ICA will continue to explore biometric tech
1 August 2008
MyPaper 
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited. All Rights Reserved

I REFER to Mr Nathan Perumal’s letter “Use biometrics to cut traffic jams” (my paper, July 21).

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) closely monitors the traffic situation at land checkpoints. During periods when traffic is particularly heavy, we would deploy more man- power to clear the traffic.

We agree with Mr Perumal that biometric technologies can help to speed up screening at checkpoints.

ICA is one of the first immigration authorities in the world to implement a biometric system for efficient and secure immigration clearance.

Currently, the automated systems deployed at the checkpoints, which make use of biometric identifi- cation technology, are the enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS) and the Biometric Identification of Motorbikers System.

Both systems scan and verify the user’s fingerprint and machine-readable passport (or IACS card for eIACS users) before allowing the user to pass through the automated lanes within 16 seconds.
ICA will continue to explore how biometric tech- nology can help to provide swift and secure immigration clearance at the checkpoints.

Ms Lim Jing Jing
Deputy Head
Public & Internal Communications
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority


USE BIOMETRICS TO CUT TRAFFIC JAMS
21 July 2008
MyPaper
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited. All Rights Reserved


THE traffic jams at the Causeway are getting worse.

The authorities could, perhaps, adopt a biometric screening system to speed up the checks. They could also open more counters earlier to clear the queues, especially those for motor- cycles.
Mr Nathan Perumal

RESULTS ARE NOT FAIR IF NOT SEEN

THERE are many contests out there and most of the time, the participants do not even see the results.

How can the authorities ensure transparency and fairness in the picking of winners in such contests?

One good example is the Sheng Siong TV show in which winners of lucky draws are drawn in front of an audience.

Mr Steven Wong Fook Kong