Man jailed 10 months, fined S$1,400 for dashing through Woodlands Checkpoint

SINGAPORE — The 64-year-old Malaysian who drove through a security barrier at Woodlands Checkpoint was today (Sept 19) sentenced to ten months in prison and fined $1,400. He was also ordered to compensate the Government S$2,800 for damaging a cat-claw barrier.

Tan Chu Seng, who is a permanent resident, was charged for mischief and acting rashly on March 8, by driving his Singapore-registered Mercedes-Benz recklessly and hurting police officer Safie Mahrom. Later that day, he was also found dealing with 6.7 kilograms of duty unpaid cigarettes.

District Judge Ng Peng Hong said a “custodial sentence” was warranted as public interest was at stake. “Deterrence must form the centre stage (in this case), to send a strong message to the accused and would-be offenders that (such offences) to defer custom inspections must be seriously dealt with,” he said.

He added that he had considered Tan’s financial difficulties, and deemed the sentences “appropriate to reflect the seriousness of the offence committed”.

Just seven weeks before Tan’s act, a Malaysian teacher had driven through the same checkpoint and managed to stay undetected for three days.