ICA’s reply to Oriental Daily News

4 June 2014

 

 

Dear Mr Ding,

 

            I refer to the Oriental Daily News article titled “睡不好遭刁难  新国马劳辛酸” on 26 May 2014 (writer unnamed).

 
2.         The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) has been working closely with the Immigration Department of Malaysia to alleviate congestion at the land checkpoints.  Both sides also cooperate closely for checks on travel documents and contraband items in order to safeguard security in both countries.

 
3.         Measures to alleviate congestion include providing more automated facilities for passport clearance by motorcycle and bus travellers. As an example, about 30% of motorcycle travellers use the automated immigration clearance today at Woodlands Checkpoint. By mid-2014, 95% of motorcycle travellers will be eligible for automated clearance and this will reduce the queues for motorcycles. Other measures include opening 24 additional counters at the old Woodlands Checkpoint for motorcycles and goods vehicles. Additional car counters are also opened during peak periods whenever appropriate. 

 
4.         However, ICA may step up screening measures at our checkpoints during operations against attempted contraband smuggling into Singapore, or travellers without valid travel documents. We hope that travellers will understand that these stringent checks are necessary for safety and security reasons, including that of the travellers themselves. Travellers should follow the directions of officers at the Checkpoints to facilitate clearance of everyone as speedily as possible in a fair and orderly way.

 
5.         ICA has stringent measures to monitor officers’ performance, including CCTV monitoring and travellers’ feedback systems. It adheres to a strict no-discrimination policy in the treatment of travellers, regardless of nationalities.  Your article has made serious allegations of unprofessional conduct by our officers.  ICA takes a serious view of such allegations.  We would like to request for specific information from your paper or the persons mentioned in the report so that we can carry out a thorough investigation into the allegations. ICA’s contact details are [email protected] or alternatively we can be reached on our hotline at +65-63916100. 

 

6.         We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation. Please publish this reply in full to keep your readers informed.  Thank you.

 

 
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore

 

<Original Article>

 
Oriental Daily News

26 May 2014

 

睡不好遭刁难　新国马劳辛酸

（新山25日讯）越堤赚新元的大马客工长期面对睡眠不足、塞车及健康问题，通关时还需面对新加坡移民局官员的诸多刁难，武吉英达人民社警协会主席叶一德发动万人签名运动，盼首相拿督斯里纳吉介入解决问题，同时希望新国官员改善工作態度，善待马来西亚员工。

自发生擅闯新加坡兀兰关事件之后，大马客工申诉，新国移民局官员在进行检查时，诸多刁难，拖延通关时间，加剧塞车情况，特別是摩哆车道的阻塞问题，更是让他们苦不堪言。

叶一德指出，自从今年闯关事件发生后的2个月以来，新加坡的柔佛长堤与第二通道关卡服务柜檯並未全面服务，仅开放60至70个当中的85％。

发动签名运动

由于上述问题牵涉新加坡政府机构，人民无力处理。叶一德因此发动签名运动，收集3万名在新加坡工作的我国公民签名，连同备忘录呈交给首相署，希望首相介入解决国人的问题。

「我们將到关卡、通过网络管道及人传人的方式，收集签名，预计將耗时1个月完成。」

叶一德在今日连同数名骑摩哆越堤工作的大马客工，一同召开新闻发佈会，反映上述问题。

他透露，目前摩哆车道的塞车情况严重，以前来回只需1小时30分钟，现在单程最快也要1小时30分，来回需要约4小时左右。

「最近也有不少民眾表示，近2个月有咳嗽与生病，因为骑摩哆的大马客工在漫长的塞车时间会吸入更多废气，进而影响他们的健康。」

他直言，有些官员在执行任务时態度不友善，甚至扣押我国人民的护照。民眾曾投诉若在下雨天鸣笛，官员会没收其护照，指示他们重新排队。

无礼丟回护照

他透露，本身在近期收到约千多宗有关官员无礼对待的投诉，同时呼吁曾发生类似遭遇的民眾可拨打其手机號码017-7143310，向他投诉。

此外，不少客工向媒体申诉新加坡关卡移民局官员的无礼行为，包括不礼貌的护照丟回给他们、工作时用手机等。

名客工陈行耀（44岁，技术人员）透露，遇到严重塞车的时候，有时负责摩哆车道的飞鹰保安合作机构（Aetos）人员会发脾气丟栏杆，听闻有摩哆骑士还因此受伤。

询及是否曾就官员无礼態度进行投诉，他表示，碍于担心护照被没收，因此並没有前往投诉官员的无礼行为。

同样在新加坡工作的陈康睿（38岁，技术人员）形容，前往新加坡工作犹如在战场上打战，每天需要面对不少的精神压力。

凌晨3时出门　关卡堵塞老板扣薪水

越堤赚新元的代价谁人知！武吉英达人民社警协会主席叶一德透露，在近期关卡塞车情况日益严重的情况下，有雇主提出不合理要求，希望居住在马来西亚的员工更早出门上班。

过去2个月的塞车情况，让客工叫苦连天，为了避开塞车时段，不少越堤上班的民眾已提早30分钟至一小时出门，有者更是在凌晨3时便出门上班。

叶一德反映，一些老板在此问题上並不体恤员工，发表风凉话要求他们早些出门，甚至扣除员工的薪水，他认为此做法並不合理。

他指出，根据资料显示，每日约有5万5000辆摩哆通过柔佛长堤到新加坡工作，第二通道则有1万5000辆，这数目庞大的人力资源为马新两国带来不同程度的利益。

只好工厂睡觉

越堤工作的张延清（38岁，海事工程师）透露，当他迟到时，老板会说一些难听的话，例如要求他提早1小时或30分钟。

「下班后，我选择在工厂的办公桌上睡觉，2至3天才回一次新山住所，甚至为了避开塞车，晚上9时左右就会进新加坡，爭取更多的休息时间。」