According to an article by CNA, an Indonesian man, Muhammad Izal, defied the odds by swimming back into Singapore illegally, despite being previously deported and banned from entering the country due to immigration offenses.
This audacious act involved using a trash bag as a makeshift flotation device to navigate the treacherous waters from Malaysia to Singapore.
Izal’s audacity, however, was met with justice as he was apprehended and subsequently sentenced to 15 months in jail, accompanied by seven strokes of the cane.
The Repeat Offender
Muhammad Izal, a 34-year-old Indonesian national, found himself on the wrong side of the law, facing charges related to illegal entry into Singapore without a valid pass and without the necessary permissions.
His audacity might have shocked many, but it was not his first brush with Singaporean authorities.
According to court documents, Izal had been charged multiple times in the past for immigration-related offenses in Singapore.
His most recent legal entanglement occurred in August 2021 when he entered Singapore without a valid pass and returned to the country illegally after having been previously removed.
This led to his conviction and a one-year jail sentence, along with six strokes of the cane.
The Warning and Deportation
Before his deportation in May 2022, Izal was served with a written notice that clearly indicated he was banned from re-entering Singapore from the date of his deportation.
This notice emphasized the requirement of obtaining prior written permission from the Controller of Immigration for any future entry or residence in Singapore.
Failing to do so would result in prosecution and a jail term ranging from one to three years upon conviction.
Izal acknowledged this notice by placing his thumbprint on it, after which he was deported back to Indonesia on May 28, 2022.
Despite these strict warnings and previous convictions, Izal’s determination to return to Singapore remained undeterred.
The Audacious Return
After a brief seven-month stay in his homeland, Izal decided to make a bold and illegal return to Singapore, driven by the allure of illegal employment.
His journey began with a ferry ride from Batam, Indonesia, to Stulang Laut in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
From there, he spent two nights planning his audacious swim towards Singapore’s Pulau Ubin island.
What sets this story apart is the means Izal employed to make this perilous swim – he used a black trash bag as an inflatable floating device, as stated in court documents.
This makeshift flotation device exemplifies the lengths to which some individuals are willing to go in pursuit of their objectives, regardless of the risks involved.
After successfully reaching Pulau Ubin, Izal took a brief respite before resuming his swim towards Changi Beach.
During his daring journey, he remained undetected and continued to stay illegally in Singapore for approximately ten months, until October 23 of the same year.
The Apprehension and Legal Consequences
Izal’s journey came to an abrupt end when he was apprehended by officers of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Woodlands Road.
He was unable to produce any evidence that demonstrated his legal residence in Singapore.
Further investigation revealed his fingerprints, which were traced to a person with an “adverse record” under the name of Muhammad Izal.
As a result of his actions, Izal was sentenced to 15 months in jail and seven strokes of the cane, reflecting the serious nature of his offenses and the determination of the Singaporean authorities to enforce immigration laws effectively.
A Complex Motivation
In his defense, Izal expressed remorse for his actions and emphasized his familial responsibilities, including children and sick parents.