Singaporean who made false claim of bomb in vehicle at Woodlands Checkpoint under probe

A 35-year-old Singaporean man is being investigated by the police after he allegedly made a false claim of a bomb in his vehicle at Woodlands Checkpoint on Oct 4.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 6) that the incident happened at about 6.20pm, after enhanced checks on his vehicle were completed at the arrival cargo zone.

According to ICA, the man was travelling with five companions and allegedly made a claim about search and examination officers finding a bomb in his vehicle while taunting them.

ICA said its officers immediately cordoned off the area and activated additional resources to conduct further checks on the vehicle and the group.

The checks established that there was no bomb in the vehicle and he was later referred to the police for the offence of making indecent communications likely to cause alarm under the Protection from Harassment Act.

"ICA takes the security of Singapore’s checkpoints very seriously. All reports of security threats will be thoroughly investigated," the authority said.

It added that its officers will not hesitate to act against those who make false or misleading claims that may cause unnecessary alarm.

Travellers are also reminded to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and comply with officers' instructions at Singapore's land, air and sea checkpoints.

一名35岁的新加坡男子因涉嫌于10月4日在兀兰关卡谎称车内有炸弹，目前正接受警方调查。

移民与关卡局（ICA）周二（10月6日）发表声明称，事件发生在下午6点20分左右，当时该男子的车辆在入境货物区接受了更严格的检查。

据ICA称，该男子与五名同伴同行，并声称搜查人员在他的车里发现了炸弹，同时还嘲讽他们。

ICA表示，其工作人员立即封锁了该区域，并调动更多资源对车辆和车上人员进行进一步检查。

检查证实车内没有炸弹，随后他因违反《防止骚扰法》进行可能引起恐慌的不雅通讯而被移送警方。

“移民与关卡局非常重视新加坡关卡的安全。所有安全威胁的报告都将得到彻底调查。”该机构表示。

声明还补充说，对于任何发表虚假或误导性言论、可能引起不必要恐慌的人，其官员将毫不犹豫地采取行动。

旅客还需注意保持秩序，并遵守新加坡陆路、空中和海上检查站官员的指示。