Immigration breach, public transport issues to be aired in Parliament on Monday

Security breaches, which led to a Malaysian woman slipping past Woodlands Checkpoint and driving into a ministry's compound later, will be discussed in Parliament when it sits on Monday. -- ST FILE PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Security breaches, which led to a Malaysian woman slipping past Woodlands Checkpoint and driving into a ministry's compound later, will be discussed in Parliament when it sits on Monday. -- ST FILE PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Security breaches, which led to a Malaysian woman slipping past Woodlands Checkpoint and driving into a ministry's compound later, will be discussed in Parliament when it sits on Monday.

MPs have filed five questions on the case, which hit the headlines in recent weeks.

Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) and Nominated MP Eugene Tan are seeking updates on investigations into how Malaysian Nurul Ruhana Ishak, 27, had managed to drive through the checkpoint without clearance on January 18 and evade the police for three days.

She was eventually nabbed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs compound which she had tresspassed. No passport or identification was found on her during her arrest.

Ms Lee Li Lian (Punggol East) and Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong, both of the Workers' Party, have tabled questions on attempted immigration checkpoint evasions in the past three years, and how much of the security functions at these checkpoints are outsourced to auxiliary police or private entities.

MPs have also tabled questions on work place deaths and a spate of recent public transport breakdowns.

Mr Alex Yam (Chua Chu Kang GRC) is asking the Transport Minister what his ministry intends to do to reassure the public and boost confidence in Singapore's transport network.

Parliament will also debate a proposed public order bill, meant to maintain safety and security in the Little India area after last December's riot.

The Public Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Bill seeks to give law enforcement officers the power to search and interview individuals entering the area for alcohol and prohibited items, and empower officers to ban individuals from being in the area during specified times if their presence is deemed to potentially threaten public order.

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