Singaporean Mum And Kids Arrested For Creating A Scene At A Routine Check In JB
Here's how it all started.
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 16 Aug 2016, 01:46 AM
A Singaporean mother and her two children have been detained for allegedly hurling abuses at a Malaysian immigration officer during a border inspection in Johor Bahru
According to Singaporean English daily, The New Paper, the matter apparently was brought to light after a Facebook user that goes by the name 'Pokok Tumbang' posted on a Facebook page called 'JB Traffic, Road Blocks and Potholes Report' detailing the incident.
How did the drama start?
The Facebook post by 'Pokok Tumbang' detailing the incident.
Image via Facebook/ JB Traffic, Road Blocks and Potholes Report/ The IndependentThe post in Bahasa Malaysia, explained that the issue started when the immigration officer on duty had asked the female driver to wind down the tinted back window of her car for routine inspection.
Photos of the family handcuffed in the holding room at the checkpoint was also attached along with the Facebook post. However, the post has since been removed by the said Facebook page.
The Star Online reported that the incident had occurred at about 3.30pm on Friday, 12 August at the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) when the the family was heading back to Singapore from Johor Bahru.
Instead of following the orders of the immigration officer, the lady had reportedly verbally abused him. One of the trio had even flashed the middle finger at the officer.
The verbal abuse was followed by an argument that lead to the family being detained for obstructing the officer's duties. Once detained, the trio went on to accuse the officer of asking for a bribe, which they refused.
The detained mother is reportedly 42 years old and two of her children are aged 18 and 19, respectively
Singaporean English daily, Straits Times also reported that the two detained children are said to be studying at a private college in Johor Bahru.
Johor Immigration Department director Datuk Rohaizi Bahari confirmed that the Singaporean family will be held for 14 days to assist with the investigations
Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex, Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, Johor Baharu (BSI)
Image via The Malaysian Times"It is an offence to hurl abuse at my men who are just following the procedures during checks," he was quoted saying by local daily The Star, yesterday, 15 August.
"So far our investigation also showed that the officer did not ask for any bribe as alleged by the suspects," he added.
Rohaizi said individuals dissatisfied with the officers under him could file a direct complaint to him.
The family's alleged offence is being investigated under Section 56(1)(g) of the Immigration Act.
themalaymailonline.com
If found guilty, the family would have to pay a maximum fine of RM10,000 or serve a max jail term of 5 years.
Do you think it's fair that the mum and kids were arrested? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!