MALAYSIAN SYNDICATE LEADER CHARGED WITH SMUGGLING ILLEGALS INTO SINGAPORE

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, Jan 15 (Bernama) -– A Malaysian was charged in the local court
here Friday, with running a business of smuggling illegal immigrants by sea into
Singapore.

Zulkifly Muhammad, 38, was arrested in Johor by the Malaysian police and
sent to Singapore, two days ago.

He was charged in court with four counts of "engaging in the business
of conveying prohibited immigrants to enter Singapore unlawfully".

Commenting on the case, Singapore police said the Malaysian was suspected of
being a leader of a human smuggling syndicate, and was the 13th such smuggler
detained in the last 26 months.

The suspect was believed to have smuggled illegal immigrants by boat via the
northern Johor Straits into Singapore.

Investigations revealed that Zulkifly operated his business of smuggling
illegal immigrants from Sungei Pok near Kampung Ladang in western Johor.

He engaged a team of boatmen to ferry the illegal immigrants to Singapore,
and a 'middleman' to collect smuggling fees from them.

Zulkifli was also believed to have provided shelter and food for the illegal
immigrants while waiting for an opportune time to smuggle them into Singapore.

Police said with Zukifly’s arrest, they had neutralised 13 syndicate leaders
or key members involved in smuggling illegal immigrants in the last two years.

If convicted, Zulkifly can be jailed for between two and five years and
receive
at least three strokes of the cane.

The last arrest of a human smuggling syndicate leader was in March last
year, when Singapore police had successfully prosecuted Herman Latip, also known
as 'Botak', who was operating his syndicate in the northern Johor Straits.

He was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and ordered to be given 24
strokes of the cane.

Singapore Police Coast Guard Commander SAC Teo Kian Teck said the arrest of
these syndicate leaders signified a strong resolve to protect Singapore borders
against intrusions.

He thanked the Malaysian police, particularly officers from the Nusajaya
police headquarters, for their assistance in the latest case.

“This is the fifth arrest of human smuggling syndicate leaders made with
their assistance in the past 26 months, a testimonial to effective cooperation
between the two forces,” said Teo.

-– BERNAMA