HUMAN SMUGGLING

Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung asked the Minister for Home Affairs what is the number of cases involving the smuggling of persons into Singapore and what actions have been taken at the entry points to counter the problem of human smuggling.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: More cases involving the smuggling of illegal immigrants* were detected last year compared to 1999.

• Traffickers attempted to smuggle illegal immigrants into Singapore by land via concealing them in car boots, tankers or in special compartments of travel coaches and factory buses (bus kilang) as well as by sea via speedboats.

At the land checkpoints, 40 traffickers were arrested last year, as compared to 27 traffickers arrested in 1999, an increase of 48%. However, the number of illegal immigrants detected being smuggled into Singapore through the land checkpoints decreased from 197 in 1999 to 81 in 2000.

There were no traffickers arrested at our ferry terminals. Out at sea, 16 Tekongs or boat operators were arrested. This was a 100% increase over 1999, where 8 boat operators were arrested. The number of illegal immigrants caught being smuggled into Singapore by sea increased from 153 in 1999 to 200 in 2000.

The Home Team has adopted, and will continue to adopt stringent checks at our air, land and sea border entry points to detect the smuggling of illegal immigrants into Singapore. Specifically, the following actions have been taken at the entry points to counter the problem of human smuggling:

i More Intensive Checks

The expanded facilities at the new Woodlands Checkpoint have enabled immigration officers to conduct more thorough checks on persons and vehicles to deter illegal entry and departure through the land checkpoints, without adversely affecting traffic flow.

ii Enhanced Intelligence Capability

Intensified Police and SIR intelligence gathering has resulted in the higher number of arrests of traffickers operating across the land checkpoints.

iii Sea and Coastal Enforcement

The Police Coast Guard (PCG) has stepped up both sea and shore patrols to detect smugglers who attempt to smuggle in illegal immigrants by sea. PCG has acquired new high-speed patrol boats with better manoeuvrability and fitted with the latest surveillance and digital communications equipment.

iv Technology

We will employ new technology to detect such attempts at smuggling illegal immigrants. Specifically, SIR is acquiring mobile x-ray machines to detect illegal immigrants hiding in vehicles. PCG has already deployed state-of-the-art radar surveillance systems and electro-optic cameras at strategic locations to detect illegal landings at night.

v Deterrent Messages

In addition to rigorous enforcement, we have also constantly sent out deterrent messages through targeted public education. For example, SIR distributes pamphlets in 4 languages to foreigners coming through our land checkpoints. These pamphlets highlight the stiff penalties for trafficking illegal immigrants.

The Home Team's multi-pronged approach and coordinated enforcement action has yielded good results so far. My Ministry will continue to take concerted action to stop immigration offenders and traffickers. If necessary, we will review the penalties for traffickers. With the support of the community, we will keep the immigration offender problem under control.