PULAU UBIN (Hideout for illegal immigrants)

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Goh Choon Kang -

Mr Goh Choon Kang: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether Pulau Ubin has become a temporary hideout for illegal immigrants intending to smuggle into the main island of Singapore.

Mr Heng Chiang Meng (Cheng San): Question No. 14, Sir.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, there is no indication that Pulau Ubin is being used as a temporary hideout by illegal immigrants wanting to come into the main island of Singapore.

There were only three occasions when illegal immigrants landed on Pulau Ubin in recent years, one case involving a single illegal immigrant in 1998 and two cases involving 10 illegal immigrants in August this year. All the illegal immigrants were arrested by the Police Coast Guard (PCG) soon after landing on Pulau Ubin.

Police investigations revealed that these illegal immigrants were left to fend for themselves on the island by the smugglers. Police have also ascertained that the smugglers landed the illegal immigrants on the island by deceiving them that it was part of Singapore island.

The Police Coast Guard will continue to maintain close watch over Pulau Ubin. Through its Pulau Ubin Police Post, Police will continue to work closely with the residents to detect any suspicious characters there. Given the terrain of the island and the close co-operation between the Pulau Ubin islanders and Police, illegal immigrants will not find a safe haven there.