ICA officer at Woodlands Checkpoint dragged 'several metres' by car; driver arrested

SINGAPORE: An Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer at the Woodlands Checkpoint instructed the driver of a car departing Singapore to follow him, but the man accelerated his car instead, dragging the officer for several metres.

The car nearly collided with a pedestrian and other nearby stationary vehicles, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and ICA said in a joint press release on Wednesday (Dec 13).

The 38-year-old Singaporean man had undergone a fuel gauge check at the departure car zone when the ICA officer noticed that his fuel tank was below the stipulated level of at least three-quarters tank full.

"The officer instructed the driver to hand over his passport, park the car, and follow him to the ICA Duty Office," said the authorities.

The driver refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging the officer for several metres and causing him to suffer bodily pain. The officer was conveyed conscious to the hospital.

The driver will be charged in court on Thursday. If found guilty of causing hurt by a rash act, he faces a jail term of up to a year, a fine which may extend to S$5,000 (US$3,700), or both.

SPF and ICA said: "ICA officers stationed at the checkpoints carry out their duties to safeguard Singapore’s borders." 

"Motorists using the checkpoints need to drive safely and abide by traffic rules not just for their own safety but also the safety of our officers."

The authorities warned that strict enforcement action will be taken against "blatant breach of such rules".

Departing travellers driving Singapore-registered cars must comply with the “three-quarter tank” rule. Offenders may be issued a composition sum of up to S$500 or prosecuted in court.

They will also be turned back at the checkpoints and not be allowed to proceed with their journey into Malaysia.