Three Malaysian nationals have been arrested by the Police Coast Guard (PCG) for illegal entry into Singapore Territorial Waters (STW), in waters off Pulau Sarimbun.
On 18 April 2025 at about 2.05pm, PCG officers were patrolling along the waters near Pulau Sarimbun when they sighted an unidentified sampan. The PCG officers closed in to check on the sampan, but it sped off towards Malaysia when approached by the PCG vessel. During the pursuit, the sampan made dangerous manoeuvres and collided with the PCG vessel twice before it was stopped. Two men from the sampan fell overboard during the manoeuvres but managed to climb back onto the sampan subsequently. A PCG officer sustained minor injuries during the pursuit. The pursuit took place entirely within STW.
PCG officers subsequently arrested all three men onboard the sampan, aged between 28 and 47, for the offence of Illegal Entry, and seized the vessel. The 28-year-old boatman will be investigated for additional offences of rash navigation and failure to comply with a lawful order to stop. Police investigations are ongoing.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
19 April 2025 @ 10:30 AM