Singapore Citizen’s Passport Cancelled for Flouting Stay-Home Rules

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has cancelled the passport of Mr Goh Illya Victor, 53 who flouted his stay-home notice rules.

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Mr Goh travelled to Batam, Indonesia on the 3rd of March and returned two weeks later on the 19th of March via the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and was issued a stay-home notice on the same day.

Despite the notice and warnings from ICA officers, he returned to Indonesia later on the same day, risking the possibility of being faced with penalties for his breach.

The penalties for breaching the stay-home notice is a fine of up to $10,000 and/or a jail term of up to six months.

On March 2, 2020, he returned back to Singapore and was issued a second stay-home notice.

The ICA took strict measures and cancelled his passport and referred the case to the Ministry of Health for further investigations. The ICA also noted that his behavior was a clear example of irresponsible conduct for his non-compliance and such a wildful breach can put many others, especially the vulnerable in danger of contracting the infection should he be infected.

Following the cancellation of his passport, Mr Goh would not be able to leave the country as he does not have a valid passport, however he remains a Singapore citizen.

In light of the rising cases of Covid-19 in Singapore, it is important that we play a part to prevent the further transmission of the disease. Stricter penalties may be given to non-compliant individuals should socially irresponsible behavior continue to be on the rise. All measures implemented by the government serves as an important way of curbing the virus and should be strictly adhered to.