Indonesian jailed 2 years for arranging to smuggle overstayer out of Singapore

A 54-year-old Indonesian man was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday (July 8) for arranging to take an overstayer out of Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint.

Sabaruddin Bin Sutarmin was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. He was spared from caning due to his age.

In May 2015, Sabaruddin had arranged for the illegal departure of Sofyan Soeb, an Indonesian who had overstayed in Singapore, in a Malaysia-registered saloon car at the Woodlands Checkpoint.

The car was driven by Hasan Bin Maksum, a fellow Indonesian.

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers who opened the boot found Sofyan crouching inside.

Both the Indonesians were convicted on June, 4, 2015.

Sofyan was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and three strokes of the cane for his overstaying offence while Hasan was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and three strokes of the cane.

Following their convictions, officers found through investigations that Sabaruddin, who was living in Johor Bahru, was involved in the arrangements relating to the illegal departure. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

Through close collaboration with the Malaysian Royal Police, ICA officers successfully escorted Sabaruddin, a Malaysia Permanent Resident, back to Singapore for investigation.

According to a statement from the ICA, it takes a serious view of attempts to overstay, enter or depart Singapore illegally.

The penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane, while the penalties for engaging in the business of conveying a prohibited immigrant into and out of Singapore is a jail term of not less than 2 years and not more than 5 years and caning of not less than 3 strokes.

candicec@sph.com.sg