KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — Visitors to Singapore who fail to meet the government’s requirements for an entry pass will not be allowed into the island state, its Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said.
Entry to Singapore, it added, is not considered a right of any foreigner.
“A visitor’s entry into Singapore is neither automatic nor a right,” the authority said in an email to Malay Mail Online.
“Each case is assessed on its own merits. Visitors must fulfil our entry requirements before they can be considered for entry. Those who are ineligible for a Visit Pass will be refused entry,” it added.
The ICA was responding to questions on columnist Ridhuan Tee Abdullah’s claim in a Malay daily on Monday that he was treated like a terrorist by Singapore’s immigration officials when they recently refused to allow him into the republic.
Among others, the authority was asked to respond to Tee’s “terrorist” remark and state its reasons for blocking the Malaysian as well as why these were not communicated to him.
But citing policy, the ICA declined to comment on Tee’s case.
“The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority does not comment on individual cases for reasons of confidentiality,” it said.
When asked to detail Singapore’s entry requirements, the ICA said these were listed on its website.
The website states that travellers to Singapore must have a passport with at least six months validity; a Singapore visa if applicable; sufficient funds for the intended stay period; confirmed return tickets; entry facilities to onward destinations; a completed disembarkation/embarkation card; and a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (for travellers who were recently in countries endemic for yellow fever).
It also lists basic rules for baggage clearance and reminds those on visit passes that they cannot engage in any form of business or paid employment while in Singapore and that overstaying is a punishable offence.
In his column in Sinar Harian, Tee claimed his photograph and thumbprint were taken at Singapore’s land checkpoint at Woodlands when he and a friend recently travelled to the neighbouring country on personal business.
He added that after two hours of questioning, he was given a letter informing him that he would not be allowed to enter Singapore but no reasons were given.
The controversial Muslim convert then alleged that it was likely because of his comments on the “ultra kiasu”, a term he often uses on members of the predominantly Chinese opposition party DAP.
