SINGAPORE has tightened up on the Malaysian High Commission's use of VIP lanes at its land checkpoints after several cases of abuse by the Commission's staff.

These abuses included not stopping for immigration clearance, not producing identification, including not carrying a passport.

In one case, a Malaysian High Commission vehicle attempted to abet an immigration offence by ferrying a Malaysian overstayer from Singapore to Johor.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MFA) on Friday set out the new guidelines and the reasons for the change in a letter to Malaysian newspaper, The Star.

The letter was a response to an article published in Friday's edition of The Star, in which the Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore N. Parameswaran complained that the car he was in was stopped, and told to turn back and wait in queue.

Datuk Parameswaran described the incident as embarrassing and called Singapore's new ruling 'unfriendly'.

However, MFA press officer Walter Chia explained in his letter to The Star that Singapore implemented new guidelines at its land checkpoints in conjunction with enhanced security measures.

Malaysian royalty and VIPs continue to enjoy the privilege of VIP lanes at the checkpoints.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.