Chinese woman, 54, overstayed in S'pore for over 18 years after prison release, jailed 6 months & fined S$4,000

A Chinese woman was issued a Special Pass by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to be a prosecution witness for a police case on Oct. 14, 2005, after her release from a Singapore prison.

However, when the woman, Chen Yueying, was no longer required as a prosecution witness, she did not report to ICA for her repatriation on Nov. 23, 2005, as instructed.

Instead, Chen remained unlawfully in Singapore for more than 18 years until she surrendered herself at Bukit Merah East Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) on Sep. 24, 2024.

Chen, now 54, was arrested on the same day as she could not produce any evidence to show that she was staying legally in Singapore.

Charged with immigration offence in 2005

According to court documents seen by Mothership, Chen was referred to ICA's Investigation Branch following her arrest.

Investigations revealed that Chen was charged with remaining unlawfully in Singapore for more than 90 days on Sep. 16, 2005.

She was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail and fined S$3,000 in default of six weeks' imprisonment on Sep. 23, 2005.

After Chen's release from prison, ICA issued her a Special Pass and extended it on several occasions so that Chen could serve as a prosecution witness.

The Special Pass was last extended till Nov. 23, 2005 for Chen to leave Singapore, as she was no longer required as a prosecution witness.

Did not report for repatriation

However, when Chen was required to report to ICA's repatriation branch on Nov. 23, 2005, she did not turn up as instructed.

Following the expiry of her Special Pass on the same day, Chen did not leave or apply for a visa extension and remained unlawfully in Singapore to "work and earn money".

From Nov. 24, 2005 till the day of her arrest on Sep. 24, 2024, Chen had stayed in Singapore illegally for 6,880 days or 18 years, 10 months, and one day.

Court documents did not reveal why Chen decided to surrender herself.

Jailed and fined

Chen was sentenced to six months in jail and fined S$4,000 on Sep. 27 after admitting to overstaying, reported CNA.

Those convicted of remaining in Singapore illegally for a period exceeding 90 days could be jailed for up to six months and receive at least three strokes of the cane.

Individuals who are not punished with caning, such as women like Chen, could be fined S$6,000 in lieu of caning.

ICA statement

In a statement on Chen's case, an ICA spokesperson reiterated that Singapore law "treats overstaying as a serious offence" and "the penalties are correspondingly severe".

"ICA conducts rigorous and regular in-land enforcement checks with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Singapore Police Force, to arrest offenders, including overstayers," the statement read.

The spokesperson added that the public "must also do its part to deter overstaying".

"Employers and homeowners must exercise due diligence and ensure that prospective foreign employee/ tenant's status in Singapore is legal before offering employment or renting out their premises," according to the statement.

This includes "checking their original immigration/ work pass, cross-checking the particulars on their pass against their passport, and verifying the validity of their pass through the issuing authority's website".

Members of the public should report suspected cases of immigration offenders to ICA via its feedback form.

If convicted, harbourers or employers of immigration offenders could be jailed for up to 24 months and fined up to S$6,000.

Top image via Canva