SINGAPORE: Singaporeans will get a new biometric passport by
October, and passport numbers will be changed so that they are
different from those for the identity card.
Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said this in parliament when he
gave some details of the enhanced measures to fight terrorism, of
which ensuring the security of Singapore passports is one
measure.
Mr Wong said because both the IC and passport have the same number,
it has posed some problems on tracking passports when they are
lost.
This could lead to them being misused.
Mr Wong also said the validity of passports will be shortened from
10 years to 5.
He assured the House that existing passports will still be
valid.
The price of the new passports has not been determined but he hopes
it will not be more than the current charge for making one.
Mr Wong also said iris recognition will be fully implemented at the
land checkpoints for the clearance of motorcyclists, and this could
be extended to other motorists in future.
He also gave details of enhanced cargo screening, like using
radiographic equipment, and increased maritime security.
As for soft targets in Singapore, the ministry will dedicate a new
unit to patrol MRT trains and stations by the second half of the
year.
The police are also working with the bus operators to enhance and
link up the CCTV monitoring at bus terminals with the police
system.
The police are also working on extending the police CCTV coverage
to other parts of Singapore.
Mr Wong also raised a new area of concern - that of pre-paid phone
cards.
Studies have shown that terrorists, like the JI and the Tamil
Tigers, have used pre-paid phone cards extensively because of the
anonymity these cards offer.
Singapore will study regulatory controls implemented by some
countries, like Switzerland. - CNA
