SINGAPORE : Singapore is studying controls on the sale of
pre-paid phonecards to step up its fight against terrorism.
The issue was raised in Parliament recently when studies showed
terrorists like the Jemaah Islamiyah and Tamil Tigers have been
using such cards extensively because of the anonymity they
offer.
One shop at Serangoon Road sells more than 10,000 pre-paid phone
cards a week.
Its customers are mostly foreign workers.
Ms Doris Ong, Shopowner of World of Phonecards Centre, said: "It is
difficult because there is a lot of customers for us and then some
of the customers, they do not like to register and this is just a
pre-paid card. It is not every monthly bill, so they hope that they
do not need to register."
But now registration may be necessary to prevent terrorists from
using such cards.
Industry players are for stricter controls to assist the government
in the fight against terrorism.
Their main concern, however, is who will absorb the cost that will
result from these stricter controls?
One company which operates more than 20 shops in the Serangoon area
feels their feedback is important when considering stricter
regulations.
Mr Sng Kim Hock, President and CEO of Telcom United, said: "The
government must ensure that it does not add up to our cost, our
efforts and in submitting those papers to the authorities. It had
to make it easier for us but whatever it is, who is going to absorb
all these costs? As an SME, the margin is already thin
enough."
Customers say they do not mind absorbing part of the costs.
"This policy is good. It keeps Singapore safe and as a customer, I
don't mind registering because there is this tracking and I know
that all the users are registered and everybody can be
tracked."
"It's okay with me because it can help the Singapore country to
deal with all those terorists and also all the neighbouring
countries can also help and if the other countries can implement
that, it will be better."
Singapore telcos have already been getting customers to register
for pre-paid phonecards.
For smaller players, they say details need to be ironed out, but
agree that it is a step in the right direction to keep Singapore
safe. - CNA