The Straits Times
24 March 2017

ICA has pre-screening measures in place

We thank Mr Tan Soon Hock for his letter (Why is pre-arrival screening still not implemented here? March 19).

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has pre-screening measures in place.

This is currently done for selected inbound vessels and aircraft. However, we are enhancing our systems to allow us to pre-screen all arriving and departing passengers at our air and sea ports.


Serene Wong (Ms)
Head
Public & Internal Communications
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority


<Original letter>

The Straits Times
19 March 2017

Why is pre-arrival screening still not implemented here?

It was reported that travellers flying to Singapore will eventually be screened even before they land (Multiple biometric checks at Cha3ngi Airport T4; March 12).

Following the Sept 11, 2001 attacks in New York, many countries have mandated that airlines provide information on their passengers and crew via the Advance Passenger Information System (Apis), so pre-arrival screening can be done.

Apis has been in effect for nearly 10 years.

Given the repeated warnings that terrorists will try to carry out an attack on Singapore soil, why is Apis screening still not carried out here?

Tan Soon Hock