I have always wondered why the barriers at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints are not activated only upon payment, but are instead manually activated by the Customs officers checking the passports ("Stiffer fines for motorists who evade tolls, fees"; July 10).

Using the former method - which is what Malaysia does - eliminates the possibility of cheating or of people simply forgetting to pay.

It also becomes one less burden to the immigration officers, whose main job is security, not fee collection.

Foong Swee Fong