A 38-year-old Chinese national has been sentenced to eight weeks in jail after spitting at an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer when he was denied entry into Singapore.
The man, identified in court documents as Ceng Li Xiao (transliteration), arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 4 on 16 August but was stopped by ICA officers under the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order. The court did not disclose the specific reason for his ban. He was escorted to a waiting lounge while arrangements were made to deport him. However, instead of complying, Ceng refused to cooperate, shouted at officers, and had to be restrained.
Spat in Officer’s Face During Deportation
At about 11am, four ICA officers were tasked with escorting Ceng for his deportation. He was placed in a wheelchair to prevent resistance, but during the process, he continued shouting loudly for several minutes.
When one of the officers tried to stop him from getting up, Ceng suddenly turned and spat directly into the officer’s face, reported Lianhe Zaobao. The act shocked those present and was described in court as both disgraceful and a serious show of disrespect toward public institutions in Singapore.
Ceng was immediately arrested following the incident and has remained in custody since. He later pleaded guilty to one charge of assaulting a public servant and another under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act.
Prosecution: Act Was “Shameful and Disrespectful”
During the hearing on 4 September, the prosecution stressed that spitting at an enforcement officer was not only unhygienic but also symbolised outright contempt for authority. They called his actions “shameful” and an affront to Singapore’s public service officers.
Ceng, who had no lawyer, appeared via video call with the assistance of a translator. He admitted his wrongdoing and told the court he wished for the case to be settled quickly so that he could return to China.
The judge sentenced him to eight weeks’ imprisonment, while also noting that his entry into Singapore remains prohibited.
This case highlights Singapore’s strict stance on offences against public officers, especially those involving violence, threats, or abuse at border checkpoints. The ICA reiterated that it takes a zero-tolerance approach towards such behaviour, as its officers are tasked with maintaining security at the nation’s borders.
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