A 22-year-old Indonesian national who had been residing in Malaysia without valid documents found himself on the wrong side of the Causeway after taking a wrong turn in Johor Bahru and inadvertently entering Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint.
The man, identified in court as Mardiansah, had allegedly been seeking employment in Malaysia despite having been deported previously. His unexpected entry into Singapore resulted in a 10-week custodial sentence, along with a financial penalty and a driving ban.
Court proceedings revealed that the incident unfolded on the evening of Jan 19, 2026, when Mardiansah left his residence in Skudai, Johor, intending to meet a friend at Johor Bahru Sentral. Relying on a mobile navigation application, he encountered heavy traffic and eventually lost his bearings.
Lost In Johor Bahru, Ended Up At Woodlands Checkpoint
According to court documents, Mardiansah’s mobile phone lost internet connectivity as he approached the border area, as it was connected to a Malaysian network. By the time he realised something was amiss, he was already approaching the Singapore side of the Causeway and heading towards Woodlands Checkpoint.
At around 7pm, he entered the motorcycle arrival zone and rode into a lane equipped with an automated clearance system. The first drop-arm barrier lifted automatically, allowing him to proceed forward. However, the exit barrier ahead remained closed.
Instead of presenting a valid passport or travel document to the automated immigration clearance system, he reportedly attempted to manually lift the barrier. After several attempts, he forcefully raised it above his head and rode underneath, continuing further into the checkpoint premises.
Alarm Triggered, Checkpoint Temporarily Locked Down
His actions immediately activated the checkpoint’s security alarm system. Authorities placed Woodlands Checkpoint on lockdown, bringing traffic across all zones to a halt as officers responded to the breach.
Within approximately four minutes, officers located and apprehended him. Operations at other zones gradually resumed, while the motorcycle arrival zone reopened shortly after his arrest.
Prosecutors told the court that the exit barrier had been visibly bent and damaged during the incident. The repair costs were assessed at S$480.14, inclusive of GST.
Further investigations revealed that Mardiansah’s Indonesian passport had been impounded by Indonesian authorities following his deportation from Malaysia in January 2025. He had previously been convicted of overstaying in Malaysia but re-entered the country illegally in May 2025 in search of work.
10 Weeks’ Jail And Driving Ban Imposed
For failing to present a valid passport and for not stopping at an authorised immigration checkpoint before entering Singapore, Mardiansah was sentenced to 10 weeks’ imprisonment and fined S$600. As the fine was not paid, he will serve an additional three days in jail in default.
He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences in Singapore and banned from driving any motor vehicle here for two years, effective from his release date.
The case underscores Singapore’s strict border security enforcement and the legal consequences of bypassing immigration controls, particularly at high-security entry points such as Woodlands Checkpoint.
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