A recent encounter makes me wonder what is the meaning of productivity????
I was smoking outside HDB Hub when 2 officers from the Suppression Custom apporached me. They have requested to inspect the cigarette. No question asked and I gave it to them. As a regular visitor to Malaysia, I usually will bring back a pack on my way home. Passing the immigration custom has never been an issue even with the pack of cigarette. But then, this is not the case when one consumed it openly in public and tax wasn't paid when entering Singapore.
I told the officers that it was my last cigarette from my last visit to Malaysia. They asked for proof of receipt which I no longer kept. They checked my bag and couldn't find any more cigarettes. Then they issued me a letter requesting me to pay a visit to 21 Keppel Road and produce proof of visit to Malaysia. Hmmm..... I wonder why?
Upon my visit to Keppel Road, the officer attended to me inform me that the proof is insufficient. It should be this, that & etc..... I wonder why I wasn't told in the first place. Then she told me I can make an appeal which I don't think I have the time to waste on this matter. I rather pay the fine there and then rather then go through all these. They officers who caught me could have offered me an alternative, to pay now or appeal.
The lady officer explained to me that without paying taxes, all cigarettes brought into Singapore are illegal. For those regular visitors to Malaysia, please bear in mind about this clauses. I offered to pay the fine of $500 and their system wasn't able to accept the payment at that very moment as it was not updated. She suggested that I make my payment at AXS probably 2 days later.
About 30 mins ago, I received a call from the lady officer who attended to me earlier. She informed me that the system is updated and it is now possible to make the payment. But in case the system didn't work well when I make my payment, I will have to return to 21 Keppel to do so personally. ??????????????????????????????????????????
I wonder what is all this about? ICA never bothered about cigarettes without paying taxes. Ignorant people like me think that since ICA never stopped so it is not an issue. Even offer to pay a fine is so difficult. Do these people think we are so free???
I have heard enough from people dealing with certain authorities. Appeal being misplaced and received a Court order. Departments pushing responsibilities. Conversations with officers and emails received from same department / authority have different requirements & etc...... If the promotion of Productivity is in this way, think most of us have done it - "Productivity".
