In forceUpdated to 30 Sep 2026

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Cross-Border Railways (Border Control Co-location) Act 2026 · Updated to 30 Sep 2026 · Part 3 · Border Clearance and Railway Security Checks by Malaysia in Singapore

14. Limits on screening and search procedures

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(1)

A Malaysian preclearance officer recognised in relation to a cross‑border railway may conduct screening or a search procedure in respect of an individual and the individual’s personal property that is intended for carrying on board a cross‑border train only —

(a)

in the sequence prescribed in the relevant Schedule relating to the cross‑border railway; and

(b)

if the individual —

(i)

is seeking to enter peninsular Malaysia; and

(ii)

is within the Malaysia designated area of the cross‑border railway and is about to enter Malaysia’s CIQ zone in Singapore.

(2)

A Malaysian preclearance officer may conduct screening or a search procedure only in such a way that a Singapore border protection service officer has a clear and unobstructed line of sight of the individual when the individual is being screened by the Malaysian preclearance officer.

(3)

A Malaysian preclearance officer may conduct a strip search or body search of an individual mentioned in subsection (1) only if —

(a)

the individual consents to the search;

(b)

the Malaysian preclearance officer believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to conduct a strip search or body search of that individual for the purposes of the search and that the seriousness and urgency of the circumstances require a strip search or body search to be conducted; and

(c)

all the conditions in subsection (4) are met.

(4)

If a strip search or body search is to be conducted, the search —

(a)

must be conducted in a private area;

(b)

must be conducted by a Malaysian preclearance officer who is of the same sex as the individual being searched;

(c)

must not be conducted in the presence or view of another individual who is not of the same sex as the individual being searched; and

(d)

must not be conducted in the presence or view of another individual whose presence is not necessary for the purposes of the search.

Terms defined in s 3

conduct
Defined · s 3
“conduct”, as a verb, means —(a)to do an act or omit to do an act —(i)on a single occasion; or(ii)on a number of occasions over a period of time; or(b)to both do an act and omit to do an act —(i)on a single occasion; or(ii)on a number of occasions over a period of time;
Open s 3
cross‑border railway
Defined · s 3
“cross‑border railway” means a railway that —(a)has a railway network with a terminus in Singapore and runs to any part of peninsular Malaysia; and(b)is constructed under the Cross‑Border Railways Act 2018;
Open s 3
cross‑border train
Defined · s 3
“cross‑border train” means a train used for or in connection with providing a cross‑border train service;
Open s 3
Malaysia designated area
Defined · s 3
“Malaysia designated area”, for a cross‑border railway, means an area in Singapore designated in a map by the Malaysian Government and the Singapore Government under the treaty relating to that cross‑border railway to be the designated area for Malaysia in respect of that cross‑border railway;
Open s 3
Malaysian preclearance officer
Defined · s 3
“Malaysian preclearance officer” means a Malaysian border protection service officer who —(a)is recognised under section 9 as a Malaysian preclearance officer in respect of a cross‑border railway specified in the recognition; or(b)is deemed by section 10 recognised as a Malaysian preclearance officer in respect of a cross‑border railway,but only while on duty or carrying out work in that capacity;
Open s 3
personal property
Defined · s 3
“personal property”, in relation to an individual, means things worn or carried by an individual or apparently in the possession or immediate control of the individual;
Open s 3
relevant Schedule
Defined · s 3
“relevant Schedule”, for a cross‑border railway, means the Schedule to this Act which contains provisions relating to that cross‑border railway, including powers of specified persons and applicable laws;
Open s 3
Singapore border protection service officer
Defined · s 3
“Singapore border protection service officer” means an individual who is an employee of the Singapore Government or a Singapore public sector agency and performing duties in any of the Singapore border protection services, and includes a health officer appointed under section 4(1) of the Infectious Diseases Act 1976;
Open s 3