6 Myanmar nationals found hiding at Choa Chu Kang cemetery, nabbed by immigration authority

SINGAPORE — Six Myanmar nationals were arrested on Tuesday (Feb 19) at a cemetery in Choa Chu Kang for immigration-related offences, after the authorities conducted a check there.

In a press release on Thursday, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that its personnel were carrying out an operation at the cemetery when “a Myanmar male national spotted the officers and attempted to flee”.

The officers immediately gave chase and caught up with him.

The man later led the officers to his makeshift quarters within the cemetery and there were five other male Myanmar nationals there.

The six of them, aged between 22 and 42, were arrested for immigration-related offences, including overstaying in Singapore, the ICA said.

The authority added: “The Myanmar nationals claimed that they were working as grave diggers in the cemetery. Investigations are ongoing.”

ICA said that it takes a serious view of attempts to overstay, enter or depart Singapore illegally.

If convicted of overstaying or illegal entry, a person may be jailed up to six months and get at least three strokes of the cane.

The penalty for illegal departure is a fine of up to S$2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.