"Visit pass applied for"

　On 20.11.1966, I was served a banishment order in Qeenstown Prison.

　After my release in the jail, I had to leave Singapore within 24 hours.

　I married my Singapore girlfriend on 25.5.1969 in my village house.

　After two weeks, my wife left my village home town Kluang, she stayed with me in Petaling Jaya. Day time I worked as a laborer in a construction site, night time I worked in night club; usually I reached home in midnight.

　My wife was alone in the rented small backroom; we had no money to buy TV.

　One night, I came back from night club in midnight, I noticed my wife was so sad and I asked:

　"Why… can't you sleep earlier and… wait. for me?" I said in feeble voce.

　 "I…am so… lonely." My wife wept and murmured: "I'm thinking of my parents and my Singapore house."

　I sat nearer to her, holding her hand and I said:

　"You're pregnant, you shouldn't be too sad." I paused a while and added: "You should go back to your Singapore, after give birth, you come back again."

　My wife went back to Singapore, my mother-in-law took good care of her.

　On 29.3.1970, my wife gave birth a baby girl in KK Hospital Singapore. My signature needed for the baby birth corticate. I packed with my restricted passport, heading to Singapore at night. When I reached Woodland checkpoint, I doubted I could pass. Thank god, with the mercy of Singapore government and the kindness of the immigration staff, I was allowed to enter. At dawn, I reached KK Hospital. After signing the birth certificate, I delivered my wife with baby girl to my mother-in-law's house. I was very poor then; I had no money to buy milk and cloth for my baby, my wife and my mother-in-law took good care of the baby.

　In 1977, I went to Singapore High Commission at strait building, Leboh Pasar Besar, Kuala Lumpur. A young girl entertained me and she asked: " What can I help you?" She treated me so good.

　"I intend to go to Singapore." I said in feeble voice.

　"You can go with your passport." She looked at me with attempt at a smile.

　"I was banished to enter your country" I dragged myself to a corner, ceased a minute and I continued "I wish to apply a visit pass."

　After a moment's silence. The young girl went in for about 10 minutes and she came out and told me to write in to apply. I requested a paper and I wrote a letter on the sport and submitted in.

　Two weeks later, on 2.12.1977, I reached Singapore High Commission counter.

　"Has my application of visit pass been approved?" I asked.

　The young girl went in to see her boss, they made a long-distance call to Singapore. I waited half an hour; the young girl handed a letter to me. I looked at the letter with the favorable reply: "I am pleased to inform you that you are now allowed to enter Singapore with your Malaysia passport". Holding the letter, I left the young girl with thanks.

　The letter mentioned: 'I can go to Singapore with my Malaysia passport'; I must apply an International passport then.

　I went to the Malaysia Immigration Office in Kuala Lumpur. After submitted in my application form, I waited about 3 months (for home department's clearance order).

　The official called me for interviewed, after interview, I waited another two weeks I received an international passport for one year (yearly renewal).

　I entered Singapore on 21.7.1978 with my wife and two children. I was so happy to see the new face of Singapore garden city. I visited Mr. N, my good friend. He was working in immigration Department, he was busy, I had no chance to spent him a dinner as a token of appreciation for his help when I was working in Singapore during holiday (I stayed in his warehouse three months with free dinner).

　On 21.7.1979, the 3rd time I intended to visit Singapore, Before I entered Wood land, I called Mr. N and informed him my journey and my intention to visit him and spending him a dinner.

　"What passport you are using?" Mr. N asked.

　"International passport." I answered.

　"Give me your car no, I'll be there to receive you."

　I gave my car no for him. The moment I reached the international passport lane, my car was blocked, I was ordered to part my car at the special parking lot. I was escorted by a security guard to see a young Chinese official who stood at the entrance of the immigration hall. This young man looked at me with piercing eyes; with a glance at my passport and he shouted: "are you coming to rob? You are banished."

　"I come for holiday with my family members" I said.

　"Go in to see my superior."

　I was guided to a room, I waited hours; then a medium age man opened my passport and keyed in the particular in his computer, then he chopped my passport with 3 endorsement with 'visit pass applied for'; and I was ordered to turn back by bus. I murmured and I showed him the letter from Singapore high commission, the official no intention to look at it. I walked back to my car, my old mother, my children had suffered hours in the car.

　I turned my car back with despair.

　Backed to Kuala Lumpur, I went to the Singapore High Commission to clarify my 'pass'. The polite young girl was not there, A new medium age receptionist was reluctant to handle my case. Once I showed her the endorcement in my passport and the letter issued by the High Commission; she stepped backward, she looked at me with terror-stricken eyes. When I asked: "why I was not allowed to enter?", she dragged herself to a corner and she wrinkled her brow, thought for a moment and said loudly: "I can't answer!"

　Holding my document, I walked out the building as unwelcome terrorist.

　In 1981,1982 I used my international passport with 'visit pass applied for' to travel in Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan. When I joined the local tour in Taiwan cities, the tour guide noticed my passport with Singapore endorsement. At night, he came to my hotel and tested me.

　"Do you like to read communist book? Now you can get all sorts of book in Taiwan."

　"I don't like to read book, I intend to travel and sight-seeing." I said.

　"Have you read communist book?"

　"No." I answered.

　"Very interesting, you should read."

　"I'm busy at admiring Taiwan woman; very beautiful, very interesting." I said calmly.

　When my eyes fixed up on him, he murmured with an attempt at a smile.

　Every year on the Chinese New Year eve, I stood at the departure hall to wave my hand to see my wife and children off to Singapore for reunion with her parents. One day I longed to see my parent-in-law; they were old and weak. I applied 'visit pass' to visit my parent-in-law on human ground. Later, I received a letter from Singapore Immigration Department which stated that my request for entry to Singapore was not approved.

　My father-in-law was sick in 1986, when he was lying on bed, I had no chance to visit him. He passed away and I had to go for funeral. No one dared to apply 'special pass' for me; except my cousin, she walked in the Singapore Immigration office, paid $500.00, and she signed as guarantor for my entry. On 27.12.1986, I landed in Changi Airport, I stepped in Singapore land and I paid my last respect to my father-in-law.

　When my mother-in-law broke her leg and lying in hospital, I applied 'visit pass' in several occasions; my pass was not granted. I intended to deliver her to my Kuala Lumpur house and took care of her; but her doctor refused my mother-in-law to be delivered from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur as she was not fit to travel.

　My mother-in-law helped me to solve our difficulties when I married her daughter; while she was lying on bed, I had to take care of her; I had put attempts, but in vain.

　I had no chance to see her, when she was in critical condition and waiting my last visit.

　My banishment order was lifted in late August 1995. It was too late; my mother-in-law had already passed away without seeing me.