Another driver nabbed for attempting to evade immigration clearance at Woodlands

The Woodlands Checkpoint. -- ST FILE PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG 
The Woodlands Checkpoint. -- ST FILE PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG 

A Malaysian was arrested on Sunday afternoon after he tried to evade immigration clearance by tailgating the car in front of him at the Woodlands Checkpoint.

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a statement on Monday that the 42-year-old man, who was driving a Malaysia-registered Perodua Kambara, was not in possession of any travel documents when he arrived at about 12.20pm.

"The ICA officer immediately activated the alarm and the Arrival Car Zone was locked down immediately," said a spokesman. "ICA officers together with the police officers at the checkpoint found the car trapped in the zone and the driver was placed under immediate arrest.

The driver, identified as Koh Chin Had, will be charged in Court on Monday afternoon for failure to present a passport for clearance under Sec 5A(1)(b); and failure to stop his vehicle upon point of entry under Sec 18B(1) of the Immigration Act, said the ICA. Any persons who attempt to evade immigration clearance will be dealt with firmly according to the law, added the spokesman.

This is the third incident this year that a driver was arrested for failing to stop for immigration clearance.

On Jan 17, Malaysian teacher Nurul Rohana Ishak, 27, slipped past immigration officers at Woodlands Checkpoint. She was arrested three days later, and faced charges for criminal trespass, and two immigration charges for failing to present her passport for examination and failing to stop her vehicle.

But these were eventually withdrawn by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) on account of her mental illness. She was also issued a conditional warning by the police not to commit similar offences again in the future.

On March 8, Malaysian Tan Chu Seng, 64, apparently drove through the checkpoint after being stopped for a boot check. The Singapore permanent resident, who is said to have damaged the cat-claw security barrier when he drove into it, is facing charges of committing a rash act and vandalism. His case is still pending.

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