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Response to "'143 million... Can that be correct?'" (Straits Times, 19 July 2008)
143 million figure covers all travellers
26 July 2008
Straits Times
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
I REFER to Mr Steve Lovatos' letter last Saturday, '143 million... Can that be correct?'.
Mr Lovatos sought clarification on Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) statistics of the 143 million travellers who had passed through Singapore's checkpoints last year.
We believe he may have been referring to the number of visitor arrivals obtained from Singapore Tourism Board visitor arrival statistics. However, these statistics refer only to non-Malaysian social visitors and Malaysian social visitors who arrive by air and sea.
ICA statistics of the 143 million travellers, on the other hand, refer to the total number of travellers who were cleared through immigration at Singapore's air, land and sea checkpoints last year. This figure comprises total arrivals and departures of all types of travellers, including Singapore citizens, permanent residents and foreign visitors.
Eunice Chu (Ms) Deputy Director, Corporate Communications Division Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
'143 million... Can that be correct?'
19 July 2008
Straits Times
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
MR STEVE LOVATO: 'Ms Eunice Chu of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority stated that 143 million travellers passed through Singapore's checkpoints last year ('Here's the magnitude of checkpoint security', July 10). If true, that would mean that nearly 400,000 people cross into and out of Singapore each day. Can that be correct? Singapore reports 10 or 12 million arrivals a year. Assuming they also leave Singapore, that would double the total of passport checks to 20 to 24 million a year. Thus that would leave the balance of about 120 million Singapore travellers going through the checkpoints a year or about 25 trips for every citizen and resident of Singapore a year. Perhaps Ms Chu could shed more light on the numbers.'
'Many used to say how inefficient the Malaysians were. The situation has reversed.'
MR TAN KAH HONG: 'Like many golfers, after a week of work I look forward to a relaxing weekend golf across the Causeway. The high cost of green fees and membership fees locally leaves us with no choice but to play elsewhere. Thousands like me make the trip, so one can imagine the wasted hours waiting in the current gridlock at the Causeway. I understand security is the main concern, but more can be done to improve the situation. Or are we to expect this to continue indefinitely? The infrastructure is impressive, but the process leaves much to be desired. Many years ago, the queue was at the Malaysian half and many motorists used to say how inefficient the Malaysians were. It seems the situation has reversed. The jam at the Singapore end now backs up all the way into Johor Baru.'
26 July 2008
Straits Times
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
I REFER to Mr Steve Lovatos' letter last Saturday, '143 million... Can that be correct?'.
Mr Lovatos sought clarification on Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) statistics of the 143 million travellers who had passed through Singapore's checkpoints last year.
We believe he may have been referring to the number of visitor arrivals obtained from Singapore Tourism Board visitor arrival statistics. However, these statistics refer only to non-Malaysian social visitors and Malaysian social visitors who arrive by air and sea.
ICA statistics of the 143 million travellers, on the other hand, refer to the total number of travellers who were cleared through immigration at Singapore's air, land and sea checkpoints last year. This figure comprises total arrivals and departures of all types of travellers, including Singapore citizens, permanent residents and foreign visitors.
Eunice Chu (Ms) Deputy Director, Corporate Communications Division Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
'143 million... Can that be correct?'
19 July 2008
Straits Times
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
MR STEVE LOVATO: 'Ms Eunice Chu of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority stated that 143 million travellers passed through Singapore's checkpoints last year ('Here's the magnitude of checkpoint security', July 10). If true, that would mean that nearly 400,000 people cross into and out of Singapore each day. Can that be correct? Singapore reports 10 or 12 million arrivals a year. Assuming they also leave Singapore, that would double the total of passport checks to 20 to 24 million a year. Thus that would leave the balance of about 120 million Singapore travellers going through the checkpoints a year or about 25 trips for every citizen and resident of Singapore a year. Perhaps Ms Chu could shed more light on the numbers.'
'Many used to say how inefficient the Malaysians were. The situation has reversed.'
MR TAN KAH HONG: 'Like many golfers, after a week of work I look forward to a relaxing weekend golf across the Causeway. The high cost of green fees and membership fees locally leaves us with no choice but to play elsewhere. Thousands like me make the trip, so one can imagine the wasted hours waiting in the current gridlock at the Causeway. I understand security is the main concern, but more can be done to improve the situation. Or are we to expect this to continue indefinitely? The infrastructure is impressive, but the process leaves much to be desired. Many years ago, the queue was at the Malaysian half and many motorists used to say how inefficient the Malaysians were. It seems the situation has reversed. The jam at the Singapore end now backs up all the way into Johor Baru.'