SIR and Singapore Police Force. The main objective of the event is to strengthen bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia and to promote sports and tourism in both countries. A press release was issued by the Singapore Sports Council on 11 Oct 2000 to ......25 October 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4478On 17 Oct 2000 at about 2200 hours, SIR's Enforcement Division continued with its stepped-up efforts in operations against persons producing and selling forged work and immigration documents. Immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division laid an ambush at the carpark of Cheng San Centre, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 and arrested 2 male Malaysians, aged 32 and 35, and a 28 year-old male PRC overstayer. The 3 persons were arrested while they were making a transaction of forged documents in a Malaysian registered vehicle.2 During the check, the PRC overstayer attempted to throw the forged documents onto the floor mat ......18 October 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4479On 12 Oct 2000 at about 1800 hours, as part of SIR's enforcement blitz against persons producing and selling forged work and immigration documents, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division laid an ambush at the vicinity of Woodlands MRT station and arrested a 32-year-old male Myanmese illegal immigrant. During the check, he was in possession of 2 forged Student's Pass cards. He is believed to be the syndicate's runner and his role was to deliver forged cards to their customers.2 At the same time, another group of immigration officers laid an ambush at the void deck of Blk 283 Yishun ......13 October 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4480On 11 Oct 2000 at about 1800 hours, SIR's Enforcement Division continued with its stepped-up efforts in operations against persons dealing with forged work and immigration documents. Immigration Officers checked and arrested a 30-year-old Myanmar illegal immigrant at the underground platform inside Toa Payoh MRT station. He was in possession of 2 forged green Student's Pass cards.2 He led SIR officers to a flat at Block 183 Toa Payoh Central where he was staying. A search of his room was conducted and the following items were seized:a) A set of computer that he used for forging documents,b) 2 forged Work ......12 October 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4481On 9 Oct 2000, immigration officers from SIR's Enforcement Division conducted an operation against persons involved in the production and sale of forged work permits and safety orientation certificate (SOC) cards. In an ambush at the vicinity of Bishan MRT station, they arrested a 22-year-old male Bangladeshi illegal immigrant. He put up a violent struggle to evade arrest and attempted to throw his wallet away. The officers managed to subdue him with the minimum of necessary force. During the check, a forged Work Permit card, 3 laminated SOC cards, 6 non-laminated SOC cards and keys to a flat in Pasir ......10 October 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4482On 4.10.2000, SIR officers from the Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at Woodlands Checkpoint Arrival Section against conveyors involved in human smuggling. At about 4.20 am, a 34 years old male Malaysian Malay driving a metallic gold Malaysian registered Volvo saloon no. BEC 7598 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for a check. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found 5 immigration offenders in the cramped space. The car was seized.2 Preliminary investigations revealed that the 5 illegal immigrants are, a 19 years old male Indian national, a 28 years old male Indian national, a 36 ......04 October 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4483Illegal immigrants and overstayers remain a serious problem in Singapore. As long as immigration offenders can get work or find a place to stay, the problem cannot be effectively tackled. Under the Immigration Act, to harbour means to give food or shelter and includes the act of assisting a person in any way to evade apprehension. Those who harbour immigration offenders are liable to be prosecuted under the Immigration Act. In any harbouring case, the authorities will thoroughly examine the circumstances and facts of each case carefully, before deciding whether to charge the landlord in Court. Homeowners are required by ......08 September 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4484In conjunction with the Singapore Learning Festival, SIR will hold a learning exhibition from 28 Aug 2000 to 9 Sep 2000. The venue will be 10, Kallang Road, SIR Building, Singapore 208718 (next to Lavender MRT Station). 2 To survive in the new knowledge-based economy, life-long learning and innovation are strategic tools for success. SIR leverage on information technology to enhance our security role and to provide hassle-free services to our customers. Visitors to SIR Learning Exhibition will gain a better knowledge of SIR and how SIR provides security and service with advanced Information Technology (IT) systems and processes. 3 ......28 August 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4485In June 2000, SIR Enforcement Division received information that there was a Sri Lankan national involved in providing forged immigration endorsement for Sri Lankan immigration offenders. Discreet and protracted investigation were carried out to ascertain the identity and modus operandi of the Sri Lankan National.2 On 14.8.00, acting on further information received, officers from SIR's Enforcement Division conducted a raid at a flat at Block 106, Jalan Bukit Merah. They arrested 5 male immigration offenders aged 26 years to 42 years old; 4 Sri Lankan overstayers and 1 Indian illegal immigrant. It was revealed that 3 of the Sri Lankans ......16 August 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4486As SIR moves towards being an organisation of excellence that 'Think Security, Act Service', automation and information technology are strategic tools to improve productivity. 2 In the recent years, SIR has embarked on innovations that provide better security and service to our customers. These included the New Passport System with enhanced security features and the Immigration Automated Clearance System (IACS) that allows travellers to experience automated immigration clearance. 3 To further improve our immigration clearing procedures and processes, SIR is currently studying the operational feasibility of using the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) technology to facilitate immigration clearance at the Singapore ......10 August 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4487SINGAPORE IMMIGRATION & REGISTRATION AND MINISTRY OF MANPOWERNEWS RELEASEFrom 1 Aug 2000, homeowners can verify the status of their prospective foreign tenants via the Internet, in addition to the methods currently available.2 Homeowners who are in doubt of the status of their prospective foreign tenants will, with effect from 1 Aug 2000, be able to check the validity status of various immigration and work passes as follows:For immigration passes, i.e. Social Visit Pass (issued by SIR), Student's Pass and Professional Visit Passa) Call SIR at Tel: 3916100;b) Call in person at Public Affairs Section, Level 2, SIR Building (10 Kallang ......01 August 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4488At about 0700 hours this morning, SIR officers from the Enforcement Division conducted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint Arrival Section. During a check on a 40?ft Malaysian trailer lorry no. JEF 5788, an Indian male illegal immigrant was found hiding between the tailboard and the concrete slabs. The 28-year old male Malaysian driver, his 21-year old assistant and the Indian illegal immigrant were arrested for further investigation. The lorry was seized.2 We would like to remind members of the public that any attempt to traffic immigration offenders, enter/depart Singapore illegally or overstay in Singapore is a serious offence. Security ......15 June 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4489Case 1 Twenty-Four Immigration Offenders Trying To Depart SingaporeOn 9.6.2000, SIR officers from the Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint Lorry Departure Section to look out for attempts to smuggle illegal immigrants. At about 10.55 pm, a 31 years old male Malaysian Indian driving a Malaysian registered lorry no. JDE 5085 stopped at the Customs Booth. Immigration officers, who were conducting the operation with the co-operation of Customs officers, moved in to check the lorry. When the cargo compartment was opened, the officers found 24 immigration offenders in the empty compartment. The driver and the 24 immigration ......10 June 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4490On 7.6.2000, SIR officers from the Enforcement Division mounted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section to look out for attempts to smuggle illegal immigrants. At about 2210 hours, a 21 years old male Malaysian Chinese driving a green Malaysian registered Proton Wira no. JEK 616 was signalled by the immigration officers to stop for checks. Our officers noticed that the driver had with him, another 19 years old male Malaysian Chinese. When the car boot was opened, SIR officers found 4 immigration offenders huddled and sweating in the cramped space. The driver, his assistant and the 4 immigration ......08 June 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4491To avoid the last minute rush before the June school holidays, Singaporeans are advised to apply for their passports early. The rush for passports before the school holidays has always resulted in large crowds of applicants congesting the SIR Building. The number of applicants is expected to increase 2 to 3 fold and waiting in the queue to submit an application can take more than 2 hours during such time.Application and Renewal of SIP by Post / Deposit Box at SIR Building2 Application for SIP can be made by post or through the designated deposit boxes at SIR Building. For ......13 May 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4492On 11.4.2000 at about 1205 hours, at the Departure Section of Woodlands Checkpoint, immigration officers from the Enforcement Division conducted a check on a Malaysian-registered Proton bearing number WFM 6588. During the search, 3 female Thai immigration offenders (1 illegal immigrant, 2 overstayers) were found hiding inside the car boot. The male Malaysian driver, a 62 years old retiree (Chinese), and the 3 immigration offenders were arrested. The vehicle was seized.2 Singapore Immigration and Registration takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to enter into or depart from Singapore illegally. Security checks on passengers and vehicles at all checkpoints ......11 April 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4493CASE 1On 10.4.2000 at about 0600 hours, at the Departure Section of Woodlands Checkpoint, immigration officers from the Enforcement Division conducted a check on a Toyota Corolla bearing Malaysian registration number JBP 6879. During the search, 2 Thai overstayers (1 male, 1 female) and 2 Thai male illegal immigrants were found hiding inside the car boot. The male Malaysian driver, a 29 years old unemployed Chinese, and the 4 immigration offenders were arrested. The vehicle was seized.CASE 22 Later on the same morning at about 0635 hours, at the Arrival Section of Woodlands Checkpoint, immigration officers from the Enforcement Division, ......10 April 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4494CASE 1On 5.4.2000 at about 1945 hours, immigration officers from the Enforcement Division conducted a check on a Malaysian Land Cruiser bearing registration number JFC 9302. During the search, 2 PRC female illegal immigrants and 1 male Bangladeshi male illegal immigrant were found hiding inside a specially built secret compartment located under the rear seats. The female Malaysian driver and the 3 illegal immigrants were arrested. The vehicle was seized.2 The trafficker, a 24 year old unemployed Malaysian, is the first female person to be arrested for conveying illegal immigrants into Singapore. CASE 23 Later the same evening at about ......06 April 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4495Minors who are Singapore Citizens by descent or registration are reminded to take the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty within 12 months on attaining the age of 21 years (i.e .before their 22nd birthday).2 Minors who are in Singapore may take the Oath at the Citizen Services Centre (Citizenship) at SIR Building, 6th Storey, 10 Kallang Road (next to Lavender MRT Station), between 8.30 am to 5.00 pm from Mondays to Fridays and 8.30 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays.3 For those minors who are overseas, they may take the Oath at the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission. If it ......14 March 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4496The commendable efforts by SIR and Police not only kept many illegal immigrants out but also resulted in the arrest of many immigration offenders already in Singapore. The number of immigration offenders arrested last year was 17,000. 2 Border security is very important for a safe and secure Singapore. The 2 land Checkpoints have a vital role to play in border security. The excellent co-operation between the members of the Home Team at the checkpoints has deterred many attempted illegal entry and departure.3 On 13 Mar 2000, a total of 13 immigration offenders and 2 traffickers were arrested at Woodlands ......14 March 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=4497MINISTRY OF HEALTH EMPLOYMENT PASS DEPARTMENT (MINISTRY OF MANPOWER)SINGAPORE IMMIGRATION & REGISTRATION (MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS)JOINT PRESS RELEASEMEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS OF EMPLOYMENT PASS, LONG-TERM IMMIGRATION PASS AND PERMANENT RESIDENCECurrently, applicants for work permit or for renewal of work permits are required to undergo a medical examination, which includes a general physical medical examination, a chest x-ray and a test for the AIDS-causing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).2 With effect from 1 March 2000, the medical examination requirement will be extended to foreigners who applied and obtained in-principle approval for employment passes of six months' duration or more, long-term immigration ......17 February 2000Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8693SINGAPORE IMMIGRATION & REGISTRATION NEWS RELEASEVisa Policy towards Macau SARFollowing Macau's handover to China after 19 December 1999, Singapore will continue to extend visa-free access to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Passports. Holders of MSAR Travel Permits will need to apply for a visa to enter Singapore after 19 December 1999.END OF NEWS RELEASESingapore Immigration & Registration17 December 199917 December 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8694Under the National Registration Regulations, Singapore Citizens (SCs) and Permanent Residents (PRs) who were born in 1985 are required to register for their NRICs within one year of attaining the age of 15 years in the year 2000. Those who are living outside Singapore are required to register within one year of their return to Singapore.2. The registration, staggered by birth dates, will involve an estimated 48,000 SCs and PRs born in 1985. Since January 1997, registration for NRIC has been stopped for the twelve-year-olds.Register After Receiving Notification Letters 3. SIR will be sending notification letters with appointment dates to ......16 December 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8695SINGAPORE IMMIGRATION & REGISTRATIONNEWS RELEASESINGAPORE RESTRICTED PASSPORTS(FOR TRAVEL TO PENINSULAR MALAYSIA ONLY)NO LONGER VALID AFTER 31 DEC 1999Singaporeans are reminded that all blue Singapore Restricted Passports (SRPs) - used for travel to Peninsular Malaysia only - will no longer be valid after 31 Dec 99, even if the passport shows the validity period beyond this date. 2 Singaporeans are henceforth encouraged to use their Singapore International Passport for travel to Peninsular Malaysia, as SRPs would no longer be valid after 31 Dec 99. Singaporeans who travel to Peninsular Malaysia using their SRPs before 31 Dec 99 should re-enter Singapore by ......07 December 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8696SINGAPORE IMMIGRATION & RESGISTRATIONNEWS RELEASENEW PASSPORT FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUMSIR will issue the new Singapore International Passports (SIPs) for applications received from 14 October 1999.More Security Features2 The new SIPs will take on a new look and will come with enhanced security features that make tampering and forgery very difficult. Tamper-proof digitised photo images will replace physical photographs. The particulars of the passport holder will be printed onto a special security film and then firmly bonded onto the passport. 3 Only one photograph, instead of the current three, will be required for a new passport application. The photograph should be ......01 October 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8697On 2.8.99 at about 2055 hours, SIR officers from the Enforcement Division conducted stepped-up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section. During a check, on a Malaysian registered Proton Wira no. JDG 3491, 5 Thai illegal immigrants (3 male, 2 female) were found hiding inside the crammed car boot. The Malaysian driver was arrested for abetting their illegal departure. The car was seized.2 Preliminary investigation revealed that the male Malaysian driver was offered the job to convey the 5 Thai illegal immigrants out of Singapore illegally by another Malaysian. The driver, a 29 year old Chinese, claimed that the car ......07 August 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8698The situation at the new Woodlands Checkpoint this morning has improved further. All modes of transport followed the designated routes orderly. All regular arrival buses were cleared by 7.15 am. Cars moved along the car lanes although at times intermittently. Motorcyclists were confined to their own designated lanes (including the Mini Checkpoint for motorcycles which has been used continuously since 1994).2 At the old Woodlands Checkpoint, the motorcyclists used to jump queue by swarming in and out of the traffic, causing safety concerns and congestion. The swarming of the motorcycles at the old Checkpoint prevented the free movement of cars ......22 July 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8699The new Woodlands Checkpoint was first opened to traffic on 18 Jul 99 (Sunday). 2 On the first working day (19 Jul 99), there was a flow of 118,000 travellers entering Singapore through this Checkpoint, which was more than the usual daily flow. Being the first working day since the operation, some travellers were unfamiliar with the new Checkpoint and the designated routes they should take, especially the motorcyclists. The traffic congestion was further aggravated by Singapore-bound lorry operators carrying general cargoes, who were only cleared by the Johore Customs after 6 am. 3 The situation at the Checkpoint this ......22 July 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8700The new Woodlands Checkpoint opens to traffic on 18 Jul 99 at the stroke of midnight. Built at a cost of more than $400 million and spanning a site equivalent to about 31 football fields, the new Checkpoint will cater to the growing human and vehicular traffic coming in and going out of Singapore through the Causeway while helping the authorities achieve better border security.Background2 Today, 110,000 travellers come in and leave Singapore through Woodlands. Only 37,000 travellers passed through the current checkpoint facilities when they were completed in 1977.3 Construction for the new Woodlands Checkpoint began in Aug 1996. ......10 July 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8701In April 99, CPIB and SIR received information indicating that a CISCO officer at Woodlands Checkpoint was allowing the entry of illegal immigrants entering Singapore by coaches/buses. Unlike previous known methods wherein hidden or luggage compartments were used, during these occasions, the illegal immigrants merely hid behind the seats. As coaches/buses arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint are boarded and checked by CISCO officers, there was a strong likelihood that checkpoint security might have been compromised.2. Discreet and protracted investigations were carried out to corroborate the information and to identify the extent of the security breach. SIR also enlisted the assistance of ......08 July 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8702On 2.7.99 at about 2120 hours, Immigration Officers from the Enforcement Division conducted a stepped up enforcement operation at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section. Uniformed immigration officers signaled a Malaysian registered Proton Wira no. JEV 8806, to stop for immigration checks. The officers observed that the Malaysian driver had locked the car doors immediately. Immigration officers had quickly moved in to flank the side of the car. The driver reversed his car and tried to escape apprehension. In order to prevent his escape and ensure the safety of everyone present at the scene, our officers had to use necessary force ......06 July 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8703On 1.7.99 at about 2100 hours, SIR officers from the Enforcement Division conducted stepped up operations at the Woodlands Checkpoint. During a check of a Malaysian registered Bas Kilang No. WH 6143, arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint, 20 illegal immigrants (18 male Thai nationals, 1 female Thai national and 1 male PRC national) were found hiding inside a specially constructed secret compartment located beneath the metal floorboard of the bus. The entrance to the secret compartment was concealed with a metal plate. A dummy fuel cover was also used to provide credence to the secret compartment as a possible fuel ......05 July 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8704On 2 Dec 1998, Singapore Immigration & Registration announced that restricted passports would no longer be issued from 1 Jan 1999, while valid SRPs can continue to be used till 31 Dec 1999.2 From 1 Jul 1999, SIR will compensate holders of Singapore Restricted Passports (SRPs) issued from 2 Jan 1990 up to 2 Dec 1998 with validity beyond 31 Dec 1999 for the remaining period of validity. The rebates will be offset against the Singapore International Passport (SIP) fee when holders apply for SIP.Procedure for Claim 3 Holders can claim the rebate when they apply for SIPs anytime from ......01 July 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8705In preparation for the opening of the new Woodlands Checkpoint in the 3rd quarter of this year, SIR will conduct a series of trial runs to test and refine systems to ensure smooth clearance and traffic flow when the checkpoint is operational.2 Departure trial runs will be conducted from 7 to 10 Jun 99, between 4pm to 7pm. Arrival trials will be conducted from 14 to 17 Jun 99, between 9am to 10am. On each day, one mode of transport will be tested. The trial schedule is at Annex A. During the trials, all entry and exit requirements remain unchanged. ......05 June 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8706CASE 1On 1.6.99 at about 2045 hours, Immigration Officers from the Enforcement Division conducted an operation at the Woodlands Checkpoint - Departure Section. A Malaysian registered van no. WFH 7644 was stopped and during the check, 3 male Bangladeshi illegal immigrants were found hiding in the floorboard of the van. The Malaysian driver was arrested for abetting their illegal departure. The van was seized.2 Investigation revealed that the 3 Bangladeshi illegal immigrants entered Singapore illegally by car on 28.4.99 to seek employment. They had contacted another Bangladeshi national to arrange for their illegal departure. The Malaysian abettor was in turn ......04 June 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8707From Jun 99, SIR will decentralise and extend the citizenship certificate presentation ceremonies to the Community Development Councils (CDCs). Background2 Presently, citizenship certificate presentation ceremonies are held at the SIR Auditorium on a weekly basis. At these ceremonies, new Singapore citizens would benefit from a one-stop collection of their citizenship certificates, identity cards and passports from the Guest-of-Honour. A Member of Parliament would be invited to grace the occasion. Pilot Project 3 In January 98, a pilot project on the decentralised citizenship certificate presentation ceremony was implemented for a period of 6 months. During the pilot run, a total of ......27 May 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8708On 20.5.99 at about 2055 hours, SIR officers conducted a check on a Malaysian registered Proton Putra car at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section. During the check, 3 immigration offenders (1 male Thai, 1 female Thai national and 1 Singaporean) were found hiding inside the car boot. The Malaysian driver was arrested for abetting their illegal departure. The car was seized.2 Preliminary investigation revealed that the Malaysian driver was a waiter in Johor Bahru. He was offered the job to convey the 3 immigration offenders out of Singapore illegally by a Malaysian. The Malaysian driver claimed that the car was ......23 May 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8709On 22.4.99, SIR issued a news release on an enforcement operation conducted at Woodlands Checkpoint on 20.4.99. During the check, 1 male Thai illegal immigrant who was the pillion rider of the Malaysian registered motorcycle no. JEY 156 was found to hold a Malaysian Restricted Passport and Singapore Work Permit Card. 2 The Thai illegal immigrant was sentenced to 1 month imprisonment and 4 strokes of the cane. The Malaysian trafficker was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment. 3 On 6.5.99, another Malaysian reported to SIR on the loss of his Malaysian Restricted Passport and Singapore Work Permit Card. Our records ......12 May 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8710To avoid the last minute rush before the June school holidays, Singaporeans are advised to apply for their passports early. The rush for passports before the school holidays has always resulted in large crowds of applicants congesting the passport centres at Kallang Road and Joo Chiat Complex. The number of applicants is expected to increase 2 to 3 fold and waiting in the queue to submit an application can take more than 2 hours during such time.Application and Renewal of SIP by Post2 Application for SIP can be made by post. By sending their applications through the post, the public ......10 May 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8711CASE 1On 20.4.99 at about 1740 hours, Immigration Officers conducted an enforcement operation on a Malaysian registered motorcycle no. JEY 156 at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section. During the check, 1 male Thai illegal immigrant who was the pillion rider of the motorcycle was found to hold a Malaysian Restricted Passport and Singapore Work Permit Card. The Malaysian rider was arrested for abetting his illegal departure. The motorcycle was seized.2 Investigation revealed that the Thai illegal immigrant had paid a male Chinese agent a sum of S$300/- to arrange for his illegal departure. The Malaysian abettor was in turn recruited ......23 April 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8712On 16.4.99 at about 1135 hours, Immigration Officers conducted an enforcement operation on a Malaysian registered Proton Wira no. WGG 1796 at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section. During the check, 4 male Thai illegal immigrants were found hiding inside the car boot. The Malaysian driver of the car was arrested for abetting their illegal departure. The car was seized.2 Preliminary investigation revealed that the Malaysian trafficker was a factory worker. He was offered the job to convey the 4 Thai illegal immigrants out of Singapore illegally by a Malaysian. The Malaysian driver claimed that the car was provided by this ......19 April 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8713From 15 April 99, SIR will launch its new web site to allow net users easy access to information on SIR's services. The revamped SIR web site is more informative and surfer friendly. 2 This is in line with the merger of Singapore Immigration (SI) and National Registration Department (NRD) to form Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR) on 1 April 98. SIR marked its first anniversary with the launch of its revamped Internet web site (http://www.mha.gov.sg/sir). This new site replaces the old SI and NRD homepages. It presents a fresh and friendly new look, with a layout that is reminiscent ......15 April 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8714On 8.4.99, a total of 35 CNB officers and 19 immigration officers mounted a joint operation at the uncompleted Hazel Park Condominium construction site located at Upper Bukit Timah Road. A total of 41 suspected immigration offenders and drug offenders comprising of 11 Thai females and 30 males (28 Thais and 2 PRCs) were picked up for investigation. 2 The suspected offenders were brought back to CNB office for investigation and urine test. 6 were tested positive for having consumed controlled drugs. The other 35 offenders were tested negative for drug consumption. Preliminary investigation on the 35 offenders revealed that ......09 April 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8715On 7.4.99 at about 1230 hours, Immigration Officers conducted an enforcement operation on a Malaysian registered Proton Wira no. WGF 2517 at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section. During the check, 4 Thai immigration offenders (1 male and 3 female) were found hiding inside the car boot. The Malaysian driver of the car was arrested for abetting their illegal departure. The car was seized.2 Preliminary investigation revealed that the Malaysian trafficker was a pirate taxi-driver. He was recruited by a Malaysian to convey the 4 Thai immigration offenders (2 illegal immigrants and 2 overstayers) out of Singapore illegally by car. The ......08 April 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8716From 1 April 99, SIR will implement a new method of obliterating the old address on the Singapore NRIC. 2 Presently, when a Singapore NRIC holder reports a change of address, the registration officer at the reporting centre will paste on the NRIC a self-adhesive address label carrying the new address. However, this can be subject to abuse. Some Singapore NRIC holders have torn off the new address label so as to deceive others into thinking that they were living at their previous address.3 With effect from 1 April 99, the registration officer will, before pasting on the new address ......01 April 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8717On 24.3.99 at about 0730 hours, a party of immigration officers conducted an enforcement operation at River Valley Road. During the check, 1 male Myanmar syndicate mastermind, 2 male Myanmar syndicate runners and 5 Myanmar immigration offenders were arrested. 2 Preliminary investigation revealed that the Myanmar syndicate mastermind was involved in the forgery of Singapore immigration endorsements and cards (Student's Pass cards, Work Permit cards, Dependant's Pass cards, Employment Pass cards). He had bought the forged rubber stamps from another Myanmar illegal immigrant for S$45/- to S$75/- each. As for the forged immigration cards, the syndicate mastermind had bought them ......01 April 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8718Minors who are Singapore Citizens by descent or registration are reminded to take the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty within 12 months after reaching the age of 21 years (i.e. between their 21st and 22nd birthdays).2 Minors who are in Singapore may take the Oath at the Citizen Services Centre (Citizenship) at SIR Building, 6th Storey, 10 Kallang Road (next to Lavender MRT Station), between 8.30 am to 5.00 pm from Mondays to Fridays and 8.30 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays.3 For those minors who are overseas, they may take the Oath at the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission. ......31 March 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8719From 1 Apr 99, the waiting period for permanent residents to qualify for Singapore Citizenship will be reduced from the current 2 ? 10 years to 2 ? 6 years. 2 The average processing time for SC applications will also be reduced from the current 6 ? 10 months to 3 ? 6 months. 3 Singaporean women can sponsor their PR husbands for SC if the family has the means to support itself and the husbands have been PRs for at least 2 years. 4 These changes should make it more attractive for talented foreigners to come here. They will ......31 March 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8720All Long-Term Pass (LTP) holders who are frequent travellers will be eligible to apply for Immigration Automated Clearance System (IACS) Cards from 1 March 99.IACS at Changi Airport2 SIR launches the IACS at Changi Airport on 15 December 97. Initially, the IACS was opened to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who are frequent air travellers. The group of cardholders liked the self-service concept and the performance of the automated lanes. Due to such favourable feedback, we extended IACS to Employment Pass holders to enjoy the smooth and convenient automated immigration clearance. As at December 1998, almost 6,000 frequent air travellers ......01 March 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8721To avoid the last minute rush before the March school holidays, Singaporeans are advised to apply for their passports early. The rush for passports before the school holidays has always resulted in large crowds of applicants congesting the passport centres at Kallang Road and Joo Chiat Complex. The number of applicants is expected to increase 2 to 3 fold and waiting in the queue to submit an application can take more than 2 hours during such time.Application and Renewal of SIP by Post2 Application for SIP can be made by post. By sending their applications through the post, the public ......01 March 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8722On 11.2.99 at about 0900 hours, SIR officers conducted a check on a Malaysian registered Daihatsu lorry no. JES 9857 arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint. During the check, 15 illegal immigrants (6 Bangladesh nationals, 5 PRC nationals, 3 Indian nationals, 1 Myanmar national) were found hiding between two large wooden cupboards. All of these illegal immigrants were huddled together and covered with a canvas sheet. The Malaysian driver of the lorry was arrested for trafficking. The lorry was seized.2 Preliminary investigation revealed that the Malaysian trafficker was an ex-Work Permit holder. The driver was recruited by a Malaysian to bring ......14 February 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8723On 18.1.99 at about 2045 hours, an Immigration Officer conducted a check on a Malaysian registered Pajero jeep no. WCK 9928 at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section. During the check, 3 immigration offenders ( 2 males and 1 female) who are Thai nationals were found hiding on the floorboard between the last row of the passenger seats and the hatch door covered with a blanket. The Malaysian driver of the jeep was arrested for trafficking. The jeep was seized.2 Investigation revealed that the Malaysian trafficker was recruited by a Malaysian known as 'Ah Heng' to convey the 3 immigration offenders ......24 January 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=8724A Malaysian was charged in court yesterday for abetting the illegal departure of 3 Thai illegal immigrants out of Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint on 7.6.98. The 3 foreigners whom he conveyed were also charged.2 Investigation revealed that Fan Kah Heng, a 25-year old Malaysian was recruited by one Malaysian named 'Ah Man' in Malaysia to convey the 3 Thai nationals, Saifon Yukathod (F/19.9.72), Montha Puangsaeng (F/16.4.80) and Katsaeng Thaseena (M/7.1.66), illegally out of Singapore. Fan was promised $80/- ringgit for each of the Thai national he conveyed out of Singapore. On 7.6.98, Fan drove into Singapore in a Malaysian-registered car. ......08 January 1999Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=10101Currently, foreigners need a Professional Visit Pass (PVP) to undertake short-term professional assignments in Singapore.2 As part of Singapore's effort to be a centre for business and culture, Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR)will liberalise the PVP scheme to facilitate the entry of foreign professionals into Singapore for short-term work. With effect from 1 Jan 99, PVP will no longer be required for foreigners on short-term assignements, except for the following:a) Foreigners who enter Singapore to conduct or participate in conferences, seminars, workshops or gatherings of a racial/communal, religious, cause-related or political nature, including those held on a commercial basis;b) Foreign ......31 December 1998Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=10102Further to our press release on 2 Dec 98, we would like to remind Singapore citizens that Singapore Restricted Passports (SRPs) will no longer be issued from 1 Jan 1999. This is in line with the new Automated Passport Production System (APPS) for international passports which will be introduced in Sep 99. However, restricted passports already issued may be used until 31 Dec 1999. SIR will be giving a rebate for SRPs which are valid beyond 31 Dec 99. Details of the rebate system will be announced later.2 Singaporeans may apply for a Singapore International Passport (SIP) to facilitate their ......31 December 1998Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=10103From 2 Jan, PR applications will be assessed using a Points System. Points will be allocated on the basis of the following factors:a. Type of work passb. Duration of stay in Singaporec. Academic qualificationd. Basic monthly salarye. Agef. Kinship ties in Singapore2 Points Systems are used widely in many countries in administering their naturalisation policy. One advantage of the new system is that it provides a more comprehensive picture of the application, allowing particular strengths such as good employment track record to make up for, say, absence of kinship ties in Singapore.3 In addition, the type of work pass held ......31 December 1998Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=10104On 25.12.98 at about 2110 hours, SIR officers conducted a check on a Malaysian registered van no. MAJ 9695 at the Woodlands Checkpoint Departure Section. During the check, 3 illegal immigrants ( 2 Myannese and 1 Thai ) and 2 overstayers ( 1 Thai and 1 Bangladeshi ) were found hiding underneath the seats covered with rubber floor mat. The Malaysian driver of the van and his Malaysian assistant were arrested for trafficking. The van was seized.2 Preliminary investigation revealed that the Malaysian traffickers were jobless in Malaysia and in need of money. They were recruited by a Malaysian in ......28 December 1998Case Detected at Checkpoints http://app-stg3.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=10105Automated Passport Production SystemIn line with PS21 initiatives, SIR constantly explores the use of advanced technology to streamline and improve its work processes, so as to serve the public better. With effect from Sep 1999, SIR will automate the production of its new Singapore International Passports. This will enable Singapore citizens to collect their new international passport within 3 working days upon application, compared to the current 7 working days.2 The new international passport will also have enhanced security features. For example, tamper-proof photo-images will replace physical photographs. Particulars of the passport holder will be transmitted electronically and printed onto ......02 December 1998Case Detected at Checkpoints