SINGAPORE: The recent case where two Singaporean
women were detained and made to do nude squats at a Johor detention
centre for alleged immigration offences would have to be resolved
in accordance with Malaysian laws and rules, said Law and Foreign
Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.
He was replying to a question in Parliament on
Friday about the June incident.
Mr Shanmugam said he understands and shares the
concerns Singaporeans have over the treatment of the two women who
were detained temporarily at the Pekan Nanas Detention Depot.
He added that he is confident the incident would not affect the
overall bilateral ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
Giving a detailed account of what Singapore has done so far on the
case, Mr Shanmugam said Singapore raised concerns officially with
the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a number of
occasions.
He said the Malaysians have assured Singapore that they will
investigate the allegations and convey the outcome to Singapore as
soon as it is ready.
In its last correspondence with Singapore on September 9, the
Malaysian High Commission in Singapore had informed Singapore that
a thorough investigation of the case had been completed.
However, the report is being finalised by the Malaysian Attorney
General's Chambers.
Mr Shanmugam said: "We are all aware of recent media reports that
the Malaysian Minister for Home Affairs has made a statement on
this case to the Malaysian Parliament.
"He was reported to have said that based on the probe, the female
Malaysian immigration officer had carried out the body search on
the two Singaporean women in an orderly manner and the inspection
was according to that stated under the Detention Depot's Standard
Operating Procedure.
"We have sought a clarification from both the Malaysian High
Commissioner in Singapore and the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs about the statement because as far as we are aware, the
investigations have not yet been concluded.
"The Malaysian High Commissioner informed us that it did not have
any further information on the Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs'
statement in the Malaysian Parliament and that his ministry will be
seeking an update from the Malaysian Attorney General's Chambers on
the status of the investigation."
Mr Shanmugam said the Malaysian High Commission here has said it
will provide Singapore with the official report of the
investigation as soon as it is finalised.
He said: "I know that many Singaporeans are anxious for an
expeditious resolution to this case. So are we. We have registered
our concerns with our Malaysian counterparts and reminded them of
their commitment to conduct a thorough investigation and update us
on the outcome of those investigations.
"We will continue to press for the official investigation report
but even as we do this, it is important to bear in mind that this
matter would have to be resolved in accordance with Malaysian laws,
rules and regulations."
Mr Shanmugam also said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
does not keep track of incidents where Singaporeans' passports are
not stamped at the Johor Bahru immigration, unless reported.
The minister also took the opportunity to remind Singaporeans
travelling to Malaysia, in particular those travelling by road to
Johor, to always check and ensure their passports are stamped at
the entry and exit by the Malaysian authorities.
- CNA/al
About the case 
http://sgforums.com/forums/3317/topics/432496