Updated: 09/09/2014 08:57 | By Channel NewsAsia
32 arrested last year for entering Singapore illegally by sea
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SINGAPORE: Last year, 32 people were arrested for entering Singapore waters illegally or attempting to land illegally by sea, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Monday (Sep 8).
A total of 2,890 vessels were detected and deterred from entering Singapore’s territorial waters. Most of the vessels had strayed off course and complied with instructions when advised, the ministry said.
The MHA statement comes after three foreigners were sentenced to jail on Monday for entering Singapore illegally via Raffles Marina on a chartered vessel from Malaysia.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Singapore Police Force are working with Raffles Marina to review its security measures and identify areas for improvement, an MHA spokesperson said.
“Under the law, all authorised landing and departure points must put in place the necessary security measures to maintain the integrity of our border security and prevent unauthorised entry into or out of Singapore from their premises,” the spokesperson said.
Crew and passengers arriving in Singapore by pleasure craft and yachts are required to seek immigration clearance at either the Western Quarantine and Immigration Anchorage or Changi General Purpose Anchorage. Both anchorages are operational around the clock. Immigration clearance at Raffles Marina is only available from 9am to 5pm.
Those who attempt to breach Singapore’s border security will be severely dealt with under the law, MHA said. - CNA/cy
