2,500 visitors refused entry at Singapore’s checkpoints every month: Shanmugam

[FireOpal]

The Multi-Modal Biometric System was introduced into Singapore's border screening regime in July 2020, Mr Shanmugam noted.

"First-time visitors will have their facial, iris and fingerprint images captured at immigration clearance, and that allows us to better detect repeat visitors who may try and come in using multiple identities or impersonated identities," he said.

"For foreign visitors, this is usually done, obviously, on the first occasion they visit Singapore. Our automated gates are generally able to detect forged passports as well."



REGISTERED BIOMETRICS

In Amir Hamza's case, Mr Shanmugam said the Internal Security Department had placed him on its watchlist using his name, due to his past statements promoting religious intolerance, and his reported involvement in a pro-Al-Qaeda organisation in his home country.

"He applied for a visa to enter Singapore using a passport using a name that was different from what we had in our database, and therefore that other name was not on our watchlist, and he used that same passport on Aug 9 to come into Singapore. As this was his first visit to Singapore, we did not have his biometrics," he said, explaining why the Bangladeshi preacher was not detected at entry.

Moving forward, he will be detected if he tries to re-enter Singapore again, regardless of what passport or name he goes under, as his biometrics are now registered, said Mr Shanmugam.

He added that Singapore takes border security very seriously and ICA continuously augments its border screening regime.

Mr Shanmugam said that while no system is foolproof, there are different levels of checks in place to ensure security at the borders.

"But it is always possible that a small number will get through despite the several levels of checks," he said.

"There are about 600,000 travellers every day, coming into Singapore, across all our checkpoints. We have to develop a framework for picking up some people of concern while allowing the vast majority to clear as quickly as possible.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/amir-hamza-bangladeshi-preacher-singapore-border-security-shanmugam-4595216

[FireOpal]

Shammy dog said the guy used a passport with different name, then what about his fingerprints not detected by the Immigration?? 

[No guessing game]

That means 3m we have here all are elites best of thr best in the world?

[Arctic]

What a meaningless figure

[jim889]

Shammy dog said the guy used a passport with different name, then what about his fingerprints not detected by the Immigration??

he said he neber cum to sg b4 so no record of finger print

if he dare to cum again .. the system will catch.. u think so?