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| Leaving
a lasting impression |
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| Ms Teo, SSgt Chia and Mr Tee
(fifth, second and first from right) with the
other SuperStar award winners. |
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Furious passengers
are pacified and desperate travellers readily find
a helping hand when they meet Senior Immigration
and Checkpoint Specialist Tee Soon Kay from the
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
(ICA).
This 54-year-old public officer based at Changi Airport Terminal 1 simply has
a way with customers.
Once he stopped a journalist who tried to bring in a carton of duty-free cigarettes
which was against Singapore law. The passenger was very angry when he was stopped.
Mr Tee gently persuaded him to talk things over in his office and managed to
cool him down.
On another occasion, he met a Malaysian lady who had flown in just after midnight
from Detroit. She had forgotten to renew her passport which had expired. Mr Tee
learnt that her aged parents were at the waiting area and asked the immigration
duty officer to grant her a special temporary pass, so that she could meet her
parents who would bring her back to Johor Bahru.
When the pass was granted, Mr Tee helped to retrieve her bags and even pushed
the baggage trolley as she made her way out to meet her parents.
The lady’s parents were very delighted with Mr Tee’s service. Their
complimentary letter was just one of the many compliments he has received since
he first joined the customs inspection team in 1969.
While he admits that it is not easy to balance security concerns with the need
for excellent service delivery, he has proved that it can achieved by adopting
a positive mindset.
He said, “Everyday is a challenge, especially for those at the front-line
at the airport. As Singapore’s ambassadors, we should provide good service
so foreigners will leave with a lasting good impression of Singapore.”
Mr Tee shared that winning his most recent award marks a turning point in his
career. He said, “I was thinking of retiring as I’m reaching 55 in
four months’ time. Now, if I can contribute, I will keep on contributing,
because I hope to help the younger officers.”
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| Next: Kudos
for service champs |
