Jakarta, IO – Muhammad Izal, 34, an Indonesian citizen was sentenced to jail and caning because he was caught illegally entering Singapore by clinging to improvised personal flotation device made of rubbish bag.
The sentencing hearing in Singapore on Thursday (2/11) local time, sent Izal to 15 months in prison and seven lashes of canings, per Detikcom, Saturday (4/11).
It was revealed that Izal did the daring attempt to work illegally in Singapore. He took a ferry from Batam to Stulang Laut in Johor Bahru, Malaysia then stayed two nights before going to the beach and began swimming to Pulau Ubin, Singapore.
After reaching Pulau Ubin, the court heard that Izal rested for half an hour before continuing his journey to Changi Beach.
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Izal managed to enter Singapore undetected and remained in the country illegally for 10 months until October 23. He was arrested by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers when he could not produce valid stay permit.
It was later known that Izal had previous brush with the Singaporean immigration law which saw him deported in May 2022 and prohibited from entering the country. However, he was determined to return illegally because he said he had children and sick parents in Indonesia to care for. (un)