Three men have been arrested by Singapore’s Police Coast Guard after attempting to swim through the garbage-filled waters between Malaysia and Singapore last night.
Officers detected the three suspects, aged between 22 and 29, at about 11pm; 20 minutes later, a patrol boat intercepted their attempts to enter the city-state illegally. Their nationalities have yet to be disclosed by authorities.
Free Malaysia Today added that attempted entry to Singapore via the polluted waters of the Causeway is a relatively common tactic among foreigners who have illegally entered, or overstayed their visas, in Malaysia.
At some points, the space between the two countries can be less than 1,000 meters. Risking drowning — and a host of waterborne diseases — many will make a bid for the unguarded borders.
Under the Immigration Act, unlawful entry into Singapore carries with it a jail term of up to six months and at least three strokes of the cane. And probably Hepatitis A from those nasty waters.
With text by Coconuts KL
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