Debated in Parliament on 3 Feb 2020.
Mr Yee Chia Hsing asked the Minister for National Development whether there are measures to ensure that foreign registered cars pay their outstanding HDB and URA parking fines before entry into, or exit out of, Singapore.
Sir, when foreign-registered vehicles with outstanding fines are spotted at HDB and URA car parks, HDB and URA will clamp or tow away these vehicles so that their owners will step forward to settle the outstanding fines.
With effect from 1 April 2019, foreign-registered vehicles with a number of outstanding fines for traffic, parking or vehicular emissions offences may be denied entry into Singapore. As of 26 January 2020, 535 foreign-registered vehicles had been turned away at our checkpoints for failing to settle their outstanding fines before entering Singapore.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister for reply because when we follow some of the Facebook groups, they always put screenshots of foreign vehicles with outstanding traffic and parking fines, both URA and HDB. So, I think it gives a wrong impression that the Malaysian vehicles, they do not have to pay their fine and there is no enforcement. So, I really hope for stricter enforcement to deter these vehicles from flagrantly not paying the fines.
Sir, if HDB or URA identify these vehicles in the carparks, as I have said, they will clamp or tow them away, so that the owners have to step forward and settle these outstanding fines. And now with this rule where they can be prevented from entering Singapore, I think they will take it very seriously indeed.
PAPERCUTS