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The Sun
14-07-2025
- The Sun
Singaporean evaded NS duties using fake Malaysian passports 876 times
A Singaporean man who evaded his national service (NS) obligations in the 1990s used counterfeit Malaysian passports to enter and exit the country, concealing his identity from authorities. According to Straits Times, Low Eng Kheng, 60, exploited these fake documents 876 times between 2006 and 2011 at various Singapore checkpoints. On July 11 (Friday), Low was sentenced to eight months and 18 weeks in jail after pleading guilty to five charges under the Immigration Act. Court documents, cited by the Singaporean daily, revealed that in the early 1990s, Low fled to Malaysia to avoid fulfilling his duties as an operationally ready national serviceman (NSman). He remained there, allowing his Singapore passport to expire in June 2000. In 2006, Low wished to visit his ailing mother in Singapore but feared detection for his NS default. He paid RM45,000 for a fake Malaysian passport bearing his photo but under the name 'Chong Poh Yin' with a false birthdate. Between 2008 and 2010, he acquired three more such passports, each costing RM10,000. Low first used the fraudulent passport to enter Singapore on August 7, 2006. Over the years, he frequently travelled between Singapore and Malaysia using these documents, with his last entry recorded on May 2, 2011. Additionally, he provided false information on disembarkation forms 59 times, misrepresenting his name, birthdate, and birthplace. The Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) launched an investigation in September 2023 after discovering Low's multiple identities. The exact trigger for the probe was not disclosed. He was subsequently arrested in August 2024. Deputy Superintendent Ganeshvaran, an ICA senior prosecution officer, emphasised that Low deliberately fled Singapore to evade NS and later concealed his identity to avoid authorities. Defence lawyer Thomas Tham argued that Low used the passports solely for work as a driver, not for criminal activities. 'He came to Singapore to earn a living for his family,' Tham stated. ICA confirmed that since July 2020, biometric clearance systems have been enhanced at checkpoints to detect identity fraud. Iris, facial, and fingerprint scans now ensure accurate traveller authentication. 'ICA will take firm action against those using impersonated identities,' a spokesperson warned.
New Paper
11-07-2025
- New Paper
Man who evaded NS used fake Malaysian passports at checkpoints over 800 times
A Singaporean who was trying to avoid his national service (NS) obligations in the 1990s used fake Malaysian passports to enter and exit the Republic to conceal his identity from the authorities. Over a span of five years from 2006 to 2011, Low Eng Kheng, 60, used the fake passports 876 times at various checkpoints in Singapore. On July 11, he was sentenced to eight months and 18 weeks' jail after pleading guilty to five charges under the Immigration Act. The court heard that in the early 1990s, Low left Singapore for Malaysia as he did not wish to complete his obligations as an operationally ready national serviceman (NSman). He remained in Malaysia and did not return to Singapore, and his Singapore passport expired in June 2000. In 2006, he wanted to travel to Singapore to visit his family as his mother's health was deteriorating, but was afraid of using his actual Singapore identity as he believed that he was wanted by the authorities for not fulfilling his NSman obligations. Thus, he paid an unknown individual RM45,000 for a Malaysian passport with his photograph but the particulars of one "Chong Poh Yin" and a birthdate that was not his. In the subsequent years between 2008 and 2010, Low obtained three more Malaysian passports with his photograph, but which bore the particulars of "Chong". He paid the same unknown individual RM10,000 for each passport. Low used the first passport to enter Singapore on Aug 7, 2006. After that, he frequently travelled between Singapore and Malaysia using the four passports. He last arrived in Singapore using one of the passports on May 2, 2011. Between March and May 2011, he also gave false statements on his disembarkation forms to immigration officers on 59 occasions. These included his name, his date of birth and country of birth. In September 2023, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) began investigations into Low as he had been found to be someone with multiple identities. It was not mentioned in court documents how his crimes came to light. Low was arrested in August 2024. Deputy Superintendent Ganeshvaran, senior prosecution officer from ICA, highlighted to the court that it was a conscious decision on Low's part to run away from Singapore as he did not want to complete his NSman obligations, and to subsequently conceal his true identity to avoid the authorities. In mitigation, defence lawyer Thomas Tham said his client did not use the Malaysian passports to enter Singapore to commit offences. "Instead, he came to Singapore as a driver to send people around to try to make a living for his wife and kids. The sheer number of times he used the passports was because of the nature of his job as a driver," said Mr Tham. In a statement on July 11, an ICA spokesman said that since July 2020, multi-modal biometric clearance systems have been in place at the checkpoints to better detect and deny entry to those with multiple identities or impersonated identities. All automated and manual immigration lanes and manual counters at Singapore's land, sea and air checkpoints have been equipped with iris and facial scanners, said ICA, adding that the two biometric identifiers, in addition to fingerprints as a secondary biometric identifier, provide a highly accurate way of authenticating travellers' identities. "ICA will not hesitate to take firm action against travellers who attempt to enter Singapore using an impersonated identity or an identity different from their previous trips to Singapore," said the spokesman.
The Star
11-07-2025
- The Star
Singaporean who defaulted on NS obligations used fake Malaysian passports at checkpoints over 800 times
Low Eng Kheng was sentenced to eight months and 18 weeks' jail after pleading guilty to five charges under the Immigration Act. -- ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A Singaporean who was trying to avoid his national service (NS) obligations in the 1990s used fake Malaysian passports to enter and exit the Republic to conceal his identity from the authorities. Over a span of five years from 2006 to 2011, Low Eng Kheng, 60, used the fake passports 876 times at various checkpoints in Singapore. On July 11, he was sentenced to eight months and 18 weeks' jail after pleading guilty to five charges under the Immigration Act. The court heard that in the early 1990s, Low left Singapore for Malaysia as he did not wish to complete his obligations as an operationally ready national serviceman (NSman). He remained in Malaysia and did not return to Singapore, and his Singapore passport expired in June 2000. In 2006, he wanted to travel to Singapore to visit his family as his mother's health was deteriorating, but was afraid of using his actual Singapore identity as he believed that he was wanted by the authorities for not fulfilling his NSman obligations. Thus, he paid an unknown individual RM45,000 for a Malaysian passport with his photograph but the particulars of one 'Chong Poh Yin' and a birthdate that was not his. In the subsequent years between 2008 and 2010, Low obtained three more Malaysian passports with his photograph but which bore the particulars of 'Chong'. He paid the same unknown individual RM10,000 for each passport. Low used the first passport to enter Singapore on Aug 7, 2006. After that, he frequently travelled between Singapore and Malaysia using the four passports. He last arrived in Singapore using one of the passports on May 2, 2011. Between March and May 2011, he also gave false statements on his disembarkation forms to immigration officers on 59 occasions. These included his name, his date of birth and country of birth. In September 2023, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) began investigations into Low as he had been found to be someone with multiple identities. It was not mentioned in court documents how his crimes came to light. Low was arrested in August 2024. Deputy Superintendent Ganeshvaran, senior prosecution officer from ICA, highlighted to the court that it was a conscious decision on Low's part to run away from Singapore as he did not want to complete his NSman obligations, and to subsequently conceal his true identity to avoid the authorities. In mitigation, defence lawyer Thomas Tham said his client did not use the Malaysian passports to enter Singapore to commit offences. 'Instead, he came to Singapore as a driver to send people around to try to make a living for his wife and kids. The sheer number of times he used the passports was because of the nature of his job as a driver,' said Mr Tham. In a statement on July 11, an ICA spokesman said that since July 2020, multi-modal biometric clearance systems have been in place at the checkpoints to better detect and deny entry to those with multiple identities or impersonated identities. All automated and manual immigration lanes and manual counters at Singapore's land, sea and air checkpoints have been equipped with iris and facial scanners, said ICA, adding that the two biometric identifiers, in addition to fingerprints as a secondary biometric identifier, provide a highly accurate way of authenticating travellers' identities. 'ICA will not hesitate to take firm action against travellers who attempt to enter Singapore using an impersonated identity or an identity different from their previous trips to Singapore,' said the spokesman. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network
AsiaOne
11-07-2025
- AsiaOne
Singaporean who defaulted on NS obligations used fake Malaysian passports at checkpoints over 800 times, Singapore News
SINGAPORE — A Singaporean who was trying to avoid his national service (NS) obligations in the 1990s used fake Malaysian passports to enter and exit the Republic to conceal his identity from the authorities. Over a span of five years from 2006 to 2011, Low Eng Kheng, 60, used the fake passports 876 times at various checkpoints in Singapore. On July 11, Low was sentenced to eight months and 18 weeks' jail after pleading guilty to five charges under the Immigration Act. The court heard that in the early 1990s, Low left Singapore for Malaysia as he did not wish to complete his obligations as an operationally ready national serviceman (NSman). He remained in Malaysia and did not return to Singapore, and his Singapore passport expired in June 2000. In 2006, Low wanted to travel to Singapore to visit his family as his mother's health was deteriorating, but was afraid of using his actual Singapore identity as he believed that he was wanted by the authorities for not fulfilling his NSman obligations. Hence, Low paid an unknown individual RM45,000 (S$13,500) for a Malaysia passport with his photograph but the particulars of one "Chong Poh Yin" and a birthdate that was not his. In the subsequent years between 2008 and 2010, Low obtained three more Malaysia passports with his photograph but bore the particulars of "Chong". He paid the same unknown individual RM10,000 for each passport. Low first used the Malaysia passport to enter Singapore on Aug 7, 2006. Since then, he frequently travelled between Singapore and Malaysia using the four Malaysia passports. He last arrived in Singapore using the Malaysia passport on May 2, 2011. Between March and May 2011, Low also gave false statements on his disembarkation forms to immigration officers on 59 occasions. These included his name, his date of birth and country of birth. In September 2023, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) began investigations against Low as he was traced to be someone with multiple identities. It was not mentioned in court documents how his crimes came to light. Low was arrested in August 2024. DSP Ganeshvaran, senior prosecution officer from ICA, highlighted to the court that it was a conscious decision on Low's part to run away from Singapore as he did not want to complete his NSman obligations, and to subsequently conceal his true identity to avoid the authorities. In mitigation, defence lawyer Thomas Tham said his client did not use the Malaysia passports to enter Singapore to commit offences. "Instead, he came to Singapore as a driver to send people around to try to make a living for his wife and kids. The sheer number of times he used the passports was because of the nature of his job as a driver," said Tham. In a statement on July 11, an ICA spokesman said that since July 2020, multi-modal biometric clearance systems have been in place at the checkpoints to better detect and deny entry to those with multiple identities or impersonated identities. All automated and manual immigration lanes and manual counters at Singapore's land, sea and air checkpoints have been equipped with iris and facial scanners, said ICA, adding that the two biometric identifiers, in addition to fingerprints as a secondary biometric identifier, provide a highly accurate way of authenticating travellers' identity. "ICA will not hesitate to take firm action against travellers who attempt to enter Singapore using an impersonated identity or an identity different from their previous trips to Singapore," said the spokesman. [[nid:720043]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Straits Times
S'porean who defaulted on NS obligations used fake Malaysian passports at checkpoints over 800 times
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox On July 11, Low Eng Kheng was sentenced to eight months and 18 weeks' jail after pleading guilty to five charges under the Immigration Act. SINGAPORE – A Singaporean who was trying to avoid his national service (NS) obligations in the 1990s used fake Malaysian passports to enter and exit the Republic to conceal his identity from the authorities. Over a span of five years from 2006 to 2011, Low Eng Kheng, 60, used the fake passports 876 times at various checkpoints in Singapore. On July 11, Low was sentenced to eight months and 18 weeks' jail after pleading guilty to five charges under the Immigration Act. The court heard that in the early 1990s, Low left Singapore for Malaysia as he did not wish to complete his obligations as an operationally ready national serviceman (NSman) . He remained in Malaysia and did not return to Singapore, and his Singapore passport expired in June 2000. In 2006, Low wanted to travel to Singapore to visit his family as his mother's health was deteriorating, but was afraid of using his actual Singapore identity as he believed that he was wanted by the authorities for not fulfilling his NSman obligations. Hence, Low paid an unknown individual RM 45,000 (S$13,500) for a Malaysia passport with his photograph but the particulars of one 'Chong Poh Yin' and a birthdate that was not his. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'pore boosts nuclear viability, safety research with new institute and $66m in additional funding Singapore Man who killed 5-year-old daughter gets life sentence after he appeals against 35-year jail term Singapore More than 14,300 people checked during 7-week-long anti-crime ops Singapore Over 150 e-bikes and other non-compliant mobility devices impounded in last 2 months: LTA Singapore Over 12,000 lower-income households to receive $60 in transport vouchers by end-July Business CEO salaries: At Singapore's top companies, whose pay went up and whose saw a drop? Singapore NDP 2025: Leopard tank transmission fault identified, vehicle to resume role in mobile column In the subsequent years between 2008 and 2010, Low obtained three more Malaysia passports with his photograph but bore the particulars of 'Chong'. He paid the same unknown individual RM 10,000 for each passport. Low first used the Malaysia passport to enter Singapore on Aug 7, 2006. Since then, he frequently travelled between Singapore and Malaysia using the four Malaysia passports. He last arrived in Singapore using the Malaysia passport on May 2, 2011. Between March and May 2011, Low also gave false statements on his disembarkation forms to immigration officers on 59 occasions. These included his name, his date of birth and country of birth. In September 2023, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) began investigations against Low as he was traced to be someone with multiple identities. It was not mentioned in court documents how his crimes came to light. Low was arrested in August 2024. DSP Ganeshvaran, senior prosecution officer from ICA, highlighted to the court that it was a conscious decision on Low's part to run away from Singapore as he did not want to complete his NSman obligations , and to subsequently conceal his true identity to avoid the authorities. In mitigation, defence lawyer Thomas Tham said his client did not use the Malaysia passports to enter Singapore to commit offences. 'Instead, he came to Singapore as a driver to send people around to try to make a living for his wife and kids. The sheer number of times he used the passports was because of the nature of his job as a driver,' said Mr Tham. In a statement on July 11, an ICA spokesman said that since July 2020, multi-modal biometric clearance systems have been in place at the checkpoints to better detect and deny entry to those with multiple identities or impersonated identities. All automated and manual immigration lanes and manual counters at Singapore's land, sea and air checkpoints have been equipped with iris and facial scanners, said ICA, adding that the two biometric identifiers, in addition to fingerprints as a secondary biometric identifier, provide a highly accurate way of authenticating travellers' identity. 'ICA will not hesitate to take firm action against travellers who attempt to enter Singapore using an impersonated identity or an identity different from their previous trips to Singapore,' said the spokesman.
