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Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Straits Times
Jail for 4 foreigners who entered S'pore illegally by boat and were caught on Pulau Tekong
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Assorted duty-unpaid cigarettes (pictured) and a fibreglass craft were seized in the operation. SINGAPORE - Three Indonesian men who were earlier jailed in Singapore over immigration offences and then sent out of the country decided to return here illegally in May to seek employment . The trio and a fourth Indonesian man who brought them here by boat were later found by Singapore's Police Coast Guard (PCG) officers on Pulau Tekong. In a joint statement in May, the Singapore Police Force and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said that contraband cigarettes were also seized in the operation. On July 22, Ripan, 28, Mahyudin, 32, Ridwan Akarin, 50, and Asmin Alexander, 50, were given their sentences. Ripan, who goes by one name, was sentenced to a year and three months' jail and six strokes of the cane. Ridwan was sentenced to a year and nine months' jail with a fine of $6,000. He will spend 40 more days behind bars if he cannot pay the fine. Each man had pleaded guilty to two immigration-related charges. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Business Chat with experts on brand media coverage at the latest Conversations with ST Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Mahyudin, who also goes by one name, and Asmin each pleaded guilty to two immigration-related charges and a charge linked to contraband cigarettes. Mahyudin was sentenced to a year and eight months' jail and six strokes of the cane. Asmin was ordered to spend a year and a month behind bars and was fined $2,000. He will have to spend an additional 13 days behind bars should he fail to pay the fine. Ridwan and Asmin cannot be caned as such a punishment cannot be meted out on men who are at least 50 years old. Without revealing details, Deputy Public Prosecutor Maximilian Chew told the court that Ripan, Mahyudin and Ridwan were separately convicted of immigration offences in Singapore between 2021 and 2024. The trio were sent out of Singapore after serving their sentences. They later decided to return here and plans were made to transport them to an area near Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, where an unnamed person would receive them. Ripan, Mahyudin and Ridwan each paid 5 million rupiah (S$392) to a man in Batam, called Ardy, who engaged Asmin to operate a sampan to transport the trio to Singapore. Singapore Customs prosecutor Dzulemryl Bachok said that before making the trip to Singapore, Mahyudin saw four boxes wrapped in black plastic in the motorised boat. Ardy told him that they contained contraband cigarettes. Ardy also instructed Mahyudin to call him upon his arrival in Singapore. The court heard that Ardy would get someone to collect the boxes from Mahyudin. PCG detected the sampan, which was fitted with an engine, in the sea off Pulau Tekong shortly before 1.30am on May 17. When Mahyudin spotted the patrol vessels, he informed Asmin to stop at the island to avoid detection and arrest, said Mr Dzulemryl. 'After arriving at (Pulau Tekong, all four men) alighted from the boat and hid at a nearby forested area, where they were subsequently found by the PCG officers,' the customs prosecutor said. More than 260 cartons of contraband cigarettes were later uncovered, the court heard.
New Paper
19-05-2025
- New Paper
Indonesians accused of entering S'pore illegally allegedly had 2,700 packs of contraband cigarettes
Four Indonesian men accused of entering Singapore's waters without any travel documents allegedly had 2,700 packets of contraband cigarettes in their possession. On May 19, Ripan, 28; Mahyudin, 32, Asmin Alexander, 50 and Ridwan Akarin, 50, were each charged with one count of entering Singapore without valid passes. Both Ripan and Mahyudin go by only one name. Police and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a joint statement on May 18 that the four men were said to be in a small craft in the sea near Pulau Tekong when the Police Coast Guard (PCG) detected them shortly before 1.30am on May 17. Officers from the PCG, Gurkha Contingent, the Special Operations Command and the K-9 Unit then responded to the incident and arrested the four unarmed Indonesians. A police spokesperson added: "The men were detained outside the protected areas of Pulau Tekong. They were allegedly found without any travel documents and in possession of uncustomed goods. "A total of 2,700 packets of assorted duty-unpaid cigarettes, and one fibreglass craft, which was fitted with one outboard motor, were seized in the operation." A total of 2,700 packets of assorted duty-unpaid cigarettes and one fibreglass craft (pictured) were seized in the operation. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE The men's cases will be mentioned again in court on May 26 Offenders convicted of entering Singapore illegally can be jailed for up to six months and receive at least three strokes of the cane.
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Straits Times
4 men accused of entering S'pore via boat allegedly had 2,700 packs of contraband cigarettes
A total of 2,700 packets of assorted duty-unpaid cigarettes, and one fibreglass craft, were seized in the operation. PHOTOS: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE 4 men accused of entering S'pore via boat allegedly had 2,700 packs of contraband cigarettes SINGAPORE - Four Indonesian men accused of entering Singapore's waters without any travel documents allegedly had 2,700 packets of contraband cigarettes in their possession. On May 19, Ripan, 28; Mahyudin, 32, Asmin Alexander, 50 and Ridwan Akarin, 50, were each charged with one count of entering Singapore without valid passes. Both Ripan and Mahyudin go by only one name. Police and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a joint statement on May 18 that the four men were said to be in a small craft in the sea near Pulau Tekong when the Police Coast Guard (PCG) detected them shortly before 1.30am on May 17. Officers from the PCG, Gurkha Contingent, the Special Operations Command and the K-9 Unit then responded to the incident and arrested the four unarmed Indonesians. A police spokesperson added: 'The men were detained outside the protected areas of Pulau Tekong. They were allegedly found without any travel documents and in possession of uncustomed goods. 'A total of 2,700 packets of assorted duty-unpaid cigarettes, and one fibreglass craft, which was fitted with one outboard motor, were seized in the operation.' The fibreglass craft, which was fitted with one outboard motor, that was seized in the operation. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE The men's cases will be mentioned again in court on May 26 Offenders convicted of entering Singapore illegally can be jailed for up to six months and receive at least three strokes of the cane. Shaffiq Alkhatib is The Straits Times' court correspondent, covering mainly criminal cases heard at the State Courts. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
