ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM INDONESIA (Update on situation)

Mr Goh Choon Kang asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will give an update on the situation of illegal immigrants from Indonesia since the outbreak of riots in the country.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Wong Kan Seng): Mr Speaker, Sir, there has not been any influx of Indonesian illegal immigrants since the outbreak of unrest in Indonesia. Police arrested only 77 Indonesian illegal immigrants on land and at sea in May, compared to 258 in April. Potential illegal immigrants should know that they will be discovered and punished for illegal entry into Singapore. Intensive police operations have also crippled illegal immigrant smuggling activities.

The Police Coast Guard will continue to be vigilant against illegals coming by sea. On land, Police will continue to mount operations against illegal immigrants.

We will continue with our very strict and tough stance against all illegal immigrants, their employers and those who harbour them. The Police, Immigration and the other agencies will spare no effort to detect and deal firmly with offenders. We will take all necessary actions to stay on top of the illegal immigrant situation, to ensure that the safety and security of Singapore is not compromised.