M'sian charged over attempt to evade immigration clearance

[Gatsby]

Updated: 04/14/2014 16:13 | By Channel NewsAsia

M'sian charged over attempt to evade immigration clearance

SINGAPORE: A 42-year-old Malaysian was charged on Monday with failing to stop his car for immigration clearance at the Woodlands Checkpoint.

He also faces a second charge of failing to present his passport

It is the third reported case this year, of a driver being arrested in connection with evading authorities at the checkpoint.

According to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Koh Chin Had, who was driving a Malaysian-registered car, allegedly tried to evade immigration clearance by tailgating the car in front of him.

This happened at an arrival car counter at Woodlands Checkpoint on Sunday, at around 12.20pm.

ICA said an officer activated the alarm and the Arrival Car Zone was locked down immediately.

The car was then trapped in the zone, and officers were then quickly able to arrest its driver.

During the short hearing at the State Courts on Monday afternoon, Koh said he intends to plead guilty.

He was dressed in a white polo tee, and remained calm as he stood in the holding area for accused persons.

Prosecutors have indicated that they will proceed on the first charge of failing to stop a vehicle at Woodlands Checkpoint, and this carries a maximum punishment of six months’ jail and a S$2,000 fine.

The second charge of failing to present a passport will be taken into consideration for sentencing.

Koh will be back in court on Tuesday for his plea to be taken.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said this recent incident shows that border security on both sides is tight and that instances of people who have entered Singapore without proper clearance have mostly been contained.

Mr Teo said: "There will always be attempts by people to evade customs or immigration checks at the borders and this is not unique to Singapore.

“I would say the measures we have taken at the checkpoints have been reasonably effective in deterring and containing entry into Singapore by persons or goods that are not allowed to.

"In three cases that have evaded and exited the checkpoints, the persons were subsequently arrested and appropriate action was taken against them." - CNA/xq

 

[Hysteria]

Updated: 04/15/2014 17:41 | By Channel NewsAsia

AGC to take over case of Malaysian who allegedly breached checkpoint

SINGAPORE: A Malaysian driver who was charged on Monday with failing to stop his car for immigration clearance at the Woodlands Checkpoint will have his case handed over to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC).

The court heard on Tuesday that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is turning over the case to the AGC.

42-year-old Koh Chin Had, who was driving a Malaysian-registered car, allegedly tried to evade immigration clearance by tailgating a car in front of him at about 12.20pm on April 13.

This took place at an arrival car counter at Woodlands Checkpoint.

According to ICA, an officer activated the alarm and the Arrival Car Zone was locked down immediately.

The car was then trapped in the zone, and officers were able to arrest Koh.

Besides this, Koh faces a second charge of failing to present his passport to authorities.

For failing to stop a vehicle at Woodlands Checkpoint, Koh can be sent to jail for up to six months and fined S$2,000.

The prosecution previously indicated that the second charge of failing to present a passport will be taken into consideration for sentencing.

This is the third reported case this year where a driver got arrested in connection with evading authorities at the checkpoint.

During the short hearing on Tuesday, Koh's brother and a friend were seated in the public gallery. They told the media that they intend to bail out the accused.

Bail was set at S$20,000.

The case will be heard again on April 22. - CNA/gn

 

[ShangTsung]

Updated: 04/22/2014 16:16 | By Channel NewsAsia

M’sian who breached Woodlands Checkpoint security on Apr 13 jailed

SINGAPORE: A Malaysian driver who was charged on April 14 with failing to stop his car for immigration clearance at the Woodlands Checkpoint has been sentenced to eight weeks' jail.

42-year-old Koh Chin Had is the third motorist to be arrested this year for breaching security at Woodlands Checkpoint.

Koh faced two charges -- one for failing to stop his vehicle at the Woodlands Checkpoint on April 13, and the second for failing to present his passport to authorities.

The prosecution proceeded with the first charge and took the second charge into consideration.

Koh pleaded guilty, and in mitigation said that he did not have any intention to enter into Singapore, that he did not have his passport with him, and that he had lost his way in Malaysia.

Investigations revealed that on the morning of April 13, Koh was in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and travelling on Malaysian roads in his vehicle.

He intended to drive from his house located in Johor Bahru to a temple within Johor Bahru to pray, but he lost his way and found himself at the Johor Bahru (Malaysia) Immigration Checkpoint.

Koh did not have his Malaysia passport at that time.

He then stopped at one of the Johor Bahru Immigration Checkpoint and informed the officer that he wanted to make a u-turn back towards Malaysia, and that he did not carry his passport with him.

He was instructed to report to the Malaysian Police in the vicinity of the Johor Bahru Immigration Checkpoint.

But Koh did not report to any Malaysian Police and instead, headed towards Singapore's Woodlands Checkpoint.

When he arrived at Woodlands Checkpoint, he joined the queue at Arrival Car Counter 12 of the Arrival Car Section.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Teo Lu Jia said Koh knew that he was at the Singapore checkpoint, since the signage in the area and uniforms worn by the officers look different from those at the Johor Bahru Immigration Checkpoint.

Besides, Koh had entered Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint on at least three other occasions, and thus knew that he was required to stop his vehicle at an authorised point of entry.

At about 12.22pm, when the accused arrived at the Arrival Car Counter 12 of the Arrival Car Section, he tailgated the vehicle in front of him.

When the vehicle in front of him drove past the drop arm barrier which was lifted up, the accused quickly drove his vehicle forward as well, and passed Counter 12 without stopping his vehicle at the authorised point of entry.

The Immigration Officer at Counter 12 noticed the evasion and immediately pressed the panic button, which caused the arrival car zone to be locked down.

With his car trapped within the Arrival Car Section, Koh was located and arrested accordingly.

DPP Teo told the court on Tuesday that Koh's case is one of four cases of evasion of immigration clearance in the mere span of four months -- the latest of which occurred on April 21 at Woodlands Checkpoint.

DPP Teo added that the traffic jam resulting from Koh's arrest at the Arrival Car Section was also a waste of time and resources.

Thus, DPP Teo pushed for a deterrent sentence of eight weeks' jail.

When District Judge Lee Poh Choo asked Koh why he tailgated the vehicle in front of him, he said it was the first time he had lost his way while driving, and he was feeling "frightened".

But Judge Lee rejected Koh's excuses, since he had entered Singapore on at least three other previous occasions and knew that he had to stop to produce his passport for immigration clearance.

As there has been an increasing number of non-Singaporeans trying to evade immigration clearance this year, she agreed that a deterrent sentence is warranted to send a message that border security is important, and that offenders who evade immigration clearance must be punished appropriately.

With that, she imposed a sentence of eight weeks' jail on Koh. - CNA/gn