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Response to "Use IC, not passport, in airport clearance system" (Straits Times, 15 October 2007)
ST Forum
Why IC not used in airport clearance system
361 words
23 October 2007
Straits Times
English
(c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
[by] Lim Jing Jing (Ms) Deputy Head Public & Internal Communications for Commissioner Immigration & Checkpoints Authority[/by]
I REFER to the letter, 'Use IC, not passport, in airport clearance system' (ST, Oct 15), by Mr Richard Thong Kok Mun.
We thank Mr Thong for his feedback and would like to assure him that user-friendliness is an important consideration whenever the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) plans new systems.
Before introducing the current enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS), ICA had considered using the identity card (NRIC) as a token to initiate the automated clearance. However, a valid passport is normally the internationally recognised travel document that a traveller would have to possess before he can enter a foreign country and every Singaporean is expected to have a valid passport for immigration clearance.
Hence, we realised that the passport would serve as a suitable token and travellers need not have another token such as an IACS card or NRIC.
The use of passports for automated clearance also allows children, aged between six and 15, who do not hold NRICs, to use the automated lanes as long as they are biometric-passport holders or have registered the required biometrics with us.
We are aware that Hong Kong's Automated Passenger Clearance System allows users to use their Smart ID but we understand that the system is meant only for domestic travel between Hong Kong and mainland China.
Mr Thong had highlighted that the Hong Kong airport has 16 automated lanes in the arrival hall, compared to only two at Changi Airport Terminal 2. We would like to explain that unlike the Hong Kong airport where the immigration area is centralised, the immigration zones of Terminals 1 and 2 of the Changi Airport are in different clearance halls of the North, South, East and West wings. Due to the lack of space, ICA had started off with having two eIACS lanes in each zone. We are pleased to share that we are indeed looking into Mr Thong's suggestion to increase the number of eIACS lanes across the major checkpoints in Singapore.
Document STIMES0020071022e3an0000m
ST Forum
Use IC, not passport, in airport clearance system
328 words
15 October 2007
Straits Times
English
(c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
[by]Richard Thong Kok Mun [/by]
I REFER to the reply, 'ICA clarifies thumbprint screening at checkpoints' (ST, Oct 5).
I was disappointed with and even more perplexed by Miss Lim Jing Jing's reply because she did not address the root of the problem, which is passport and thumbprint scanner technology. On many occasions, I have used the automated clearance system at Changi Airport Terminal 2 and experienced many delays instead of a user-friendly clearance system. Her reply, that 'our officers will continue to attend to them', defeats the purpose of having the machine installed which is, in the first place, to expedite clearance and reduce manpower needed to scan Singapore passports.
I have travelled to Hong Kong and observed that residents need only use their identity card instead of their their passport in the automated clearance system. This is user-friendly and efficient because our system of inserting one's passport often causes delays as there is no way to determine how far the passport should be inserted.
Every Singapore IC has been barcoded and the authorities should consider using them at Changi Airport. The IC is not a substitute for the passport when travelling because all travellers need to present it at the check-in counter for verification, and there is a subsequent check before entering the departure gate.
Also, Hong Kong airport has 16 machines in the arrival hall (eight on each side) compared with only two at Changi Airport Terminal 2, which shows how much foresight is needed to meet expected increases in travellers in the near future. In fact, I have yet to see a queue at the machines in Hong Kong, even at peak hours.
As a Singaporean, I hope all organisations conduct thorough tests of their machines and adopt the appropriate technology and correct it when necessary, because it enhances not only our travelling experience but also our lives.
Why IC not used in airport clearance system
361 words
23 October 2007
Straits Times
English
(c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
[by] Lim Jing Jing (Ms) Deputy Head Public & Internal Communications for Commissioner Immigration & Checkpoints Authority[/by]
I REFER to the letter, 'Use IC, not passport, in airport clearance system' (ST, Oct 15), by Mr Richard Thong Kok Mun.
We thank Mr Thong for his feedback and would like to assure him that user-friendliness is an important consideration whenever the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) plans new systems.
Before introducing the current enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS), ICA had considered using the identity card (NRIC) as a token to initiate the automated clearance. However, a valid passport is normally the internationally recognised travel document that a traveller would have to possess before he can enter a foreign country and every Singaporean is expected to have a valid passport for immigration clearance.
Hence, we realised that the passport would serve as a suitable token and travellers need not have another token such as an IACS card or NRIC.
The use of passports for automated clearance also allows children, aged between six and 15, who do not hold NRICs, to use the automated lanes as long as they are biometric-passport holders or have registered the required biometrics with us.
We are aware that Hong Kong's Automated Passenger Clearance System allows users to use their Smart ID but we understand that the system is meant only for domestic travel between Hong Kong and mainland China.
Mr Thong had highlighted that the Hong Kong airport has 16 automated lanes in the arrival hall, compared to only two at Changi Airport Terminal 2. We would like to explain that unlike the Hong Kong airport where the immigration area is centralised, the immigration zones of Terminals 1 and 2 of the Changi Airport are in different clearance halls of the North, South, East and West wings. Due to the lack of space, ICA had started off with having two eIACS lanes in each zone. We are pleased to share that we are indeed looking into Mr Thong's suggestion to increase the number of eIACS lanes across the major checkpoints in Singapore.
Document STIMES0020071022e3an0000m
ST Forum
Use IC, not passport, in airport clearance system
328 words
15 October 2007
Straits Times
English
(c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
[by]Richard Thong Kok Mun [/by]
I REFER to the reply, 'ICA clarifies thumbprint screening at checkpoints' (ST, Oct 5).
I was disappointed with and even more perplexed by Miss Lim Jing Jing's reply because she did not address the root of the problem, which is passport and thumbprint scanner technology. On many occasions, I have used the automated clearance system at Changi Airport Terminal 2 and experienced many delays instead of a user-friendly clearance system. Her reply, that 'our officers will continue to attend to them', defeats the purpose of having the machine installed which is, in the first place, to expedite clearance and reduce manpower needed to scan Singapore passports.
I have travelled to Hong Kong and observed that residents need only use their identity card instead of their their passport in the automated clearance system. This is user-friendly and efficient because our system of inserting one's passport often causes delays as there is no way to determine how far the passport should be inserted.
Every Singapore IC has been barcoded and the authorities should consider using them at Changi Airport. The IC is not a substitute for the passport when travelling because all travellers need to present it at the check-in counter for verification, and there is a subsequent check before entering the departure gate.
Also, Hong Kong airport has 16 machines in the arrival hall (eight on each side) compared with only two at Changi Airport Terminal 2, which shows how much foresight is needed to meet expected increases in travellers in the near future. In fact, I have yet to see a queue at the machines in Hong Kong, even at peak hours.
As a Singaporean, I hope all organisations conduct thorough tests of their machines and adopt the appropriate technology and correct it when necessary, because it enhances not only our travelling experience but also our lives.