Known for their great vocals, mata putehs (also known as Oriental White-eye) have been living under the attention of many bird lovers. However, when trapped and forced to be silent, these birds got angry and made their stand.

2.         On 17 September 2013 at about 8:40pm, a Singapore-registered car was stopped for routine checks upon arrival at Tuas Checkpoint. The car was driven by a male Singaporean, accompanied by three other Singaporeans.

3.         During the course of inspection, the vigilant ICA officers noticed that three toothpaste boxes inside the centre arm rest console of the car were moving and heard flapping sounds. It aroused their suspicions and they immediately proceeded to conduct further checks.

4.         The ICA officers found another three similar toothpaste boxes, two of them inside a passenger’s waist pouch and the remaining one in a sling bag. A mata puteh was found in each of the 6 boxes. The subjects and the exhibits were referred to AVA for further investigations.

  

    

    

   

 

    
Toothpaste boxes containing mata putehs found in the car, pouch and sling bag 

 

 

 

 

5.         The ICA and AVA would like to remind travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit. The importation of any animals or live birds without an AVA permit is a violation of the Animals and Birds Act, which carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.

 6.         Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The security checks are critical to our nation’s security.  We will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands. In view of the potential danger of introducing infectious animal diseases into Singapore, we would like to advise the public against the smuggling of animals, animal products, meat and meat products into Singapore.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY

19 SEPTEMBER 2013