Getting Lost At The JB-Singapore Border Landed This Malaysian Man In Jail
42-year-old Koh Chin Had left his home in Johor Bahru to go to a temple, but he ended up making a mistake that has landed him in Singapore's prison.
By Mei Mei Chu — 23 Apr 2014, 03:04 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
A Malaysian Has Been Sentenced By Singapore To Eight Weeks In Jail For Driving Past Immigration Checkpoint Without Stopping
42-Year-Old Koh Chin Had Was Charged With Failing To Stop His Car For Immigration Clearance At The Woodlands Checkpoint, And For Failing To Produce His Passport To The Authorities.
Image via The StarA 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 Was Charged With Failing To Stop His Car For Immigration Clearance At The Woodlands Checkpoint, And For Failing To Produce His Passport To The Authorities
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 Incident Happened On 14 April 2014 When Koh Got Lost Whilst Driving From His House In Johor Bahru To A Temple In The City
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 Ended Up At The Johor Bahru Immigration Checkpoint Without His Passport
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 Informed The Officer He Wanted To Make A U-Turn Back Towards Malaysia But Was Instructed To Report To The Nearby Malaysian Police
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.
However, Koh Ignored Orders And Drove Towards The Woodlands Checkpoint Instead. He Joined The Queue At The Arrival Car Section.
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.
Koh Tailgated The Vehicle In Front Of Him. He Quickly Drove Past The Drop Arm Barrier When It Lifted Up For The Vehicle Before Him.
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 Saw Koh's Car And Immediately Pushed The Panic Button, Leading To A Lock Down At The Arrival Car Zone
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.
Koh's Car Was Trapped In The Lock Down And He Was Subsequently Arrested
With his car trapped within the Arrival Car Section, Koh was located and arrested accordingly.
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.
According To Koh, He Tailgated The Vehicle In Front Of Him Because He Was Feeling "Frightened"
42-year-old Koh Chin Had was charged after he allegedly tried to evade immigration clearance by tailgating another car at Woodlands Checkpoint.
Image via channelnewsasia.comWhen 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.
Koh Is The Third Motorist To Be Arrested In 2014 For Breaking Security At The Checkpoint
Local television Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported that Koh Chin Had, 42, was the third motorist to be arrested this year for breaching security at the checkpoint.
themalaymailonline.com
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.