Sleeper compartments are commonly found in night trains and they offer travellers a more restful night time travel. Did you know that there are also ‘crouching’ compartments in midnight trailers? Whether the ‘crouching’ compartments are as comfortable as sleeper compartments, perhaps the ‘privileged’ first passenger onboard the trailer would be able to tell the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers.

2. On 15 May 2010 at about 11.35pm, ICA officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint directed a Malaysia-registered trailer to the departure inspection area for routine checks. Both the male Malaysian driver and his male Malaysian attendant appeared fidgety when the officers spoke with them. Their uneasiness sent instant negative vibes to the experienced and alert ICA officers. Clearly, these men had something to hide from the officers. What could it be?



The long and arduous ride onboard the trailer

3. In the presence of the duo, the ICA officers meticulously combed the huge trailer for the slightest trail of evidence of their suspected misdemeanors. From the inside of the driver’s cabin to the rear entrance of the trailer, the officers did not let their guards down for a moment. Their efforts finally paid off – thanks to their eyes for details! Apparently, it was the canvas ropes that gave the game away. Though the trailer was not conveying any consignment, the ICA officers noticed that the ropes were very tightly secured. This aroused further suspicion and the officers immediately climbed onto the top of the trailer to uncover what lies beneath the canvas. One flip of the canvas sheet and the ICA officers came face to face with the lone passenger who was crouching inside the canvas storage compartment attached to the upper front of the trailer. The 38-year-old female Chinese passenger and the two men were immediately placed under arrest.


Spot the crouching compartment!


Travelling in the crouching style

4. During preliminary investigation, the 31-year-old driver admitted to abetting the illegal departure of the Chinese woman. He claimed that he was approached by the 25-year-old attendant in Malaysia to help convey immigration offenders out of Singapore illegally by hiding them inside his trailer. Upon the successful attempt, both men would be paid RM500 each. Subsequently, the men met up with another unknown male Chinese in Sungei Kadut, Singapore where the latter handed over the woman to them. The driver claimed that the attendant had instructed the woman to hide inside the canvas storage compartment. He also claimed that it was the attendant who had tightened and secured the canvas sheet around the trailer before instructing him to drive the trailer towards Woodlands Checkpoint.

5. The dubious trio are currently under investigation by the ICA. The trailer used in the commission of the offence has also been seized by ICA. The crestfallen look on the woman seemed to suggest that it had not been a comfortable ride on the ‘crouching’ compartment after all. The ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to overstay, enter or depart Singapore illegally. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane, while the penalties for illegal departure is a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

6. Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security. We have tightened our security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.


IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
19 MAY 2010