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Woodlands Welcomes Cross-Strait Swimmer
More than a few people would immediately suspect some hanky-panky if they were to spot unusual movements in the bushes.
2. On the morning of 27 January 2006, at around 6.25am, two auxiliary police officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint, too, knew that bushes do not move on their own, especially if they happen to be located near the checkpoint. Having the greater concern of the safety and security of Singapore’s borders, they hurried over to have a look. A man was found loitering amongst the bushes. The officers then handed the man over to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for further investigations.
3. When interviewed by ICA, the man claimed that he had taken a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru. After sleeping at a bus stop in Johor Bahru, he decided to start his sneak-in attempt. The man, aged 42, claimed that he managed to leave the country by mingling into the crowd. He then walked towards Singapore. Somewhere in the middle of the Causeway, he dived into the waters to swim towards Singapore. A few minutes later, overcome by fatigue, the man climbed back onshore and walked towards Woodlands Checkpoint. He was then given a “rousing welcome” in his wet clothing.
4. Investigations are currently ongoing. If convicted, the penalty for illegal entry is a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane.
5. ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to enter Singapore illegally. Having already risked their lives and the tough penalties to enter Singapore, illegal immigrants pose potential law and order problems as they may turn to crime when faced with difficulties in finding illegal employment and assimilating into societies. ICA will continue to work with our strategic partners to flush out illegal immigrants to maintain the safety and security of our community.
2. On the morning of 27 January 2006, at around 6.25am, two auxiliary police officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint, too, knew that bushes do not move on their own, especially if they happen to be located near the checkpoint. Having the greater concern of the safety and security of Singapore’s borders, they hurried over to have a look. A man was found loitering amongst the bushes. The officers then handed the man over to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for further investigations.
3. When interviewed by ICA, the man claimed that he had taken a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru. After sleeping at a bus stop in Johor Bahru, he decided to start his sneak-in attempt. The man, aged 42, claimed that he managed to leave the country by mingling into the crowd. He then walked towards Singapore. Somewhere in the middle of the Causeway, he dived into the waters to swim towards Singapore. A few minutes later, overcome by fatigue, the man climbed back onshore and walked towards Woodlands Checkpoint. He was then given a “rousing welcome” in his wet clothing.
4. Investigations are currently ongoing. If convicted, the penalty for illegal entry is a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane.
5. ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to enter Singapore illegally. Having already risked their lives and the tough penalties to enter Singapore, illegal immigrants pose potential law and order problems as they may turn to crime when faced with difficulties in finding illegal employment and assimilating into societies. ICA will continue to work with our strategic partners to flush out illegal immigrants to maintain the safety and security of our community.