The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Singapore Police Force have jointly announced the arrest and impending charges for a 38-year-old Singaporean male driver involved in a rash act at Woodlands Checkpoint on 12 December 2023.
According to the official statement released, the driver will face charges of causing hurt by a rash act, and he is scheduled to appear in court on 14 December 2023.
What happened?
Preliminary investigations indicate that the Singaporean male driver was attempting to depart Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint when the incident occurred. During a routine fuel gauge check at the departure car zone, an ICA officer observed that the fuel level in the driver’s vehicle was below the stipulated level.
Upon instructing the driver to hand over his passport and follow him to the ICA Duty Office, the driver refused to comply. Instead, he accelerated forward, dragging the ICA officer for several meters. The reckless maneuver nearly resulted in a collision with a pedestrian and other stationary vehicles in close proximity.
As a result of the incident, the ICA officer sustained bodily injuries and was promptly conveyed to the hospital, remaining conscious throughout the process.
ICA emphasized the importance of safe driving at checkpoints, highlighting that officers are diligently performing their duties to safeguard Singapore’s borders. The authorities have pledged to take strict enforcement action against any blatant breach of traffic rules and safety protocols.
ICA’s statement
38-Year-Old Singaporean Male Driver Arrested and Charged for Rash Act at Woodlands Checkpoint
The Police have arrested a 38-year-old Singaporean male for causing hurt by a rash act following an incident at Woodlands Checkpoint on 12 December 2023. He will be charged in court on 14 December 2023.
2. Preliminary investigations revealed that the Singaporean male driver intended to depart Singapore by car via Woodlands Checkpoint. He underwent a fuel gauge check at the departure car zone and an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer noticed that the amount of fuel was below the stipulated level. The officer instructed the driver to hand over his passport, park the car, and follow him to the ICA Duty Office. The driver refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging the officer for several metres. The car nearly collided with a pedestrian and other nearby stationary vehicles.
3. As a result of the incident, the ICA officer suffered bodily pain and was subsequently conveyed conscious to the hospital.
4. ICA officers stationed at the checkpoints carry out their duties to safeguard Singapore’s borders. Motorists using the checkpoints need to drive safely and abide by traffic rules not just for their own safety but also the safety of our officers. The authorities will take strict enforcement action against blatant breach of such rules.
5 Departing travellers driving Singapore-registered cars are reminded to observe the “three-quarter tank” rule. Offenders may be issued with a composition sum of up to $500 or prosecuted in court. They will be turned back at the checkpoints and not allowed to proceed with their journey into Malaysia.
6. The driver will be charged in court on 14 December 2023 with the offence of causing hurt by a rash act which endangers the life or personal safety of others under Section 337(a) of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term which may extend to one year, a fine which may extend to $5,000, or both.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
14 DECEMBER 2023