Singapore Customs
All treated equally: ICA

Today
22 Oct 2009

Letter from Chia Hui Keng
Head, Public and Internal Communications
Branch, Corporate Communications Division,
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA)

WE REFER to “Chagrin at the Second Link” (Oct15) by Ms Rachelle Tea. The ICA has looked into the matter. There are several inaccuracies in the letter which the ICA would like to correct so readers do not form the wrong opinion.

Ms Tea mentioned she had queued up for a temperature scan at Tuas Checkpoint on Oct 7 at about 6.30am. We are puzzled by this as temperature screening, implemented at land checkpoints in May in response to the H1N1 pandemic, ceased in July.

Ms Tea also mentioned the officer conducting the routine check had “unbuttoned her shirt till above the waist level” in full public view. This account is grossly inaccurate. Our records show Ms Tea had triggered the alarm while walking through the metal detector. The female officer requested Ms Tea to stand aside. Using a handheld metal detector the officer then conducted further checks on her. It was during this check that the officer had lifted her untucked shirt slightly to scan around the waist.

It is common for travellers who wear belts with metallic buckles or have metallic items in their pockets to trigger the alarm. On the other hand, there have also been cases where travellers were detected trying to smuggle small weapons like knives, handcuffs and even bullets in the shape of amulets.

All travellers are treated equally in the course of security checks. Our officers are also mindful of the proper procedures when conducting such checks on travellers and in cases when detailed checks are required, the travelers will be escorted into an office, away from public view. We are satisfied that the officer who conducted the check on Ms Tea carried out her duties professionally.

We are glad Ms Tea sees ICA officers as frontline ambassadors. This is why we have impressed upon our officers to be polite and professional in the course of their duties. We would also like to seek the understanding and cooperation of travelers when undergoing such checks. Together, we can keep Singapore safe and secure.


Chagrin at the Second Link ; Officers were rude and made me unbutton shirt in full view of public

Today
15 Oct 2009

Letter from Rachelle Tea


FOUND myself humiliated when I went through the Tuas checkpoint last Wednesday at about 6.30am.

I noted that the officer on duty had spoken very rudely to every passing traveller. As I queued up for the temperature scan, she called me to stand before her and said very loudly: “Please look at me!” I looked at her, thinking she was very rude and impatient. When she saw this, she frowned and yelled: “Why you fierce to me!” (sic)

Next, as part of the routine search, she unbuttoned my shirt until above the waist level — in front of everyone else. Is this the correct way to perform such a screening? If there was some suspicion, why not conduct a full body check behind closed doors? I was embarrassed and insulted by the actions of the officer.

After the check, she said: “You’d better be careful as you come to Singapore every day!”

I hope the Customs authorities can investigate this matter and explain why an officer was so rude while per- forming her duties.

Immigration officers, as the first ambassadors to the country visitors meet when arriving in Singapore, should be more aware of how they speak and act.