Quick-thinking checkpoint officers to the rescue!
This morning’s strong wind at Tuas Checkpoint had caused the canopies at the car and motorcycle arrival zones to topple. Here are some photos of quick-thinking officers who acted promptly to ensure motorists’ safety.
Kudos to CPL Anthony, CPL Leow, SGT Nur, SGT Herman, SSGT Farhan, WPC Atiwah, WPC Surinah, LCP Hisham, CPL Max and SGT Salam for their quick-thinking and fast response!
Here’s how Mr Khaw Boon Wan the Transport Minister could increase his popularity now that he has assumed the most unwanted portfolio in the government’s department.
‘Steal’ a couple of millions from the PIC Bonus Grant Scheme and channel it towards relieving Woodlands checkpoint from massive congestion.
1. Set up extra 20 booths during peak hours. With extra booth, more manpower is needed. Deploy personnel specifically for peak hours operation.
2. Widen the CIQ car lanes from the existing 2 lanes. Currently only two car lanes serving hundreds of thousands of motorist before coming to the immigration booth.
3. Hire more personnel for security checks whenever there is a need to step up security. Much much more from existing.
The 5 billion PIC Bonus Scheme has remain largely ineffective in increasing the country’s productivity level. In recent news, we were told even pimps were claiming from this scheme.
Tax payer’s monies should always be maximized and put to efficient use. Arresting the issue of congestion can actually help to increase the nation’s productivity level.
Thousands of Malaysian and Singaporean workers travel in and out of Singapore everyday. Not having enough sleep just to beat the congestion will ultimately cause their work performances to dip and thus affect productivity.
Fatigue can affect productivity too. Instead of waiting hours to clear the jam, that amount of hours wasted is opportunity lost to further increase productivity.
Heavy congestion also have slight negative impact towards the country’s economy. We read about how a Singaporean stayed in JB hotel overnight just to avoid the jam. That is money spent overseas when it could have been spent internally to contribute to the economy.
Gallons and gallons of petrol wasted during the congestion. Carbon dioxide harmful effects on the environment and humans are also a concern.
It will not do wonders to the current productivity level. But I believe it will help towards achieving a positive effect. With this venture, everyone benefits. Motorist. Transport Minister. Government.
Source: Osman Sulaiman
Know your rights .
This afternoon at 3.20pm , after collecting my luggage at Changi , I was asked by Officer Eugene Ng , an Immigration & Custom Authority personnel to scan my belongings . I was curious and jokingly asked him what he saw in my outlook that made him pick me instead of dozens of people also leaving the airport with their belongings . I wasn’t even wearing my shades this time haha . He ignored me and I guess that was his right to do so but I wondered if he actually heard me , so I asked again . I raised my voice this time to make sure I would be heard . Then he demanded me to give him my passport and he took it to record my details . I was truly curious and I asked him why he asked for my passport and what my details were being recorded for . His reason was because I raised the volume of my voice . Shocking ! So for raising my voice the authorities took down my personal details ? I had already gone through immigration before I collected my luggage , and his job was really just to check my luggage at the scanner .
I was angry because he was holding me without cause . I asked him again for the purpose of taking down my details ; instead of answering me , he ordered me to follow him to the search room . Naturally , I refused . I asked him what he was planning to search and why I was being detained. His response was I should know the answer . Now , why and how would I know ? Nothing illegal showed up in my belongings on the scanner . I needed to know what I was being suspected for ; he refused to answer and again , demanded me to follow him to the search room . I refused again .
At this point , afraid I would be dragged away against my will , I started taking video of the events that would follow . He leaped forward and tried to snatch my phone but I managed to dodged and reminded him of my rights to take images of public places including airports and that even the police have no rights to take away my phone unless they have a warrant . This officer then told me the area is restricted and I cannot take videos of him . The luggage belt / custom area was a public area . Ten of dozens of people were moving around us . However , respecting his order , I asked where was the sign that says I cannot take videos but he couldn’t show me and said he needed to ask his superiors . All this time he held onto my passport and refused to return it to me and kept wanting to take my phone and demanded me to follow him to the search room . Finally his superior returned and guess what ? ….. his superior let me go within 10 seconds . Now the truth is clear . I did nothing wrong and officer Eugene Ng was just being an ass ! The officer detained me , held my passport , took down my personal details , demanded me to follow him to the search room , and tried to snatch my phone ; his superior let me go within 10 seconds upon his return . So who’s the one really carrying out his duties ?
What kind of people are we hiring these days as public servants to serve us ? This is clearly an abuse of power and an infringement of my rights . This officer had intimidated me and if I had followed him to the search room I could not imagine what would happen next . I was so afraid for my safety and what this officer and / or his other colleagues would have done to me if I had been dragged to the search room .
For this and many other similar reasons , I had left my country to live overseas . There are simply too many similar encounters every time I return . This one was indeed too scary and frustrating , thus I am sharing . I am sure there will be strong supporters of the system (a system where we are not to question the authorities and when we do , even if it was an innocent question , we would face the consequence of intimidation and harassment) but we should all be reminded of our rights , the rights and duties of this officer but not to forget my rights either .
As a result of this injustice , I was late for my business meeting . Note: I have various businesses in Singapore that pay taxes ; I am an original Singaporean who also contributed to nation building by being in uniform for 6 years . Maybe I should be treated slightly better than this when I return to my home . I wish officer Eugene Ng a successful career checking luggages at Changi .
Source: PJ Wong
A 34-year-old Malaysian woman who allegedly failed to stop for immigration clearance at the Woodlands Checkpoint on Tuesday morning (June 30) was charged today.
Chong Jing Jing faces three charges for offences allegedly committed between 5.09am and 5.13am on June 30.
Chong allegedly failed to stop her car — bearing the Malaysian registration number AKB 7102 — at Arrival Car Counter 19 at Woodlands Checkpoint upon her arrival in Singapore. If found guilty, she could be fined up to S$2,000 and jailed up to six months.
She is also accused of failing to present her Malaysian passport to an immigration officer on duty before entering Singapore. If convicted, she could be fined up to S$1,000 and jailed up to six months.
Chong also allegedly obstructed the duty of an immigration officer by refusing to comply with instructions to switch off the vehicle’s engine and unlock the doors. If found guilty, she could be fined up to S$4,000 and jailed up to 12 months.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had earlier announced that a 34-year-old Malaysian woman had tailgated a car at the Woodlands Checkpoint. Its officer activated the alarm and intercepted her car at the Arrival Car Zone, which was locked down immediately.
Officers broke both the front and rear passenger windows to escort her out of the vehicle after she refused to switch off the engine and unlock the vehicle. She was also found to have an expired travel document and arrested.
During the brief court hearing, Chong smiled when the charges were read to her in Mandarin.
She will be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for two weeks and will return to court on July 16.
Source: www.todayonline.com
Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has raised questions over the Singapore authorities’ alleged treatment of Malaysian football fans seeking to enter the country for the ongoing Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup.
He said he was informed that some Malaysian fans who wanted to watch the match between Malaysia and Myanmar on Sunday were turned away at the Tuas immigration checkpoint. He also said he was told that Myanmar fans far outnumbered the Malaysians at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Khairy said: “Though we respect the procedures of other countries, I am not happy with the way Malaysian football fans were treated. Once there is a reply (from Singapore), I will inform the Malaysian public.”
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said each visiting country is allocated 1,500 tickets for matches held at the Jalan Besar Stadium and that only 700 tickets from the Malaysian quota were utilised for the match in question.
The FAS also said there were about 1,200 complimentary tickets given to sponsors and tournament organisers.
Spokesman Gerard Wong stressed the special relationship between the two countries.
“After the Football Association of Malaysia returned the unsold tickets to us, we took the extra step of putting the tickets on sale again to cater to Malaysians either working in Singapore, or travelling here to buy tickets.”
The minister said he has sent a letter to the Singapore authorities, and wants them to clarify the matter.
In reply, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority said: “As with most countries, a visitor’s entry to Singapore is neither automatic nor a right. The grant of visit passes to visitors is assessed by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the point of arrival and subjected to prevailing immigration policies, amongst others.”
The match between Malaysia and Myanmar ended in a 0-0 draw.
Source: www.straitstimes.com