Four weeks’ jail for M’sian woman who tried to breach Woodlands Checkpoint
Woodlands Checkpoint. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — Aware that her passport had expired, the Malaysian woman decided to tailgate the car in front of her at Woodlands Checkpoint, driving past the immigration counter and through the barrier.
The alarm system was activated, and the arrival car zone was locked down. When instructed to switch off her car engine, unlock the door and alight, 34-year-old Chong Jing Jing shut her eyes and feigned sleep. Officers had to smash the windows to gain access to the vehicle and arrest her.
For her actions, Chong was today (July 31) sentenced to four weeks’ jail, backdated to July 2, when she was remanded. She was released today.
Investigations showed that Chong, a music school administrator, had left her home in Perak on June 28, with her expired Malaysia passport and identity card, and drove her Malaysian-registered car towards Singapore. She arrived at the checkpoint slightly past 5am on June 30.
Chong faced three charges. Two — failing to present her Malaysia passport for examination at immigration and resisting an immigration officer in the execution of his duty — were proceeded with.
Prosecution had earlier requested for her to be sent to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for a psychiatric assessment. Reports stated that she was of sound mind at that point in time, despite a history of schizophrenia.
Speaking in court today, Chong pleaded for leniency and said that she hopes to return home soon.
District Judge Adam Nakhoda noted that her offences were all “relatively serious” and are “not acceptable”.
Upon hearing her sentence, Chong broke down and thanked the judge through her tears.
For failing to produce her passport at immigration, Chong could have been jailed up to six months, fined a maximum of S$1,000, or both.
She could also have been jailed up to a year, fined a total of S$4,000, or both, for resisting an immigration officer in his execution of duty.
