Singaporeans express “extreme disappointment” over having to scan thumbprints at Tuas & Woodlands checkpoints

Singaporeans responding to Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) statement that car travellers will now have to scan their thumbprints to clear immigration at Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints have expressed “extreme disappointment” online at the initiative which they believe will worsen traffic jams along the Causeway.

The ICA said in a statement today that the BioScreen system, which captures the thumbprints of those arriving at and departing from Singapore’s checkpoints, will be progressively implemented at car counters at the two land checkpoints – this is to allow travellers to familiarise themselves with the new process.

Beside the fear of longer jams, frustrated netizens also opined that the new initiative may be troublesome for children, the disabled and the elderly and said that the new requirement seems to be aimed at increasing the burden for travellers instead of alleviating the stress of commuting between Singapore and Johor Bahru via cars.

Calling the new initiative retarded, netizens expressed concerns over the hygiene aspect of hundreds of commuters touching the same thumbprint scanners, as well:

(click on the images below to enlarge)

Launched in April last year, the BioScreen system has been rolled out across various land checkpoints for train and bus travellers, as well as for lorries and goods vehicles. The ICA said on the new system:

“Security at our checkpoints is ICA’s top priority. The BioScreen system is an important measure, as it enables ICA’s verification of travellers’ identities to be more robust.”