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Man Convicted For Arranging An Illegal Departure Of An Overstayer Via The Woodlands Checkpoint
A 54-year-old Indonesian male, Sabaruddin Bin Sutarmin was convicted on 8 July 2016 for engaging in the business of conveying an immigration offender out of Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Due to his age, he was spared the rod.
2. In May 2015, Sabaruddin had arranged for the illegal departure of, Sofyan Soeb, an Indonesian who had overstayed in Singapore, in a Malaysia-registered saloon car at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The car was driven by Hasan Bin Maksum, a fellow Indonesian. Both the Indonesians were convicted on 4 June 2015. Sofyan was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane for his overstaying offence while Hasan was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane. Please refer to details of the case at Annex.
3. Following the conviction of the two Indonesians, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted further investigations into the case and established that Sabaruddin was involved in the arrangements relating to the illegal departure. ICA officers also found out that Sabaruddin was in Johor Baru. A warrant was issued for his arrest. Through close collaboration with the Malaysian Royal Police, ICA officers successfully executed the warrant of arrest and escorted Sabaruddin, a Malaysia Permanent Resident, back to Singapore for investigation.
4. The ICA takes a serious view of attempts 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 engaging in the business of conveying prohibited immigrant into and out of Singapore is a jail term of not less than 2 years and not more than 5 years and caning of not less than 3 strokes.
5. 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
8 July 2016
Annex
Case of conviction of two men for attempting to depart Singapore illegally via the Woodlands Checkpoint
On 21 May 2015 at about 9.40pm, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers directed a departing Malaysia-registered saloon car at the Woodlands Checkpoint for checks. ICA officers opened the car boot and found a man crouching inside. The driver and the “boot passenger”, both Indonesians, were immediately placed under arrest.
2. The 48-year-old driver, Hasan Bin Maksum and the 41-year-old “boot passenger”, Sofyan Soeb, were charged and convicted on 4 June 2015. Hasan was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane for conveying Sofyan out of Singapore. Sofyan was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane for overstaying in Singapore and failing to present his passport to an immigration officer when leaving Singapore. The vehicle used in the commission of the offences has been detained and is liable for forfeiture.
A man found crouching in the car boot
2. In May 2015, Sabaruddin had arranged for the illegal departure of, Sofyan Soeb, an Indonesian who had overstayed in Singapore, in a Malaysia-registered saloon car at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The car was driven by Hasan Bin Maksum, a fellow Indonesian. Both the Indonesians were convicted on 4 June 2015. Sofyan was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane for his overstaying offence while Hasan was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane. Please refer to details of the case at Annex.
3. Following the conviction of the two Indonesians, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted further investigations into the case and established that Sabaruddin was involved in the arrangements relating to the illegal departure. ICA officers also found out that Sabaruddin was in Johor Baru. A warrant was issued for his arrest. Through close collaboration with the Malaysian Royal Police, ICA officers successfully executed the warrant of arrest and escorted Sabaruddin, a Malaysia Permanent Resident, back to Singapore for investigation.
4. The ICA takes a serious view of attempts 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 engaging in the business of conveying prohibited immigrant into and out of Singapore is a jail term of not less than 2 years and not more than 5 years and caning of not less than 3 strokes.
5. 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
8 July 2016
Annex
Case of conviction of two men for attempting to depart Singapore illegally via the Woodlands Checkpoint
On 21 May 2015 at about 9.40pm, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers directed a departing Malaysia-registered saloon car at the Woodlands Checkpoint for checks. ICA officers opened the car boot and found a man crouching inside. The driver and the “boot passenger”, both Indonesians, were immediately placed under arrest.
2. The 48-year-old driver, Hasan Bin Maksum and the 41-year-old “boot passenger”, Sofyan Soeb, were charged and convicted on 4 June 2015. Hasan was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane for conveying Sofyan out of Singapore. Sofyan was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and three strokes of the cane for overstaying in Singapore and failing to present his passport to an immigration officer when leaving Singapore. The vehicle used in the commission of the offences has been detained and is liable for forfeiture.
A man found crouching in the car boot