CAUSEWAY AND SECOND LINK (Traffic jams)

Column No : 1973

CAUSEWAY AND SECOND LINK:

(Traffic jams): The following Questions stood in the names of Ms Indranee Rajah, Mr Ong Kian Min and Mdm Ho Geok Choo respectively -

9. To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs whether the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will take steps to deal with the traffic jams at the Causeway and Second Link during festive periods, when there are significantly higher volumes of vehicular traffic, so as to achieve quicker checkpoint clearance.

10. To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the causes of the long queues at the Causeway and Second Link; (b) if he will provide a breakdown of the types and numbers of breaches and offences detected at the Causeway and Second Link immigration/customs checkpoints for the years 2004 and 2005; and (c) if there are plans to ease the jams while maintaining effective security checks.

11. To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how will the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority resolve the traffic jam at the Causeway; (b) whether there is a special reason for not adopting the Changi Airport immigration clearance procedures at the Causeway and Second Link; (c) what is the cause for the recent jam other than higher volume of traffic.

Mr Ong Kian Min (Tampines): Question No. 9, Sir.

The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, can I have your permission to take Question Nos. 9 to 11 together as they are related?

Mr Speaker: Yes, you may.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Mr Speaker, Sir, our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore 's security against penetration by terrorists. After the 11th September 2001 attacks and the arrest of Jemaah Islamiyah arrests in December 2001, we stepped up security checks at all our checkpoints. We now conduct 100% checks on persons, cargo and conveyances that pass through our checkpoints. These security checks are critical to our nation's security, especially since terrorism remains a clear and present threat to Singapore . We have to remain vigilant, as would-be offenders, including possible terrorists, may try and bring unlawful goods into Singapore , or slip into Singapore to perpetrate criminal or terrorist acts.

Reasons for congestion at the land checkpoints

Stepped-up security checks

Sir, these enhanced security checks have been effective in helping to detect cases of smuggling of contraband, illegal goods and illegal immigrants. Mr Ong Kian Min asked for a breakdown of the types and numbers of breaches and offences detected at our land checkpoints. In 2005, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) detected about 8,100 cases of contraband at the land checkpoints compared to 8,400 cases in 2004. Notably, these included 245 attempts in 2005 to smuggle in controlled and prohibited items such as stun guns, air guns and daggers, an increase of 92 cases compared to 2004.

In addition, 250 cases of foreigners trying to enter Singapore with forged or tampered travel documents at the land checkpoints were detected, an increase of 70 cases compared to the 180 cases in 2004.

Since the introduction of the Biometric Database for Immigration Clearance in June 2005, ICA detected more than 220 ex-immigration offenders and other persons on record who attempted to gain entry using false identities. In addition, ICA arrested 56 travellers for attempting to use another person's passport to gain entry in 2005 compared to 33 travellers in 2004.

Increased traffic volume

Sir, whilst enhanced security is one reason for congestion at the land checkpoints, a more fundamental reason is that the traffic volume at our land checkpoints has increased quite significantly.

For example, comparing 2004 and 2005, in the month of December, during the recent school holidays, the number of travellers in cars increased by some 7%. Indeed, over the 17th and 18th December weekend, car travellers passing through Tuas Checkpoint more than doubled compared to a typical weekday. That weekend, Tuas Checkpoint also saw 38% more bus travellers, which translates into about 270 more buses.

Changes in traffic patterns

Sir, the situation is exacerbated by changes in traffic patterns which have resulted in the peak periods for both arrival and departure traffic overlapping during the late afternoon to evening periods. This has hampered ICA 's flexibility in deploying the necessary manpower to deal with any traffic build-up. Previously, when these peaks did not coincide, ICA had greater flexibility in redeploying officers from less congested areas to man counters where the traffic was heavy.

Motorists' inconsiderate behaviour

On top of these two reasons, the lack of lane discipline displayed by impatient motorists switching lanes indiscriminately has further worsened congestion at the land checkpoints.

Measures taken to ease congestion at the land checkpoints

Sir, having stated the reasons for congestion at our land checkpoints, let me assure Members that MHA has noted recent feedback on the situation and has taken measures to alleviate it, but without compromising security.

Increasing manpower

Thus, more ICA officers have been put to work over-time and more off-duty officers have been recalled to help clear travellers during the peak periods. Officers are also being redeployed from other checkpoints to man more counters, where possible. In addition, we are deploying more Traffic Police and CISCO officers to ensure that motorists maintain lane discipline as well as to conduct security checks. Moving forward, we will increase ICA 's manpower so that more officers can be deployed at the land checkpoints. This is in progress and time is needed to train new recruits. Meanwhile, we are exploring other initiatives where practicable, for example, employing retired officers on flexi-hours and contract terms. I understand that, with the rolling out of these measures, the ground situation has improved.

Leveraging on technology

Besides manpower adjustments, we will also continue to leverage on technology to ease congestion. For example, ICA has in place an Integrated Cargo Inspection System (ICIS) to conduct non-intrusive scanning of cargo vehicles. Besides speeding up the process, this has enabled ICA to re-deploy officers to perform other duties.

ICA also intends to implement the Enhanced-Immigration Automated Clearance System (E-IACS) and the Biometrics Identification of Motor Bikers System (BIKES) middle of this year. These systems will automate and expedite immigration clearance of Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass-holders.

Changi Airport immigration clearance procedures

Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked if it is possible to adopt Changi Airport immigration clearance procedures at the land checkpoints. Conditions at Changi Airport are very different from the land checkpoints. Traffic patterns at the Airport are more predictable as aircraft arrivals and departures are scheduled. Also, clearance is mainly for passengers, unlike the land checkpoints which face a free flow of travellers in different vehicle types.

Playing a part - travellers

Sir, travellers can also play a part in helping to ease congestion at the land checkpoints. They can help to minimise the congestion by maintaining lane discipline. They can also help by adjusting their travel plans and avoiding peak periods as far as possible. Also, travellers can call the traffic information hotline at 6863-0117 or tune in to TrafficWatch on the radio to find out the latest traffic conditions at the land checkpoints.

Furthermore, they can make sure that they do not bring unlawful or prohibited goods into Singapore as this would affect clearance efficiency and cause inconvenience to other travellers. The list of controlled and prohibited items is set out on the ICA 's website.

In summary, Sir, ICA will continue to take the necessary measures to improve clearance efficiency as much as possible without compromising security. But the context is that we cannot afford to relax our security checks as it is no longer just a problem of failing to detect contraband like cigarettes or illegal immigrants looking for work. In the current security environment, any lapse could mean a terrorist slipping into Singapore and setting off a bomb. As our borders are the first line of defence against terrorist penetration, ICA will continue to take the necessary measures to help keep Singapore safe and secure. Whilst MHA agencies will do what they can to alleviate congestion at our land checkpoints, some congestion will be inevitable during peak hours and festive periods. I hope Singaporeans will be understanding.

Mr Ong Kian Min: Sir, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State about the security checks, not the immigration and passport controls. Why do passengers travelling by bus have to alight with all their luggage for scanning, whereas the Police and Customs Officers generally conduct only a cursory check on people travelling in private cars by asking the driver to open the boot of the car. Why is there such a great disparity between these two modes of transport? Are these security checks effective and water-tight? Because if someone wants to smuggle in a small parcel, there are actually a multitude of places in the car that he could hide such a small parcel.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, no checks will be foolproof, but I think we must do whatever we can to prevent any terrorist or goods that will harm Singapore from slipping through.

For bus passengers, the procedure is that when the buses come in, all the passengers will get down with their goods, and they go through the terminal and are checked by using various devices. The checking process is speeded up, eg, by X-ray machines and other equipment that are being used. After that, when they have finished with the checks, they will await at the other side of the hall, not for the bus that they came on but any other bus that is available. So this expedites the process. Otherwise, the passenger will have to look for the bus that he came on and that will clog up the efficiency. That is why the passengers will have to get down with their luggage, do the checks and then catch the next available bus to carry on with their journey.

But for cars, with the 100% checks, all the cars are checked. Of course, the extent will depend on the need to carry out more extensive checks. So some cars are directed to secondary check areas for greater checks. I think the system has worked. It may cause some congestion. But, as I said, the main point is that we have noted this and we are doing our best to speed up efficiency but without compromising security.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Sir, I agree with him that the issue is having more manpower. So I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State how much more manpower does the ICA need to resolve this congestion problem once and for all, and when will that be resolved.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: I am not sure we can expect once-and-for-all solution because, as I said, traffic volume has built up. So we will solve the situation that has arisen. We will engage more manpower. Currently, I am told that because of the measures we have taken arising from the big jams on the 17th and 18th December period, ICA has, for example, gotten more of their personnel who are off duty to perform extra duties. Some have been asked to stay back to do longer hours. So, in terms of bodies of people, about 130 bodies have been added. They are monitoring this. From there, they will assess how many more new people they will need to engage. But, of course, it takes time also to engage and to train them. The point is that currently we have done what is necessary and, I think, those of you who follow the media will know the situation has indeed improved.