SINGAPORE: An Iranian woman and her Malaysian husband will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore over their involvement with a travel agency that sponsored visa applications by terrorism-linked foreigners.
Parvane Heidaridehkordi, 38, had her long-term visit pass cancelled by the Controller of Immigration, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Monday (Feb 10).
The ministry said the Controller was satisfied that the Iranian is a Prohibited Immigrant under Section 8(1) of the Immigration Act. She was determined to be an “undesirable immigrant” for engaging in activities prejudicial to Singapore’s security.
Her husband, Soo Thean Ling, was also correspondingly declared a Prohibited Immigrant on the basis that he is a family member of Parvane.
Soo’s entry and re-entry permits were also cancelled. The 65-year-old was a Singapore permanent resident.
MHA said Parvane was involved in the operations of a Singapore-registered travel agency that had sponsored visa applications by terrorism-linked foreigners to enter Singapore.
Investigations found that the travel agency was a front for an operation directed by a foreigner based overseas.
“The travel agency has since been deregistered. Her actions were prejudicial to our security,” said the ministry.
After the authorities began investigations into the travel agency, Soo tried to register a company to undertake travel agency business in Singapore on two occasions.
“Soo intended for Parvane to operate these businesses, which would likely have facilitated Parvane’s continued involvement in supporting the entry of terrorism-linked individuals into our country. Both company registration applications filed by Soo were rejected on national security grounds,” said MHA.
“Foreigners in Singapore found to be engaging in activities which pose security risks are liable to have their immigration facilities revoked, and be deported. Both Parvane and Soo’s immigration facilities have been revoked. They will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore.”
