Immigration and Checkpoints Authority

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs how is the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority investing in new technology for all areas of their work, including biometric identification, so as to adapt to the more sophisticated and high technology environment of today.

Mr Teo Chee Hean: Over the years, ICA has invested judiciously in technology to enhance its capabilities in protecting Singapore's borders. The use of technology has facilitated and supported ICA's effort to maintain a good balance between secure border protection and an efficient flow of people and commerce. This is especially important given the increased security requirements since 2001, and the large and increasing numbers of people and goods entering and leaving Singapore every day. Let me now share some concrete examples of technology use in the areas of biometric identification of people, inspection of goods, and bio-security.

At the checkpoints, ICA uses biometric identification to identify and stop immigration offenders and undesirable travelers. Since the introduction of the Biometric Database for Immigration Clearance system in 2004, ICA has captured immigration offenders' fingerprints and photo images in its databases. This has successfully thwarted many criminal attempts to re-enter Singapore using fraudulent identities.

At the same time, biometric information of Singaporeans has been used to expedite immigration clearance. With the deployment of the enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance in 2006, three million Singaporeans who hold a passport are able to clear themselves swiftly through the automated immigration clearance system.

More recently, ICA has been testing iFaces, which is a real-time facial recognition biometrics system. This facial recognition and biometric identification technology was progressively tested through pilot trials from 2009. Since January 2011, ICA has deployed it at the Woodlands Motorcycle Zones. Using iFaces, the immigration officer can better detect fraudulent identities by using facial information in the traveler's passport biodata page to match against the facial database of immigration offenders and persons of interests.

Checks on containers at the ports used to rely on physical visual inspection or cumbersome X-ray systems. These old methods meant that up to half an hour was required to inspect a container, significantly slowing down traffic flow. In 2009, ICA introduced the Integrated Cargo Inspection System (ICIS) at sea checkpoints that can scan containers quickly and efficiently without compromising security standards. This new system can clear up to 200 containers per hour, compared to two containers per hour in the old system, leading to significant efficiency gains. Ground officers can also rely on the ICIS to quickly identify threats.

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ICA has invested heavily in infrastructure and technology to identity and deal with potential bio-security threats. In 2009, ICA implemented the Protective & Analytical Facilities (PAF) at Tuas Checkpoint which enabled ICA to conduct reliable and rapid on-site analysis of biological agents and toxic chemicals.

The examples that I have quoted are not exhaustive. Checkpoint operations, border control equipment and technology systems must be constantly reviewed to keep pace with new demands and evolving security threats. Having the best technologies alone is not sufficient. Technology can only be an enabler. Within the overall security framework, the human element in learning, understanding, and applying those technologies is paramount. ICA will continue to develop and train its officers with the right skill sets and work attitudes to ensure that our borders continue to remain safe and secure.