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Who gets VIP treatment from Singapore |
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Tuesday, 16 September 2008 08:45am |
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©The
Star (Used by permission)
I REFER to your report ‘VIP privileges taken away’ (The Star,
Sept 12).
The Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) implemented new
guidelines at our land checkpoints in conjunction with enhanced security
measures.
Under the new guidelines, members of the Malaysian Royalty and Malaysian VIPs
continue to enjoy the privilege of VIP lanes at the checkpoints.
The privileges accorded to Malaysian VIPs at Singapore’s land checkpoints are
similar to those accorded to Singaporean VIPs at the Malaysian land checkpoints.
However, staff of the Malaysian High Commission no longer enjoy the privilege of
VIP access if they are not accompanying Malaysian VIPs through the checkpoints.
It was necessary to tighten the Malaysian High Commission’s use of the VIP lanes
as there had been a number of incidents involving its staff, such as failing to
stop for immigration clearance, and not producing identification (including not
carrying a passport).
In one case, a Malaysian High Commission vehicle attempted to abet an
immigration offence by ferrying a Malaysian overstayer from Singapore to Johor.
I would also like to point out that the Singapore High Commissioner and
diplomatic staff of the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur do not demand
and are not accorded any special privileges or courtesies at the Singapore and
Malaysian land checkpoints when they travel overland to/from Singapore in the
performance of their official duties.
Prior to implementation of these new measures, the Malaysian High Commission was
given full details of the new security guidelines via diplomatic note on Aug 7.
Malaysian High Commission staff also met Singapore officials to discuss the new
guidelines on Aug 28.
The Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur had also kept the Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Malaysia informed of the new guidelines on Aug 14. The incident on
Sept 6 involving High Commissioner Datuk N. Parameswaran was therefore
unnecessary and regrettable.
However, I wish to clarify that, despite what was reported in your article, the
Tengku Bendahara of Johor was cleared through the VIP lane without unnecessary
delay.
WALTER CHIA,
Press Officer,
Singapore High Commission.
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Circular No 297/2008
