Do Singaporeans abide by the law?

Singapore has always given people the impression of being relatively civilized, law-abiding and well-behaved. However, the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an announcement yesterday, hoping that Singaporeans should respect local laws and regulations when traveling abroad.

This is the first time that the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a similar travel warning. Let’s take a look at what is written in it.

Recently, several Singaporeans have been arrested abroad for violating local laws.

Foreigners coming to Singapore need to abide by Singapore’s laws; similarly, Singaporeans should also abide by local laws and regulations when going abroad.

Violating local laws often results in arrest on the spot. In some countries, the trial process can take several months.

The costs of breaking the law can be heavy, including hefty fines and lengthy prison terms. Drug-related offenders may even be sentenced to death.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore will provide appropriate assistance to Singapore citizens arrested abroad. However, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no power to interfere with local judicial authorities. Therefore, Singaporeans should be careful and abide by the law when going abroad.

If Singaporeans need consular assistance abroad, they can call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 24-hour hotline 65 63798800/63798855, [email?protected], or contact the local Singaporean embassy or consulate.

English original text:

Recently, a number of Singaporeans have been arrested overseas for breaking the laws of the countries they were visiting.

Foreigners visiting or residing in Singapore have to abide by our laws. Likewise, Singaporeans abroad also have to adhere to the laws and regulations of the countries they are visiting or residing in. Violation of foreign laws could lead to immediate arrest and detention. In some countries, the judicial process could take months. Singaporeans convicted of offences overseas could face heavy fines and/or long prison sentences. For drug-related offences, offenders could face a long prison sentence or even capital punishment.

　The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will render appropriate consular assistance to Singaporeans who are arrested and detained overseas. However, MFA cannot intervene in the legitimate law enforcement and judicial workings of another country. Therefore, Singaporeans should exercise due care and personal responsibility when traveling overseas, including respecting and abiding by local laws and regulations.

In the event that Singaporeans overseas require emergency consular assistance, please call the MFA Duty Office (24-hours) at (+65) 6379 8800/8855, email us at [email?protected] , or get in touch with the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission.

So it seems that the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued this warning mainly because Singapore citizens were arrested overseas, which generally violates Drug and immigration related laws.

Drug crimes

In September alone, at least two Singaporeans were arrested in Bali, Indonesia for violating drug-related laws.

On September 10, a 32-year-old Singaporean DJ was arrested on the spot when Indonesian authorities found 100 grams of amphetamines and 30 grams of cocaine in the package when he picked up a package at the Bali post office.

On September 30, a 42-year-old Singapore Airlines passenger hid two small packages of drugs, totaling 3.56 grams, in his LV wallet. He was also arrested by the Indonesian police.

If you carry more than 50 grams of heroin in Singapore, you will be sentenced to death, and the Indonesian government is also merciless in cracking down on drug crimes, especially after the current President Widodo came to power.

Last year, the Indonesian government executed two Australian drug traffickers.

In addition, lawyers also remind people who think they can get high by taking drugs casually abroad. Once they return to China and their urine test is positive for drugs, they will still have to stay in a class room or undergo compulsory detoxification.

In addition to the drug problem, there is also the issue of being arrested for improper behavior when crossing the border. Due to the frequent exchanges of people between Singapore and Malaysia, many Singaporeans tend to be very casual when entering and exiting. As everyone knows, if you are not careful, you will be arrested by the Malaysian border inspection.

On the afternoon of August 12, a 42-year-old Singaporean woman entered Singapore from the Johor Bahru Checkpoint in Malaysia with her two 18- and 19-year-old children. Although the two children were Singaporeans, they were both in Singapore. Studying in Johor Bahru.

When the car drove to the checkpoint, the immigration staff asked the woman to roll down the window, but instead of doing so, the woman began to abuse the staff. What was even worse was that she Middle finger!

Later, the three Singaporeans were detained in the holding cell at the Johor Bahru Checkpoint. They were detained for 14 days to assist in the investigation.

In another case, a Singaporean man was arrested and jailed on charges of obstructing official duties after holding on to the hand of a Malaysian border inspector. Some Singaporeans were also arrested for using mobile phones or earphones when passing through border control in Malaysia and refusing to cooperate with border control officers.

So in the future, don’t blame the Chinese people. Some Singaporeans should also review whether their behavior is in compliance with the rules. When traveling to other countries, they must act in accordance with local laws and regulations.