ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (Particulars)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Health and Home Affairs how many persons were detained for illegal entry into Singapore during the year ended 28th February. 1973; and what action the Government has taken or intends to take to stop further illegal entries.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, a total of 1,693 persons were detained for illegal entry into Singapore for the period 1st March. 1972 to 28th February, 1973.

The Immigration Department on receipt of information, mounts surprise checks and raids. The Marine Police also keep a lookout for suspicious-looking vessels trying to sneak in with illegal immigrants. Members of the Police Force who are on beat duty carry out frequent checks on suspicious-looking persons who may have entered Singapore illegally. Further, Immigration and Police Officers conduct surprise checks at the various worksites. When arrested, illegal immigrants are detained, prosecuted and removed after serving their sentences.

At present a person who enters Singapore illegally can be imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year or fined up to a sum not exceeding $4,000, or to both such imprisonment and fine. A trafficker can be imprisoned for two years and fined up to $4,000. These penalties are inadequate especially for traffickers who prey on these illegal immigrants. The Immigration Act will be amended to increase the penalties for illegal immigrants and especially for traffickers, who could be punished by caning as a deterrent against making money out of encouraging illegal immigration.

A special unit has just been established in the Immigration Department to deal solely with the problem of illegal immigration.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has told us the number of illegal entries into Singapore. Can the Minister check up and let us know how many of these cases are new?

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I cannot answer the Member for Anson because I have not got the figures. If the Member for Anson were to submit a question, I will give him accurate figures. But what I can say now is that the number has increased since the period ending 28th February, 1973.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, my question is: with two million people in Singapore, how could he check who are the illegal immigrants? Does he check them when they come into Singapore?

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member for Anson had listened to me carefully, he would have got the answer.