ON Day 10 of the hunt for fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari, added security checks have been enforced at all checkpoints - which means showing your passport may no longer be enough.

As straitstimes.com found out, officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at all land, air and sea exit and entry points have also started scanning fresh fingerprints from travellers.

Whether this is only done randomly or enforced on all travellers is unclear.

Taxi driver Tan Ah Tee, 54, who has been ferrying passengers across Woodlands Checkpoints for the last three years, said it is the first time he has encountered such a procedure.

He told straitstimes.com that both his passengers and himself have had to provide a fresh fingerprint for each trip he makes out of Singapore.

When asked for comment, ICA said: "Security has been enhanced at all checkpoints. We are unable to give further details due to operational concerns."

"Further checks will be conducted on travellers, vehicles and baggage where necessary. This includes the scanning of fingerprints."

With the weekend approaching and the March school holidays starting on Saturday, ICA expects throngs of vehicles to start flocking to Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints from Friday evening.

They have advised people to plan their trips around peak periods in the morning and evening to avoid the traffic crunch.

Those who have to make the trip during the busy periods are advised to practise lane discipline to ease congestion. Car pooling and taking the public transport are among other recommended ways to beat the jams.