We were told to unload our four golf bags from the car boot which the officer then proceeded to check. As I mumbled to my friends that it was a waste of time, the officer turned around in an assertive manner to remind us that all this was necessary for security.

Thereafter, he told us to open all our golf bags for inspection.

Even though I felt there was no way a man was going to hide in a Boston bag or among our golf clubs in our golf bags, I did not want to be seen as challenging his authority or obstructing his duty.

I apologised profusely and we were allowed to load our four golf bags and Boston bags back into the car.

We were then instructed to join the queue in front of a lone laptop computer for fingerprint screening. In the queue were a few children and a woman as well.

We soon began to realise the full extent of the time and effort required to clear the many delivery trucks as well as the many commuters that go through both the Tuas and the Causeway checkpoints daily.

That day, there were not many cars going through the Tuas checkpoint and we took about 30 minutes to clear the whole security process.

As we carried on with our journey, we discussed how effective and efficient security clearance could minimise disruptions to life and businesses.

Tightened security clearance takes up more time thus causing more traffic jams. Effective clearance done efficiently can minimise unduly long jams that could impact on everyone's lives and a country's economy, which may be what a terrorist wants to achieve.

We have to thank the many people, including that immigration officer, for their tireless effort to be thorough in their work for the sake of our security. But just a gentle reminder to all these people to also remain friendly as tourism is a big industry for Singapore.

Chua Hou Thye

PEEK?A?BOO

'There was no way a man was going to hide in a Boston bag or among our golf clubs in our golf bags.'