Private marinas forced to bankroll border security

Operators now required to erect barriers and deploy police out of pocket.

New amendments to the Immigration Act imposes stricter security requirements for private marina operators at gazetted checkpoints.

The government can now force the owners of facilities such as privately-owned marinas to provide and fund specific security facilities and resources for the proper, secure and efficient functioning of these authorised checkpoints. For example, ICA may require the operators to enact barriers for entry and exit, and deploy Auxiliary Police Officers at these premises, said Mr S Iswaran, Minister in Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry.

"These operators will also have to meet our border security standards, based on the prevailing threat assessment," he said, adding that operators can be made to fund the provision of immigration clearance by ICA, at these privately-owned premises and will include marinas such as Raffles Marina and the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.

The government agency ICA will also be empowered to fine errant operators for security lapses. Errant operators will be subject to fines of not less than $100,000 and not more than $200,000. In the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding $2,000 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction, may be imposed.