Yip Hon Weng on Immigration (Amendment) Bill

Following the challenges posed by the global pandemic, it is heartening to note that all of Singapore’s checkpoints are once again bustling with activities, said MP Yip Hon Weng. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Sep 18), he said the proposed legislation “demonstrates our commitment” to utilising technology and digitalisation to enhance the operations of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). It seeks to improve the efficiency and productivity of immigration processes whilst upholding stringent controls to ensure that the right individuals enter Singapore, he added. Mr Yip also sought clarifications on the Bill. He wanted to know how the adoption of the New Clearance Concept (NCC) will impact the future of passports and data security measures. He asked if such technologies will eventually render physical passports irrelevant. Mr Yip wanted to know how various agencies are working to raise the resilience of Singapore’s digital solutions against potential scams and frauds. He also wanted to know how ICA intends to address the needs of people who might not be digitally adept and ensure that no one is left behind in the shift towards NCC. Mr Yip pointed out that the mechanisms to safeguard data are of paramount importance. He asked ICA to provide more information, such as how long personal data will be stored and what measures are in place against potential breaches. Turning to the collection of advance data, Mr Yip wanted to know how the Government plans to address the concerns of passengers that some bus companies lack the necessary infrastructure to secure their personal data, as well as the initial potential congestion that may arise at the land checkpoints in the shift to digital permits and passes.