<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>MFA explains checkpoint incident
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Malaysian High Commissioner had complained about 'unfriendly' new ruling </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Jeremy Au Yong
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->SINGAPORE has tightened up on the Malaysian High Commission's use of VIP lanes at its land checkpoints after several cases of abuse by the Commission's staff.
These abuses included not stopping for immigration clearance and not producing identification, including not carrying a passport.
In one case, a Malaysian High Commission vehicle attempted to abet an immigration offence by ferrying a Malaysian overstayer from Singapore to Johor.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) yesterday set out the new guidelines and the reasons for the change in a letter to a Malaysian newspaper, The Star.
The letter was a response to an article published in yesterday's edition of The Star, in which Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore N. Parameswaran complained that the car he was in was stopped, and told to turn back and wait in line.
Datuk Parameswaran described the incident as embarrassing and called Singapore's new ruling 'unfriendly'.
MFA press officer Walter Chia explained in his letter to The Star that Singapore implemented the new guidelines at its land checkpoints in conjunction with enhanced security measures.
Malaysian royalty and VIPs continue to enjoy the privilege of VIP lanes at the checkpoints. However, staff of the Malaysian High Commission no longer enjoy that privilege if they are not accompanying Malaysian VIPs.
Mr Chia also pointed out that the Singapore High Commissioner and diplomatic staff do not demand and are not accorded any special privileges at the land checkpoints when they travel for their official duties.
He pointed out that prior to the implementation of the new measures, the Malaysian High Commission was given full details in a diplomatic note dated Aug 7. The Commission staff also met Singapore officials for a discussion on Aug 28.
The Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur informed Malaysia's Foreign Ministry of the new guidelines on Aug 14.
Mr Chia said the incident on Sept 6 involving Datuk Parameswaran was therefore 'unnecessary and regrettable'.
The article in The Star also claimed that a car carrying the Tengku Bendahara of Johor was stopped and had clearance problems.
Mr Chia clarified that the Tengku Bendahara was cleared through the VIP lane without unnecessary delay. [email protected]
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Malaysian High Commissioner had complained about 'unfriendly' new ruling </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Jeremy Au Yong
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->SINGAPORE has tightened up on the Malaysian High Commission's use of VIP lanes at its land checkpoints after several cases of abuse by the Commission's staff.
These abuses included not stopping for immigration clearance and not producing identification, including not carrying a passport.
In one case, a Malaysian High Commission vehicle attempted to abet an immigration offence by ferrying a Malaysian overstayer from Singapore to Johor.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) yesterday set out the new guidelines and the reasons for the change in a letter to a Malaysian newspaper, The Star.
The letter was a response to an article published in yesterday's edition of The Star, in which Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore N. Parameswaran complained that the car he was in was stopped, and told to turn back and wait in line.
Datuk Parameswaran described the incident as embarrassing and called Singapore's new ruling 'unfriendly'.
MFA press officer Walter Chia explained in his letter to The Star that Singapore implemented the new guidelines at its land checkpoints in conjunction with enhanced security measures.
Malaysian royalty and VIPs continue to enjoy the privilege of VIP lanes at the checkpoints. However, staff of the Malaysian High Commission no longer enjoy that privilege if they are not accompanying Malaysian VIPs.
Mr Chia also pointed out that the Singapore High Commissioner and diplomatic staff do not demand and are not accorded any special privileges at the land checkpoints when they travel for their official duties.
He pointed out that prior to the implementation of the new measures, the Malaysian High Commission was given full details in a diplomatic note dated Aug 7. The Commission staff also met Singapore officials for a discussion on Aug 28.
The Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur informed Malaysia's Foreign Ministry of the new guidelines on Aug 14.
Mr Chia said the incident on Sept 6 involving Datuk Parameswaran was therefore 'unnecessary and regrettable'.
The article in The Star also claimed that a car carrying the Tengku Bendahara of Johor was stopped and had clearance problems.
Mr Chia clarified that the Tengku Bendahara was cleared through the VIP lane without unnecessary delay. [email protected]
