Man fined $2,400 for failing to show Singapore passport at immigration checkpoints

SINGAPORE – A man who did not renounce his Singapore citizenship after becoming an Australian citizen was fined $2,400 for failing to present his Singapore passport when he entered the country.

On Nov 12, Teo Teck Yong Jerome Leonard, 69, was convicted on three counts of failing to present his Singapore passport for examination upon arrival at immigration checkpoints in Singapore.

Court documents showed that Teo left Singapore in 2000 to seek employment opportunities in Australia.

In August 2003, he became an Australian citizen.

He was issued an Australian passport on Nov 11, 2005, which he used to clear immigration when he arrived at Changi Airport on Aug 6, 2008 and May, 6, 2009.

Teo also presented his Australian passport when he arrived at the immigration clearance at the Singapore Cruise Centre on Sept 4, 2008.

He was arrested on Oct 17, 2025 by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers. Court documents did not state where he was arrested.

Teo, who was unrepresented, asked the judge for leniency in mitigation, citing his medical issues that require him to visit the optometrist every two months.

In response, the ICA prosecutor highlighted that Teo committed the offence out of convenience, and that he had exploited his access to both countries.

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, an ICA spokesperson said that Singapore does not allow its adult citizens to hold dual citizenship.

“ICA will investigate cases of suspected dual citizenship.

“Singapore citizens who are found to have obtained foreign citizenship or exercised the rights of a foreign citizen may be deprived of their Singapore citizenship, or be required to give up their foreign citizenship if they wish to retain their Singapore citizenship.”

Teo has since paid the fine in full.

For failing to produce a valid passport when entering or leaving Singapore, an offender can be fined up to $1,000, jailed for six months, or both.