Malaysian man who overstayed in Singapore since 1995 jailed maximum 6 months, fined
SINGAPORE — A Malaysian man who overstayed in Singapore for 23 years without a valid pass was sentenced to the maximum jail term of six months and fined $2,000 on Friday (30 August).
Choo Juan Suan pleaded guilty to an amended charge of entering Singapore without a valid pass some time after 7 July 1995. He pleaded guilty in July but had his conviction set aside weeks later due to a technicality with the original charge.
The 64-year-old was arrested by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers at a flat in Block 44 Beo Crescent on 15 November last year after he failed to produce evidence to show he was staying in Singapore lawfully. He only had with him his Malaysia passport.
Investigations found that Choo had left Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint on 6 July 1995 and entered Malaysia on 7 July 1995. However, there were no records showing Choo entering Singapore lawfully at any gazetted entry point after 7 July 1995.
Choo’s lawyer Wee Hong Shern said that his client had entered Singapore in 1995 with the sole intent of taking care of his wife and child, who was then only three to four months old.
Choo did not leave Singapore from then on and has since dedicated his life to supporting his family, including a son who has served national service here, said the lawyer.
Asking leniency for his client, Wee said that after serving his sentence, Choo would have to leave Singapore, where he spent the majority of his life. He sought a four-month jail term for Choo.
Apart from being jailed up to six months, Choo could have been fined up to $6,000 in lieu of caning. Choo cannot be caned as he is above 50 years old.
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