Responding to press queries, an MFA Spokesman confirmed that Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs BG Tan Chin Tiong had met with Malaysian High Commissioner Datuk Salim Hashim, at the latter's request, to discuss the issue of traffic congestion at the Causeway.
They agreed that traffic congestion is nothing new at the Woodlands Checkpoint. BG Tan informed Datuk Salim that every morning, during the peak hours, many people rush in from Johor Bahru to Singapore for various purposes. Johor Customs does not operate 24 hours round the clock as Singapore does. Hence, the sudden release of lorries from Johor Customs during peak hours further aggravates the congestion.
BG Tan also pointed out to Datuk Salim that immigration offenders had taken this opportunity to slip into Singapore during the peak hours. Therefore, Singapore Immigration Registration (SIR) has to step up additional immigration checks with the view to curbing illegal entry into Singapore. Last year, more than 14,700 illegal immigrants were caught and the great majority of them (70%) came through the Woodlands Checkpoint by buses, lorries or motorcycles. For the first 6 months of this year, with the stepped up enforcement by SIR, more than 5,500 were caught. Additional immigration checks are thus necessary to deter the entry of illegal immigrants.
BG Tan and Datuk Salim Hashim agreed on the importance of immigration checks to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants. Both Singapore and Malaysia share the same concerns over the influx of illegal immigrants, which has the potential of creating various problems.
BG Tan also briefed Datuk Salim on the impending opening of the new Woodlands Checkpoint on 18 July 1999. The new facilities will allow Singapore to enforce complete checks, with the objective of screening out illegal immigrants. Congestion should be more manageable with the facilities at the new Woodlands Checkpoint.
The MFA Spokesman added that Singapore welcomes the Malaysian Foreign Minister's remarks that Malaysia would like to help Singapore overcome administrative difficulties and to do everything possible to facilitate the movement of people from both countries. This can be achieved if Malaysian customs facilities can operate on a 24-hour basis as this would reduce the congestion of lorries in the morning. They can also carry out stringent checks on lorries for illegal immigrants who are smuggled into Singapore.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
15 JULY 1999