SINGAPORE — The Malaysian driver who was charged on Monday after he failed to stop his car for immigration clearance at the Woodlands Checkpoint will have his case handed over to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the court heard yesterday.

Koh Chin Had, 42, was driving a Malaysian-registered car at 12.20pm last Sunday when he allegedly tried to evade immigration clearance by tailgating a car in front of him at the Woodlands Checkpoint.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said an officer activated an alarm and the Arrival Car Zone was locked down immediately. Koh’s car was trapped in the zone and he was arrested by officers. He also faces a second charge of failing to present his passport to the authorities.

For failing to stop a vehicle at the Woodlands Checkpoint, Koh could be jailed for up to six months and fined S$2,000. The prosecution had previously indicated that the second charge of failing to present a passport would be taken into consideration for sentencing.

During the short hearing yesterday, Koh’s brother and a friend were seated in the public gallery. They told the media they intend to bail out the accused. Bail was set at S$20,000 and his case will be heard again on April 22.

The incident last Sunday came after two breaches at the same checkpoint this year.

Last month, a Malaysian delivery driver managed to drive off in his Singapore-registered car while undergoing security checks, sparking off a five-hour search before he was arrested. Tan Chu Seng, 64, allegedly drove over a cat-claw security barrier that was activated to stop him.

In January, a Malaysian teacher gave immigration officers the slip by tailgating another car at the checkpoint. She was arrested three days later when she entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs compound. The 27-year-old from Kedah was later declared to be of unsound mind.

CLAIRE HUANG