SINGAPOREAN DETAINED AT JB CHECKPOINT FAILED TO SHOW TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, CLAIMS SECURITY

JOHOR BARU: The 36-year-old Singaporean woman who was detained at the Malaysian checkpoint for several days was nabbed for refusing to show her travel documents and for taking pictures and videos in a restricted area.

Security sources said that the woman, who was entering Malaysia after many years, had also used harsh words at an immigration officer stationed at the bus passenger hall of the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (BSI) complex on Aug 7.

“She kept on filming despite being told to stop,” the sources said, adding that the woman also used vulgarities when she was told that she would be detained to assist in investigations.

The sources said that the woman should count herself lucky as she was released with only a stern warning as she could have been charged in court for allegedly committing an offence under the Immigration Act.

“We advise all foreigners entering Malaysia to be mindful and adhere to our country’s laws,” the sources said, adding that the issue started after the woman went and queued up at a counter, which was closed.

The sources said that the immigration officer at the counter had already told the woman it was closed but she insisted as she saw an elderly person at the counter earlier.

“The counter was closed but the officer helped out an elderly person who had issues with the Autogates,” the official said.

When contacted, Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat confirmed that the immigration official involved in the incident had lodged a police report at 12.05pm on Aug 7 and investigations were ongoing.

However, at press time, it was unclear how many days the woman was detained by the authorities.

An online portal revealed the woman as 36-year-old Atalia Chua.

She alleged on her social media account that she was detained for six nights.

She claimed that she was harassed and pressured to sign a Malay language form during her detention.

She was released after her brother contacted Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

2024-09-08T03:44:20Z dg43tfdfdgfd