Debate between Tan CJ & Png EH - customs issue

[stargazer]

Update: Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin has fired back at Workers' Party MP Png Eng Huat, after the latter complained about a "bad" ecounter at the Tuas checkpoint last Sunday, where an extra counter at immigration was opened for Mr Tan and his entourage.

In a Facebook post at about 6pm on July 19, Mr Tan stated that the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had "facilitated the clearance for me and my security officers who were carrying their firearms, as well as the residents and volunteers who were with me on my bus".

The group were on a one-day durian trip to Johor Bahru.

Mr Tan added: "Mr Png seems to accept that it's reasonable that our office holders get facilitated, if so, then surely the others in that bus need to be cleared as well so that the bus can leave and not add to the vehicular queues there."

But he noted that Mr Png "carefully omits to mention that he waited for all of 30 mins. I actually bumped into Louis Ng too. He and his delegation were also in the queue for about half an hour or so."

Mr Tan also questioned Mr Png's intentions for publishing the post, stating that the remarks were "aimed at stirring hate and anger, not only to be directed at me, which I can understand politically, but also at my residents and volunteers (who organised as well as helped guide each bus), as well as our officers who secure our borders. It's unfortunate that he and his colleagues chose to politicise the issue."

In a subsequent post published at about 9pm, Mr Png clarified that he is not against the Minister or himself.

He stated: "I am also on the receiving end of hate and anger for bringing this issue out in the open. I don't have an issue with Minister Tan, personally or politically. I have an issue with inequality."

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Tuesday (July 19) that it is normal practice to give expedited clearance to ministers when they travel across the Causeway.

In a Facebook post, Mr Png Eng Huat said he had a "bad" encounter at Tuas checkpoint while returning from a day tour to Desaru with his residents last Sunday (July 17).

He said they were waiting to clear the Singapore custom at the two "overwhelmed" checkpoint counters. A third counter was later opened exclusively for Minister Tan Chuan-Jin and his entourage to clear without joining the queue. The minister had also gone on a similar outing with his residents.

Mr Png added: "One of my residents is 89 years old and another was injured during the tour. If these two elderly residents can wait in queue patiently for their turns, so can all my volunteers and grassroots members."

"After all, we are supposed to enjoy a day of fun together. No one should not be accorded more 'fun'."

In response to media queries, ICA said that Mr Tan was travelling with 20 bus loads of people who were his residents and grassroots leaders.

The authority added that expedited clearance was only given to the bus carrying Mr Tan and his entourage. The other 19 buses carrying his residents joined the queue and were cleared through the normal channels.

Officers will use their judgment on the clearance process when ministers travel with others in a group, ICA added.

ICA's records showed Mr Png was at the same checkpoint for about 30 minutes, and was cleared through immigration.
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If only Tan's entourage (excluding his residents from other buses )were given special clearance, then I think is reasonable. But at least 2 of them bother to spend time out with residents, which is good.

Opinions?

[hkh]

Lesson learnt.........going tour to Malaysia.......join groups with Ministers for faster clearance.......

[CBTG]

If we're minister, we prefer to jam. Take high pay , sleep in the bus better. Jam ! Jam lor. No need work also got pay. Don know like that. Will he be post in facebk ?

[manakoleng]

I think it's an absolutely trivial and needless debate.

[Robson]

certainly reasonable for Minister and above to have express lane/clearance. it is extremely dangerous thus easy target to be in queue or jam. of course we will say there is little risk as no one would want to harm them. but precaution is good.

in Russian, there is this main road that will be blocked and cleared every morning and evening. putin's convoy will speed through from home to office and vice versa.

here our PM in SIA flight taking wefie with fellow Singaporeans.

let's not be petty over a little privileges for them.

[streetsmart73]

sup sup sui

Small matter.

Please look into bigger issue hor

[calvin ong]

Originally Posted by stargazer

In a Facebook post at about 6pm on July 19, Mr Tan stated that the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had "facilitated the clearance for me and my security officers who were carrying their firearms, as well as the residents and volunteers who were with me on my bus".

Mr Tan added: "Mr Png seems to accept that it's reasonable that our office holders get facilitated, if so, then surely the others in that bus need to be cleared as well so that the bus can leave and not add to the vehicular queues there."

Reasonable for Mr Tan as a Minister and his security officers carrying firearms to be expedited for safety reasons.

To include also the residents and volunteers is another matter altogether.
Reason of adding to vehicular queue is just lame

[LauLanChu]

Originally Posted by calvin ong

To include also the residents and volunteers is another matter altogether.

Definitely got to clear the whole bus together, so all can set off. Clear minister and bodyguard first and let the rest go on normal queue mean minister got to wait in the bus, along the lane or take another car home? Simple logic, no argument about it. Just never get the facts right and start complaining, always the case.

[calvin ong]

Originally Posted by LauLanChu

Definitely got to clear the whole bus together, so all can set off. Clear minister and bodyguard first and let the rest go on normal queue mean minister got to wait in the bus, along the lane or take another car home? Simple logic, no argument about it. Just never get the facts right and start complaining, always the case.

U r the one who is plain dumb and always never get your facts right.

Minister cannot wait ?

Is this expediting for security purpose or because Minister is big shot, cannot wait ?

Low Thia Kiang can go to wake alone and sit one two hour.

Sure, you want to ensure security for Minister. Fair enough.
But because he is Minister, he cannot wait ?
Does he wait for his durian ?
Or everyone F off while he eat first with his whole bus

Are you stupid or retarded ? Choose one

[LauLanChu]

Ensure safety? expedite clearance and continue staying on the causeway? What's the point? Got nothing to do with whether minister willing or can wait.

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Tuesday (July 19) that it is normal practice to give expedited clearance to ministers when they travel across the Causeway.