I refer to the articles “ICA working on portable device to verify passports” and “ICA demonstrates how cruise passengers are swiftly ‘pre-cleared‘” (Straits Times, Apr 7).
Portable device to speed up passport clearance?
The former states that “The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) is working on a portable electronic device which could be used to check the passports of ship passengers and make the current system more efficient.”
Long queues?
On a recent trip back from Malaysia on a Thursday night – it took a few hours to get through Singapore Immigration and Customs.
In contrast, going through Malaysian Immigration and Customs was very smooth and fast.
Everybody paying for the inefficiency?
I have been told that the jam at Singapore has become a perpetual occurance, especially for goods vehicles that may have to wait for several hours.
Imagine the costs in time, money, etc – these delays may cause – which may ultimately be passed on to consumers by way of higher prices. Individuals may also arguably be wasting productive time waiting to clear the entry process.
Has anyone ever done any study as to the costs to the nation as a whole – due to such delays?
A friend jokingly said to me – everytime there is a breach at immigration (I believe there were 2 recent breaches) – we all suffer for the ïnefficiency that may have contributed to the breaches in the first place!
Leong Sze Hian
