In case the message hasn’t been reinforced yet: buying a boarding pass without the intention of travelling out of Singapore to enter the airport’s transit area is an offence.
People who have been caught for the above offence, have gone into the transit area for various reasons, like chasing their K-pop oppas.
In the latest case released by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the offender simply wanted to spend extra time with his wife before her departure.
On 25 Aug, a 27-year-old man was arrested for misusing his boarding pass to enter the transit area.
His objective was to send his wife off, but police found out when he left through immigration channels. Now he faces a fine, jail term, or both.
In case anyone’s wondering what’s the big deal, the transit area is a protected place.
So technically, staying there if you’re not going to travel elsewhere, is trespassing.
To give clearer context as to why that is so, other protected places in Singapore include the Istana and various army camps.
We hope you get the idea now.
SPF has issued various advisories over the years warning against this, but 33 people have been arrested since January this year.
In their statement, the police is reminding everyone that passengers who enter transit areas with a boarding pass “should only be there for the purpose of travelling to their next destinations.”
Those who misuse their boarding passes to enter transit areas, are liable to an offence under the Infrastructure Protection Act.
The offender may be prosecuted in court and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or both.
So, don’t play play.
So have another warning from us. A fine and jail term isn’t worth spending a few hours’ extra with your loved ones.
Or, you know, maybe a short getaway to Bangkok or KL wouldn’t be such a bad idea – not to mention legal.
Featured image adapted from Singapore Police Force and NTU.
He once spent an hour and a half washing dishes at a Heavenly Wang outlet…
The incident was labelled a sudden death.
He expressed his disappointment at none of his friends turning up for the event.
The 61-year-old woman was told that the ducks would bring her bad luck.
The boyfriend is being investigated for negligent homicide.
The meal amounted to S$46.50.