SINGAPORE - Four Bangladeshi men attempting to swim to Singapore from Malaysian waters were arrested by the Police Coast Guard (PCG) for unlawful entry into Singapore.

The men, aged between 25 and 42, were detected in the sea off Sungei Tuan, which are Malaysian territorial waters, at 12.22am on Tuesday (March 14), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Immigrations & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a joint news release on Tuesday.

They were heading towards Singapore waters.

Both land and sea resources were deployed, and the four men were intercepted and arrested.

Investigations are ongoing.

The ICA and PCG said they take a serious view of attempts to overstay, enter or depart Singapore illegally.

Those whose overstay or enter Singapore illegally can be jailed for up to six months and receive up to three strokes of the cane.

Those who depart Singapore illegally face up to six months' jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

SPF and ICA said they will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints and Singapore's maritime border to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband.