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Response to " Causeway jam 'Instead of directing the car to pull aside, ICA officers simply let it stay in the lane.' " (The Straits Times, 24 Nov 2011)
The Straits Times
2 Dec 2011
ICA explains why car wasn't directed to pull aside
WE APPRECIATE that Mr Andrew Tan understands the need for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to conduct necessary security checks to ensure that undesirables, be it people, goods or conveyances, do not slip through our checkpoints ('Causeway jam: Instead of directing the car to pull aside, ICA officers simply let it stay in the lane.'; Nov 24).
During the time Mr Tan was in the queue, traffic conditions were heavy, and a car that was several vehicles ahead required further checks.
For security reasons, the car and its occupants were kept under close watch until reinforcements arrived to escort them to another secure area for thorough inspection.
From our records, the entire process from the time the vehicle ahead was found to require further checks to the time Mr Tan's car left the immigration counter took 30 minutes and not one hour as mentioned by Mr Tan.
We seek Mr Tan's understanding and patience in this matter and would like to assure readers that ICA remains committed to service excellence without compromising on security.
Koh Wee Sing
Head, Public & Internal Communications
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
<Original Letter>
The Straits Times
24 Nov 2011
Causeway jam
'Instead of directing the car to pull aside, ICA officers simply let it stay in the lane.'
MR ANDREW TAN: 'On Monday, at Woodlands checkpoint driving into Singapore, a car in front of us took about an hour to be cleared. We understand such measures are necessary for security reasons, but instead of directing the car to pull aside, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers simply let it stay in the lane. This caused a massive traffic queue behind. Furthermore, they did not allow us to change to a different lane, stating that it would be unfair to the other cars. Is it fair for the cars waiting aimlessly in our lane? I felt that this situation could have been better handled.'
2 Dec 2011
ICA explains why car wasn't directed to pull aside
WE APPRECIATE that Mr Andrew Tan understands the need for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to conduct necessary security checks to ensure that undesirables, be it people, goods or conveyances, do not slip through our checkpoints ('Causeway jam: Instead of directing the car to pull aside, ICA officers simply let it stay in the lane.'; Nov 24).
During the time Mr Tan was in the queue, traffic conditions were heavy, and a car that was several vehicles ahead required further checks.
For security reasons, the car and its occupants were kept under close watch until reinforcements arrived to escort them to another secure area for thorough inspection.
From our records, the entire process from the time the vehicle ahead was found to require further checks to the time Mr Tan's car left the immigration counter took 30 minutes and not one hour as mentioned by Mr Tan.
We seek Mr Tan's understanding and patience in this matter and would like to assure readers that ICA remains committed to service excellence without compromising on security.
Koh Wee Sing
Head, Public & Internal Communications
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
<Original Letter>
The Straits Times
24 Nov 2011
Causeway jam
'Instead of directing the car to pull aside, ICA officers simply let it stay in the lane.'
MR ANDREW TAN: 'On Monday, at Woodlands checkpoint driving into Singapore, a car in front of us took about an hour to be cleared. We understand such measures are necessary for security reasons, but instead of directing the car to pull aside, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers simply let it stay in the lane. This caused a massive traffic queue behind. Furthermore, they did not allow us to change to a different lane, stating that it would be unfair to the other cars. Is it fair for the cars waiting aimlessly in our lane? I felt that this situation could have been better handled.'