Malaysian man jailed 10 months for coordinating illegal Singapore exit involving two hidden in car boot
A 45-year-old Malaysian national has been sentenced to ten months in prison for his role in a 2025 conspiracy to smuggle two individuals out of Singapore inside the boot of a car.
- Tan Chee Onn was sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment on 09 March 2026 for abetting an illegal departure from Singapore.
- The operation involved recruiting a driver to transport two individuals with impounded passports across the border in a vehicle boot.
- Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers intercepted the vehicle at Woodlands Checkpoint, leading to multiple arrests.
SINGAPORE: A 45-year-old Malaysian national has been sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to charges under the Immigration Act. Tan Chee Onn was convicted on 09 March 2026 for his role in coordinating an illegal exit from Singapore.
The court heard that the incident occurred in July 2025.
Tan was reportedly approached by an unidentified individual referred to as "boss". This individual requested assistance in transporting two Malaysian nationals out of Singapore illegally.
The two passengers, aged 30 and 32, had previous legal convictions within Singapore. Consequently, their passports had been impounded by the authorities. This status prevented them from leaving the country through standard legal channels.
Tan was offered a payment of RM2,500 (S$806) to facilitate the crossing. Upon accepting the offer, Tan recruited 21-year-old Muhammad Izzul Islam bin Abdul Haqq to act as the driver. Tan had met Izzul through an associate known only as Lee.
Tan offered Izzul RM1,500 (S$483) for the task.
On 04 July 2025, Tan, Lee, and Izzul met at a restaurant in Johor Bahru to finalise the plan.
They subsequently visited a car rental agency to secure a vehicle for the operation.
Tan personally paid for the rental vehicle and provided Izzul with a mobile telephone.
This device was intended to maintain contact during the operation. Izzul then drove the vehicle into Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint.
While Izzul entered Singapore, Tan remained in Malaysia. His role was to coordinate communication between the driver and the "boss" figure. Following specific location instructions, Izzul met the two passengers at a heavy vehicle carpark in Woodlands.
The two Malaysian nationals entered the boot of the car to avoid detection. Izzul then drove the vehicle toward the border. However, at approximately 3:45am on 05 July 2025, officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) flagged the vehicle.
During a secondary inspection at the checkpoint, officers discovered the hidden passengers.
Izzul and the two individuals were arrested immediately. Tan remained at large until 13 January 2026, when he was apprehended while entering Singapore at Tuas Checkpoint.
Tan faced two charges and elected to plead guilty to one. The court took the second charge into consideration during the final sentencing. Tan had remained in remand since his arrest in January.
ICA reiterated that they maintains a firm stance against illegal entry or departure. This extends to those who abet such actions. ICA emphasised that border security remains a critical priority for Singaporean law enforcement.
Under the Immigration Act, individuals convicted of abetting an illegal departure face a mandatory minimum of six months’ imprisonment. They may also be subject to a fine of up to S$6,000.
