Measures to Ensure Drivers of Foreign Registered Cars Pay Outstanding HDB and URA Parking Fines before Entry into or Exit from Singapore
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns measures to ensure drivers of foreign-registered cars settle outstanding HDB and URA parking fines, as raised by Mr Yee Chia Hsing. Second Minister for National Development Mr Desmond Lee stated that HDB and URA clamp or tow vehicles with outstanding fines spotted in car parks to compel owners to step forward. Since April 2019, foreign vehicles with multiple outstanding traffic, parking, or emissions fines may be denied entry into Singapore at border checkpoints. As of 26 January 2020, 535 vehicles had been turned away for failing to settle their outstanding fines before entry. These enforcement actions serve to deter foreign motorists from ignoring fines and ensure they are held accountable for their outstanding vehicular offences.
Transcript
25 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.
The Second Minister for National Development (Mr Desmond Lee) (for the Minister for National Development): 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 Yee Chia Hsing (Chua Chu Kang): 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.
Mr Desmond Lee: 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.