RETIREE Ang Heng Soon checked in at the Tiger Airways counter using his son's passport. The counter officer issued him a boarding pass in his own name.

AT PASSENGER AREA

The Certis Cisco Airport Police officers on duty checked Mr Ang's boarding pass and the passport he had, and cleared him to enter the restricted area.

AT IMMIGRATION

At the enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System, Mr Ang failed the fingerprint verification checks and could not pass. He was referred to an immigration duty officer who looked at the passport, did a 'face-to-face verification', and cleared him to go.

WHAT ICA CHIEF SAYS

'As recently as last Friday, in my dialogue with the Airport Command officers, I reiterated the need for them to stay vigilant, follow the standard operational procedures set to guide them in their work and not to allow mistakes to happen.

'However, the ICA officer has not done his job properly. I sincerely apologise for this lapse.

'I take a serious view of the matter and have personally looked into it. The officer responsible has been relieved of his duty and will be suspended from duty pending investigation.'

Commissioner of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority Eric Tan