ABUSE OF SINGAPORE PASSPORTS (Offences)

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ABUSE OF SINGAPORE PASSPORTS:

(Offences): 10.

Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether offences relating to the abuse of Singapore passports are on the rise; and (b) what steps are taken to deal with such offences.

The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of cases of abuse of Singapore passports rose from an average of about 50 cases a year from 2000 to 2002, to a high of 116 cases last year. This partly stemmed from the stepping up of enforcement by officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) as well as closer cooperation between ICA and their foreign counterparts.

A number of these abusers were found to be involved in human smuggling activities. They made use of their passports to travel overseas to escort foreigners to enter other countries illegally, or act as intermediaries between

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trafficking syndicates and these illegal migrants. Others tampered with, sold or gave away their passports.

Sir, my Ministry takes a serious view of this matter. Singapore enjoys a high reputation internationally. As a result, the Singapore passport is well regarded internationally. This is evident from the visa-free entry that Singaporeans currently enjoy in many countries. We cannot allow a small number of Singaporeans who misuse their passport for selfish gains to undermine the Singapore Passport, thereby inconveniencing the many other Singaporeans travelling overseas for legitimate purposes.

To maintain the integrity of the Singapore passport, we take a tough stance against those who are found to have abused their passports. Anyone who misuses his Singapore passport will be denied passport facilities for 10 years. They may also be charged for offences under the Penal Code and Passports Act.

The Police and ICA regularly exchange information with their foreign counterparts on cases of passport abuse, and the modus operandi and trends of human smuggling activities. Timely information sharing enables us to take swift action against such abusers.

Sir, in addition, to stay ahead in our fight against syndicates involved in forgery and tampering of our passports, we introduced a new passport with enhanced security features in October 1999. We are currently exploring biometrics technology with a view to further enhancing the security features of our passports. This will make it even more difficult for anyone to abuse the Singapore passport.

In summary, Sir, we will come down hard on those who abuse their Singapore

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passports. I am sure that the vast majority of Singaporeans who travel for legitimate purposes will agree that this is a necessary measure to protect their interests.

Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung (Sembawang): Sir, because the penalty is quite a serious one - 10 years' ban - may I ask whether the officers who assess these cases do so very carefully to make sure that those who genuinely lose their passports, and not abusers of passports, have a chance to get their passports back as soon as possible?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, every case is carefully considered. In fact, many of these cases are based on actual convictions, admissions or confessions, or official statements recorded made to agencies overseas which are verified by ICA. For lost passports, that is another matter altogether. Of course, we have also introduced steps to ensure that Singaporeans do not lose their passports. And I am glad to say that over time, the number has come down.

Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung: Sir, may I just confirm with the Senior Minister of State that only in cases where there have actually been a thorough investigation and a conviction for abuse of passports, for example, under the Passports Act, that there will be such a ban for 10 years?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, as I have said, every case is carefully considered. Not all are based on convictions; some are based on actual confessions. Because you may have a situation where the person is caught overseas, and that happens because the offender is escorting, for example, foreigners from one country to another country, you are actually apprehended overseas. But even then, the agency overseas would have investigated and the offenders are sent back to Singapore. So,

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in these cases, again, they are considered and we act accordingly.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I have one meet-the-people session case whereby a Singaporean lost his passport, and when he applied for a replacement, he was refused. Under what circumstances are replacements of passports refused to Singapore citizens?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, in all genuine cases of loss, a Singapore passport holder will be given a replacement. Of course, he has to pay some fees. But I would expect that in that case, if this is really true, then ICA would have done their investigations, and it is not a genuine case of loss. Because we have got people who would make false loss reports. Very often, some of them will sell or give away their passports. Some of them, because they have borrowed money, will give possession of their passports to these illegal moneylenders. So, that cannot be condoned. In cases where after a full investigation and it is discovered that they are not genuine cases, there will be no replacements.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, in that particular case, that applicant admitted to me that he had a drug record. So, is that one of the reasons for refusing a replacement of passport?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, in that case, Mr Chiam must check the facts. Probably it is not a matter of not replacing the passport but his inability to travel. If one has a drug record, CNB will have a debarment period for travelling. So, there is a difference there.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, what is the debarment period?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, it depends on the offence that is committed, whether it is possession or trafficking. It

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can range from two to three years or more. Whatever it is, I think these guidelines are also looked at, and there are good reasons for doing this. Let me assure Mr Chiam that the use of passports is something that all of us want. But, like I have said, it is very important to protect the integrity of the Singapore passport. And whenever abuse is discovered, we will ensure that such abuse must be discouraged.