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Response to “Should children be checked thoroughly” (Berita Harian, 7 Oct 2009)
Security checks apply to all
Berita Harian
20 Oct 2009
We refer to Mr Azlan Kamin's letter "Wajarkah kanak-kanak diperiksa rapi?" ("Should children be checked thoroughly") published on 7 October 2009.
2 The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has looked into the matter. We empathised with Mr Azlan over his concerns for his young children who experienced the checks at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 19 September 2009. Mr Azlan asked if it is necessary to subject children to security checks. The ICA wishes to explain that all travellers are subjected to the same security regime at our checkpoints and are treated equally in the course of security checks. Such security checks are necessary and important to ensure that undesirables, be it people, goods or conveyances, do not slip through our border checkpoints. It is not uncommon for ICA to conduct checks on children as syndicates have been known to use children as decoy to smuggle drugs and other prohibited items into the Republic.
3 Our officers had directed Mr Azlan's car for further checks at a designated area to prevent causing obstruction to other oncoming vehicles. Prior to conducting the checks, our officers had explained to Mr Azlan on the need to carry out the checks and how the searches would be done on all the passengers and the vehicle including the children. The officer then led Mr Azlan's children to the front of the vehicle and tapped lightly on both sides of their pockets in the presence of their father. Our officers are mindful of their conduct and actions so as not to cause undue alarm or distress to the young ones. We had affirmed that the officers who had conducted the checks on Mr Azlan and his family, had performed their duties professionally.
4 We would like to thank Mr Azlan for his feedback. We regret that Mr Azlan's children had found the experience unpleasant and we hope he can explain to them the need for ICA to carry out its duties in ensuring the safety and security of the nation. ICA will also be happy to explain this to Mr Azlan's children in person. We would like to invite Mr Azlan to contact our Senior Customer Relations Executive, DSP Shamrudy Abdul Kader, at 6391 6569 or 6391 6186 if he wish to follow up on this or if he has any further clarifications on this issue.
Yours sincerely,
Chia Hui Keng (Ms)
Head, Public & Internal Communications Branch
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Should children be checked thoroughly?
Berita Harian
7 Oct 2009
I would like to share my unpleasant experience on 19 September returning home from Johor Bahru.
My wife, two children, sister-in-law and I were there to attend a breakfast gathering at a hotel.
After breakfast and prayers, we went shopping for cookies and household products.
We reached the customs counter at around 12.15 am and proceeded to leave the checkpoint after clearance.
Suddenly we were stopped by a security officer who instructed me to surrender my passport and requested me to drive to a special area.
All my passengers were told to step out for inspection. Our vehicle was thoroughly checked as well.
My wife and sister-in-law were instructed to surrender their handbags while my two sons aged seven and nine and I were told to remain calm. We were subsequently searched by the officers.
I was shocked and puzzled as to why they wanted to search the young children? As a result, my younger son began shivering and turned pale because he was afraid despite the officer’s attempts to pacify him.
I enquired why we were being checked, and the repeated answer was, “This is an order”.
I then highlighted that young children should not be treated that way and the officer just remained silent.
My questions are, is it necessary and appropriate for young children to be checked? What are the guidelines or reasons for the authorities to conduct a thorough check on drivers at a special area?
I hope that the authorities are able to explain the matter because my children are traumatised by the experience.
Azlan Kamin (Mr)
Berita Harian
20 Oct 2009
We refer to Mr Azlan Kamin's letter "Wajarkah kanak-kanak diperiksa rapi?" ("Should children be checked thoroughly") published on 7 October 2009.
2 The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has looked into the matter. We empathised with Mr Azlan over his concerns for his young children who experienced the checks at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 19 September 2009. Mr Azlan asked if it is necessary to subject children to security checks. The ICA wishes to explain that all travellers are subjected to the same security regime at our checkpoints and are treated equally in the course of security checks. Such security checks are necessary and important to ensure that undesirables, be it people, goods or conveyances, do not slip through our border checkpoints. It is not uncommon for ICA to conduct checks on children as syndicates have been known to use children as decoy to smuggle drugs and other prohibited items into the Republic.
3 Our officers had directed Mr Azlan's car for further checks at a designated area to prevent causing obstruction to other oncoming vehicles. Prior to conducting the checks, our officers had explained to Mr Azlan on the need to carry out the checks and how the searches would be done on all the passengers and the vehicle including the children. The officer then led Mr Azlan's children to the front of the vehicle and tapped lightly on both sides of their pockets in the presence of their father. Our officers are mindful of their conduct and actions so as not to cause undue alarm or distress to the young ones. We had affirmed that the officers who had conducted the checks on Mr Azlan and his family, had performed their duties professionally.
4 We would like to thank Mr Azlan for his feedback. We regret that Mr Azlan's children had found the experience unpleasant and we hope he can explain to them the need for ICA to carry out its duties in ensuring the safety and security of the nation. ICA will also be happy to explain this to Mr Azlan's children in person. We would like to invite Mr Azlan to contact our Senior Customer Relations Executive, DSP Shamrudy Abdul Kader, at 6391 6569 or 6391 6186 if he wish to follow up on this or if he has any further clarifications on this issue.
Yours sincerely,
Chia Hui Keng (Ms)
Head, Public & Internal Communications Branch
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Should children be checked thoroughly?
Berita Harian
7 Oct 2009
I would like to share my unpleasant experience on 19 September returning home from Johor Bahru.
My wife, two children, sister-in-law and I were there to attend a breakfast gathering at a hotel.
After breakfast and prayers, we went shopping for cookies and household products.
We reached the customs counter at around 12.15 am and proceeded to leave the checkpoint after clearance.
Suddenly we were stopped by a security officer who instructed me to surrender my passport and requested me to drive to a special area.
All my passengers were told to step out for inspection. Our vehicle was thoroughly checked as well.
My wife and sister-in-law were instructed to surrender their handbags while my two sons aged seven and nine and I were told to remain calm. We were subsequently searched by the officers.
I was shocked and puzzled as to why they wanted to search the young children? As a result, my younger son began shivering and turned pale because he was afraid despite the officer’s attempts to pacify him.
I enquired why we were being checked, and the repeated answer was, “This is an order”.
I then highlighted that young children should not be treated that way and the officer just remained silent.
My questions are, is it necessary and appropriate for young children to be checked? What are the guidelines or reasons for the authorities to conduct a thorough check on drivers at a special area?
I hope that the authorities are able to explain the matter because my children are traumatised by the experience.
Azlan Kamin (Mr)