A 62-year old Myanmarese man was caught hiding in the boot of a car trying to depart from the Woodlands checkpoint just after midnight on Thursday. Both the Myanmar national and the driver of the car, a Malaysian, were arrested.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the Malaysia-registered car was pulled aside for checks at about 12.25am. The 26-year-old driver was alone in the car and the illegal passenger was found when the former opened the boot for inspection.

Both are under investigations for illegal departure. The ICA added that it views seriously attempts by foreigners to overstay, enter, or depart Singapore illegally.

Under the Immigration Act, the penalties for overstaying, or illegally entering Singapore are a jail term of up to six months with at least three strokes of the cane. Anyone convicted of illegally departing Singapore can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for a maximum of six months, or both.