By MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim
[Delivered in Committee of Supply on 5 March 2015]
Many Singaporeans use the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas frequently, whether to go for short leisure trips or to buy cheaper pharmaceutical drugs. At Woodlands checkpoint in particular, the government has indicated that 300,000 persons and 130,000 vehicles pass through each day. It is a very challenging operational task to co-ordinate the roles and responsibilities of the various agencies responsible for checkpoint security viz. the ICA, Police, Customs, Central Narcotics Bureau, Land Transport Authority and the Auxiliary Police.
We do not know how many unauthorised entries of persons into Singapore have taken place. Even though the government indicated that there had been about 25 cases in the three years up to 2013, and we know of the highly-publicised breaches in 2014, we do not know how many intrusions were undetected.
It was announced in April 2014 that a Ministerial level Committee was commissioned to comprehensively review the security measures at the checkpoints and identify any systemic issues and rectify them. I have not read any statement issued publicly about what the Committee has found or recommended. However, I note from this year’s Budget Book that MHA’s operating expenditure under its Immigration and Checkpoint Control Programme shows an increase of 6.5% mainly due to enhancement of security measures at Checkpoints. May I ask if MHA can share any decisions or interim findings on the matter?