ILLEGAL ENTRY OF THAI WORKERS (Measures to prevent)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Home Affairs why were there more than 2,000 Thai illegal workers found to have entered Singapore without proper travel documents at the time of their contact with the law and what stringent measures are being taken to ensure effective prevention of such illegal entry by foreigners.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, these illegal immigrants had entered Singapore landing on our coastline under the cover of darkness after a short boat trip from nearby staging points. With the help of well-organized trafficking syndicates, they were sometimes able to escape detection.

In recent months, the Marine Police Division and the Immigration Department have stepped up patrols and surveillance to curb this trafficking. They have succeeded on several occasions to arrest traffickers and intercept these attempts to land illegal immigrants. For example, in December 1988, a ring leader was arrested and this was followed by another arrest in February 1989. In October 1988, a boatman with a female assistant was arrested while trying to land eight illegal immigrants near the Senoko Power Station. Another boatman was arrested at sea in January 1989 while attempting to convey 10 illegal immigrants.

The Marine Police and Immigration will intensify their patrols and surveillance efforts on all potential landing sites to curb the activities of the trafficking syndicates.

With the recent amendments to the Immigration Act, convicted illegal immigrants and those who overstay for more than 90 days will face mandatory imprisonment of 3 months and 3 strokes of the cane. Those trafficking in illegal immigrants or harbouring them are also subject to severe penalties: a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 2 years and mandatory caning for traffickers, and mandatory minimum jail sentence of 6 months and fine of up to $6,000 for harbourers.

Our strategy to deal with illegal immigrants is to enhance our border security with more patrol and surveillance as well as to implement more effective deterrents such as caning for offenders. At the same time, we will also enforce the law against employers of illegalimmigrants and overstayers of more than 90 days. On conviction, they will face imprisonment and fines. These deterrent measures should reduce the inflow of illegal immigrants.

Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi): Sir, may I ask the Hon. Minister whether the traffickers who bring in the illegal immigrants are Singaporeans or foreigners operating such activities from outside Singapore?

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1988, 18 traffickers were prosecuted. Except for three who were Singaporeans, most of them were foreigners operating outside. And I am glad to say that we have received excellent cooperation from the Malaysian authorities who have not only helped us in investigations but have also helped us apprehend the culprits and extradite them to Singapore.