Latest news with #NewClearanceConcept
Straits Times
29-07-2025
- Straits Times
Forum: ICA constantly reviews checkpoint operations to enhance traveller experience
We refer to Forum writer Ng Sung Nang's letter ' Improve overall commuter experience at Tuas Checkpoint ' (July 14). The Bus Information Display System was installed at Tuas Checkpoint in 2018 to help travellers locate their buses for re-boarding post-immigration. Immigration clearance then was manual, and it could take as long as 40 minutes for bus travellers to clear immigration during peak hours. Buses would be waiting at the boarding area for travellers to re-board their bus. With the implementation of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's New Clearance Concept, automated immigration clearance is now the norm for all travellers. The time taken for bus travellers to clear immigration during peak hours has dropped significantly to around 10 minutes. As a result, travellers now arrive at the bus boarding area much earlier than the buses. There are no longer many buses parked at the bus bay waiting for travellers to re-board. As travellers no longer need to refer to the Bus Information Display System to locate their buses, we reviewed the need for the system and decommissioned it in February. Work is in progress to dismantle the display boards. We thank Mr Ng for the feedback, and assure the public that ICA constantly reviews our operations to improve the traveller experience at all our checkpoints. Patrick Ong Deputy Director, Corporate Communications Corporate Communications and Service Division Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
MHA appoints new ICA commissioner, CNB director as current leaders step down
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Lian Ghim Hua (left) will be appointed as Commissioner of ICA on Sept 15, 2025, while Mr Sebastian Tan will take over as Director of CNB on Aug 1, 2025. SINGAPORE – The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on July 2 that it is appointing new leaders for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). Current ICA Commissioner Marvin Sim will step down on Sept 15 and later take on another leadership position in the MHA, while Mr Leon Chan, who was appointed acting director of CNB in September 2024 , will step down on Aug 1 . In its news release, MHA highlighted some of Mr Sim's contributions, including his leadership through the Covid-19 pandemic and ICA's multi-year transformation plan to redefine border clearance and service delivery. 'He drove complex border operations in this regard, including the Stay-Home Notice Regime and Safe Travel Office,' MHA said. 'These measures helped safeguard public health and at the same time allowed essential travellers and supplies to flow in and out of Singapore when borders in many parts of the world were closed.' It added that the ICA's New Clearance Concept, implemented under Mr Sim's leadership, saw enhanced border security but has also 'significantly speeded up and eased the immigration clearance process'. Singapore Police Force (SPF) Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations ) Lian Ghim Hua will be appointed as Commissioner of ICA - Designate on Sept 1 . He will take on the commissioner position on Sept 15 . Mr Lian has held several key appointments in SPF, including director of the Operations Department and deputy director of the Criminal Investigation Department. 'As Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Lian led SPF in executing several high-profile security operations in Singapore,' MHA said. This includes the 2023 Presidential Election, Pope Francis' visit in 2024, and the 2025 General Election. Under Mr Lian's leadership, adoption of technology in policing operations was increased. He also strengthened police-community partnership through new volunteer programmes and other initiatives, as well as transformed SPF's regulatory operations through the digitalisation of systems and formulation of policies. 'As SPF's Chief Learning Officer, Mr Lian enhanced SPF's training programmes, infrastructure and systems, including the adoption of simulation technologies to more effectively train police officers,' MHA said. Meanwhile, CNB's acting director Leon Chan will return to SPF after leaving the bureau. He will be appointed Director of the Operations Department - Designate on Aug 1 . Mr Sebastian Tan, currently the senior director of the International Cooperation and Partnerships Division in the MHA headquarters, will take over as CNB director on the same day . Mr Tan has held various key appointments within CNB, including deputy director (Operations), director of Intelligence and director of Enforcement. 'In his appointment as Deputy Director CNB (Operations), Mr Tan oversaw the line divisions and maintained a high tempo of anti-drug enforcement operations,' MHA said. He also oversaw the operationalisation of significant policy and legislative amendments, as well as drove transformation projects in the bureau.
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Straits Times
Intel-led and tech-driven: How the Home Team keeps our streets safe from crimes and drugs
ITC was set up in 2024 to support ICA's New Clearance Concept (NCC), which uses biometrics and data analytics to enhance immigration processes and border security at the land, air and sea checkpoints. With NCC, Singapore residents and visitors leaving the country can clear checkpoints without having to use their passports . NCC was created by ICA with help from Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX), which develops science and technology capabilities for Home Team operations. The result of this joint effort? Travellers enjoy a speedy, seamless clearance experience without compromising on security, SGT Zafirah says. Even as technology reshapes Home Team operations, experienced hands like Mr Ronie Chua Joseph continue to make a difference. After a four-decade long career fighting drug crimes at CNB, he retired in 2015. But the urge to serve remains. Just a few months later, he returned to duty – this time in ICA's intelligence division, bringing his wealth of experience to a new frontier. Now, Mr Joseph co-leads a team of four to track down and arrest individuals who have committed immigration offences. But the fight against crime today is nothing like the unpredictable, high-risk operations of the 1980s, Mr Joseph says. It is now a coordinated, multi-agency effort. 'Some of these immigration offenders may be involved in other offenses, including drug-related or other criminal activities,' Mr Joseph explains. 'We work closely with CNB and other Home Team agencies to conduct multi-agency enforcement operations.' The intelligence-led One Home Team approach is a powerful force, he adds, enabling officers across agencies to respond faster and tackle crimes more effectively. In the fight to keep Singapore safe, the Home Team acts as one – always ready, always protecting our home.
