M'sian man, 42, jailed for trying to enter S'pore illegally via Tuas Checkpoint

A 42-year-old Malaysian man was sentenced to four weeks' jail on Jan. 6, 2026 for attempting to enter Singapore illegally at the bus hall of Tuas Checkpoint.

According to an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) news release, Yusman Bin Yusoff was charged with failure to present a passport for clearance under Section 5A(1)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959.

Tailgate

This comes after Yusman attempted to tailgate another traveller on Dec. 22, 2025 at around 2pm.

The traveller was undergoing immigration clearance at one of the automated lanes of the bus hall.

When Yusman followed closely behind the traveller in an attempt to pass through the automated lanes without presenting his passport, his actions were detected by ICA’s automated lanes.

This alerted an officer stationed at the lanes.

The officer proceeded to stop Yusman and the traveller in front of him, after which it was established during the interviews and checks that Yusman and the traveller were not acquainted with each other.

Arrested

According to the news release, Yusman was also not in possession of any travel documents and had intentionally tailgated the traveller in an attempt to enter Singapore illegally.

He was subsequently placed under arrest by ICA officers.

The release noted that all persons, whether entering or departing Singapore, are required to present a valid travel document to an immigration officer.

Under the Immigration Act 1959, any person who fails to do so is liable to a fine not exceeding S$2,000, up to six months' jail, or both.

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