Visitors who break silence at Batam immigration queue told to go home on next boat

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[h=1]Shhh! Be silent at Batam immigration queue or be sent back home[/h][h=2]Visitors who break silence at immigration queue told to go home on next boat
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Signs showing prohibited behaviour at the immigration checkpoint of the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal are plastered all over the pillars. -- ST PHOTO: DANSON CHEONG

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Signs showing prohibited behaviour at the immigration checkpoint of the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal are plastered all over the pillars. -- ST PHOTO: DANSON CHEONG



http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20140817/ST_20140817_BATAM17_585308e.jpg
-- ST PHOTO: DANSON CHEONG





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By Danson Cheong
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<!-- ****Story IMU ad in content Section >> Begin --> <!-- ****Story IMU ad in content Section >> End --> <!-- ****Story content Section >> Begin --> Thud, thud, silence, and again, thud, thud.

These days only the sound of officers stamping passports breaks the quiet at the immigration queue at the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal.

Ferry passengers from Singapore and Malaysia, one moment boisterous and chatty after disembarking, automatically zip their lips when they enter. To speak, even in a whisper, could lead to deportation - and ruined holiday plans.

Ferry operators and passengers told The Sunday Times that Batam immigration officers have recently begun enforcing silence strictly.



- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/si...-queue-or-be-sent-back-h#sthash.QJ9tohG7.dpuf