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Response to "Not the way to be treated, ICA" (Today, 8 Oct 2011)
Today
17 Oct 2011
Border security can't be taken lightly
Letter from Koh Wee Sing Head, Public & Internal Communications, Corporate Communications Division, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
WE REFER to Ms Li Minwen's letter "Not the way to be treated, ICA" (Oct 8). She had presented a passport not belonging to her for immigration clearance when she attempted to depart Singapore on Oct 2.
As part of our security measures, our officers investigated and verified her identity before she was allowed to turn back into Singapore.
The entire process was handled professionally and took 45 minutes and not 90 minutes as claimed by Ms Li.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority is Singapore's lead agency in border security, and our checkpoints play a crucial part in ensuring Singapore's safety.
We thank Mr Arthur Lim for expressing his appreciation for the important work of our checkpoint officers, in his letter "ICA officers had priorities right, on vigilance" (Oct 11).
ICA would like to remind travellers to ensure that they are carrying their own passports before presenting themselves for immigration clearance.
<Original Letters>
Today
8 Oct 2011
Not the way to be treated, ICA
Letter from Christine Li Minwen
LAST Sunday, my husband and I wanted to take a day trip to Johor Baru, but as we left in a hurry, my husband took our son's passport instead of mine.
I realised the mistake when I handed the passports to the officer at Woodlands Checkpoint.
I immediately apologised and asked for permission to turn back.
I also presented my National Registration Identity Card at the immigration office and told the duty officer it was our oversight.
To our horror, we were not allowed to leave for nearly 90 minutes, with no explanation given.
I was so anxious that I felt like I was a criminal.
My husband asked if he could return with my passport but to no avail.
I understand that border checks should not be compromised, but the way the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officer handled the situation could have been more professional, instead of being somewhat spiteful.
This lack of basic courtesy is regrettable, in a front-line Civil Service job dealing with thousands of people, both locals and foreigners, every day.
Today
11 Oct 2011
ICA officers had priorities right, on vigilance
Letter from Arthur Lim
I REFER to the letter "Not the way to be treated, ICA" (Oct 8).
While the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority may deal with thousands of people at the border every day, its officers' primary responsibility is to maintain a high state of alertness.
While the letter said the ICA officer lacked "basic courtesy", the fact is the couple involved made an error, regardless of the magnitude. Not adhering to one's wishes does not constitute a lack of courtesy.
Our ICA or uniformed personnel are more professional than their counterparts in many countries I have visited. Just as the word "discrimination" should not be used lightly, "courtesy" should not be a platform for appeasement when an error is made.
17 Oct 2011
Border security can't be taken lightly
Letter from Koh Wee Sing Head, Public & Internal Communications, Corporate Communications Division, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
WE REFER to Ms Li Minwen's letter "Not the way to be treated, ICA" (Oct 8). She had presented a passport not belonging to her for immigration clearance when she attempted to depart Singapore on Oct 2.
As part of our security measures, our officers investigated and verified her identity before she was allowed to turn back into Singapore.
The entire process was handled professionally and took 45 minutes and not 90 minutes as claimed by Ms Li.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority is Singapore's lead agency in border security, and our checkpoints play a crucial part in ensuring Singapore's safety.
We thank Mr Arthur Lim for expressing his appreciation for the important work of our checkpoint officers, in his letter "ICA officers had priorities right, on vigilance" (Oct 11).
ICA would like to remind travellers to ensure that they are carrying their own passports before presenting themselves for immigration clearance.
<Original Letters>
Today
8 Oct 2011
Not the way to be treated, ICA
Letter from Christine Li Minwen
LAST Sunday, my husband and I wanted to take a day trip to Johor Baru, but as we left in a hurry, my husband took our son's passport instead of mine.
I realised the mistake when I handed the passports to the officer at Woodlands Checkpoint.
I immediately apologised and asked for permission to turn back.
I also presented my National Registration Identity Card at the immigration office and told the duty officer it was our oversight.
To our horror, we were not allowed to leave for nearly 90 minutes, with no explanation given.
I was so anxious that I felt like I was a criminal.
My husband asked if he could return with my passport but to no avail.
I understand that border checks should not be compromised, but the way the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officer handled the situation could have been more professional, instead of being somewhat spiteful.
This lack of basic courtesy is regrettable, in a front-line Civil Service job dealing with thousands of people, both locals and foreigners, every day.
Today
11 Oct 2011
ICA officers had priorities right, on vigilance
Letter from Arthur Lim
I REFER to the letter "Not the way to be treated, ICA" (Oct 8).
While the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority may deal with thousands of people at the border every day, its officers' primary responsibility is to maintain a high state of alertness.
While the letter said the ICA officer lacked "basic courtesy", the fact is the couple involved made an error, regardless of the magnitude. Not adhering to one's wishes does not constitute a lack of courtesy.
Our ICA or uniformed personnel are more professional than their counterparts in many countries I have visited. Just as the word "discrimination" should not be used lightly, "courtesy" should not be a platform for appeasement when an error is made.