S'pore family held for 14 days in M'sia
A Singaporean family of three will be remanded for 14 days in Malaysia, after verbally abusing an immigration officer at the immigration checkpoint at Johor Baru, according to The Star.
The incident took place at Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex, at 3.30pm on Friday.
The New Paper reported yesterday that the woman, 42,allegedly refused to wind down the rear tinted windows of her car after being instructed to do so.
She was with her two children, aged 18 and 19, who purportedly study in a private college in Johor Baru.
The woman was told to step out of her car, but is said to have directed accusations and profanities. She also allegedly made a vulgar hand gesture.
TNP reported yesterday that the three claimed that the immigration officer had asked for a bribe, which they refused.
Johor Immigration Department director Rohaizi Bahari confirmed the arrests, and said they have been held for 14 days to assist in investigations.
"It is an offence to hurl abuse at my men, who were just following the procedures during checks," he said.
He said the Immigration Department had nothing to hide and even had visits from the Singapore consulate, as they wanted to meet the suspects.
"So far our investigation also showed that the officer did not ask for any bribe as alleged by the suspects," he said, urging those who were unhappy with his officers to lodge a complaint directly with him.
The three are being investigated under the Immigration Act, which carries a maximum of RM10,000 (S$3,350) fine or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.
The incident was first reported by Facebook user Pokok Tumbang on the page JB Traffic, Road Blocks and Potholes Report. Also posted were photos of the trio being arrested, handcuffed, and in a holding room at the checkpoint.
When contacted on Sunday, a Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman told TNP: "Officials from the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Baru have visited the detained Singaporeans.
"The Consulate is also in touch with the Malaysian authorities, and will continue to provide consular assistance to the three Singaporeans."
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