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Source:
www.mha.gov.sg |
Second Reading Speech by Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng on the Passports
(Amendment) Bill, 16 July 2007 |
¡¡ |
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Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, ¡°That the Bill be now
read a Second time¡±. |
Introduction |
Sir, the Singapore passport is well regarded
internationally because of its strong reputation as a highly secure
document with several anti-tampering features. |
The visa-free entry that Singaporeans currently enjoy in
many countries and the fact that Singapore remains a member of the US
Visa-Waiver Programme attests to the confidence that foreign governments
have in the integrity of our passport. |
However, as the Singapore passport provides easy
visa-free access to many countries, it is also an attractive document
for abuse. |
Criminal and terrorist elements are known to assume
different identities using photo-substituted or fake passports to
facilitate their movement between countries. |
As recent as late March 2007, ICA had detected
foreigners who attempted to use photo-substituted foreign
passports to gain illegal entry into 3rd countries. |
We should also not forget the case of Hambali, the
suspected planner of many terrorist attacks in Indonesia including
the October 2002 Bali bombings, who was caught in 2003. He was
reported to have used a fake Spanish passport for his travels. |
We have been taking and will continue to take the
necessary steps to prevent terrorists and other criminals from
misusing and abusing the Singapore passport. |
On 15 August 2006, we introduced the Singapore
Biometric Passport, or BioPass for short. The BioPass, with its
enhanced security features, will help ensure that the Singapore
passport continues to be regarded as a highly-secure travel
document. |
To ensure that we have the necessary tools to
safeguard the security and integrity of the Singapore passport, we
need to update the Passports Act, which has not been amended since
1971, so that it reflects the realities of the current operating
environment and remains relevant in today¡¯s context. |
Thus, this Bill repeals the existing Act, and
re-enacts a new Passports Act which introduces measures against
the abuse and misuse of Singapore passports and travel documents,
as well as foreign travel documents. |
It also sets out a comprehensive regime for the
issuance and handling of our passports and travel documents. |
Finally, the Bill provides a framework to allow the
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to adopt new
technologies to enhance the security of Singapore passports and
travel documents. |
Regularising the Issuance and Handling of
Singapore Travel Documents |
Lost and Stolen Passports |
Sir, while we have been reminding our citizens to
take good care of their passports, a small number of Singaporeans
still lose or have their passports stolen each year. |
In the current security climate, should a passport
fall into the wrong hands, the consequences could be very severe.
ICA will continue to highlight the importance of safekeeping our
passports. Charging a replacement fee for lost passports is one
way of doing so. |
ICA currently registers the reported loss or theft
of Singapore passports in its database, to ensure that they can no
longer be used for travel. |
However, such passports are not effectively
cancelled as the present Act does not provide for cancellation
under such circumstances. Clause 21 of the Bill rectifies this by
vesting the Controller of Immigration with powers to cancel a
Singapore passport immediately once it is reported lost or stolen. |
It is important for Singaporeans to promptly report
the loss or theft of their passports, as this allows ICA to alert
foreign immigration authorities. |
Through the sharing of information on lost and
stolen passports, we can contribute to curb the abuse of passports
worldwide. |
Clause 45 of the Bill makes it compulsory for
Singaporeans, or a person who has parental responsibility for a
Singaporean aged 16 and below, to report the loss or theft of a
passport within 14 days when he first knows of the fact. |
More..... |
Source:
www.mha.gov.sg News Release 16
Jul 2007 |
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