ICA issues reminder after social media complaint went viral
A photograph Facebook user P J Wong posted along with his Oct 14 post titled "Know your rights".
SINGAPORE – Referring to a viral complaint on social media about being singled out for a random luggage check at Changi Airport, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) today (Oct 23) reminded travellers that firm action will be taken against those who do not comply with security checks.
Facebook user P J Wong wrote in his social media post, which went viral on Oct 14, that he had refused multiple times to have his belongings screened, and hassled with an ICA officer as he tried to take a video on the scene.
“ICA officers are empowered by law to conduct travel document and baggage checks on all travellers,” the ICA said in a statement, adding that checkpoints are Singapore’s first line of defence.
“Additional checks and/or interviews may be conducted, when necessary. Photography and videography at certain areas within the checkpoints are not permitted, and there are clear signage to advise travellers accordingly.”
In his post titled “Know your rights”, P J Wong detailed that he “jokingly” asked ICA officer Eugene Ng why he was being picked for a bag scan, and later raised his voice when he did not get a quick response.
P J Wong said the ICA officer then took down his passport details for raising his voice. He was then asked to proceed to the search room for his belongings to be checked, which he said he refused multiple times.
“At this point, afraid I would be dragged away against my will, I started taking video of the events that would follow,” P J Wong said in the post which he took down by Monday (Oct 19).
“He tried to snatch my phone but I reminded him of my rights to take images of public places including airports and that even the police have no rights to take away my phone unless they have a warrant.”
The day’s episode ended when a superior of the ICA officer attended to the commotion and let him go “in 10 seconds”, said P J Wong.
“Now the truth is clear. I did nothing wrong and officer Eugene Ng was just being an a**!”
Said Mr Ronnie Tan, the Head of Communications at the ICA, today: “The vast majority of travellers understand and support these security requirements. For travellers who refuse to comply with the security checks, ICA will not hesitate to take firm action against them, in accordance to the law."
“ICA would like to remind all travellers to comply with the instructions of our checkpoint officers when using the checkpoints. Together, we can keep Singapore safe and secure.”
After taking down the Facebook post that went viral, P J Wong expressed his regret in another Facebook post with an apology.
“I should not have asked that one question (either as a joke or not) to ICA officer Eugene Ng on why he had picked me to scan my belongings instead of the many others who were together with me. I know he was just doing his job to keep our country safe,” P J Wong said. “I also wish to thank officer Ng’s superior for swiftly ending the matter immediately upon his arrival at the work station.”
