Breach raises serious questions

Yesterday's article ("Custody battle: Mum sneaked into S'pore by boat to get son") raises several questions.

First, why was the mother able to sneak into Singapore undetected? What if it had been terrorists or refugees who exploited this channel to enter our country? A lack of vigilance poses serious risks to our security and damages our reputation as one of the world's safest cities.

Second, how could the breach have happened since Raffles Marina is not an authorised landing place between 5pm and 9am, which was when the woman sneaked in? Are there any immigration checkpoints at Raffles Marina?

Third, why was this breach not revealed to the public then, having come to light only in a court case?

Our Police Coast Guard is equipped with the technology and equipment to detect and arrest intruders, so it is puzzling that the woman entered Singapore without hindrance.

This incident is similar to the one in which a Malaysian sneaked into Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint earlier this year ("Malaysian drove through checkpoint without clearance"; Jan 22). Haven't our immigration authorities learnt their lesson?

The Home Affairs Ministry should give the public more information about the latest case, as well as reveal the measures taken to prevent a recurrence.

Francis Cheng

This article was published on Sept 6 in The Straits Times.

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