The Singapore Commentator

Maybe Singapore should consider getting some of those Myanmar men trying to swim into Singapore to represent it at the Olympics.

4 men caught trying to swim into Singapore illegally
Four men, believed to be Myanmar nationals, were arrested while attempting to swim into Singapore late Friday night.

This is the second time this week that illegal immigrants have been caught trying to enter Singapore via its coasts.

Early Monday morning, five Myanmar nationals were picked up while swimming into Singapore, near Kranji.

In the latest case, the four men were fished out of the waters off Admiralty Road West.

Using night surveillance equipment, Police Coast Guard detected the men at about 10:55pm, swimming with the help of inflated black trash bags.

Police say the men, between 24 and 32 years old, wanted to seek employment in Singapore.

Said Commander Police Coast Guard DAC Jerry See, “These illegal immigrants should not even think of trying to swim into Singapore as they are taking a great risk on their lives by swimming with those flimsy trash bags against the strong currents. It is fortunate they were picked up from the sea.”

Anyone convicted of unlawful entry can be jailed up to 6 months, given at least 3 strokes of the cane, and fined up to $6,000.

So far, 115 illegal immigrants have been arrested for trying to enter Singapore by sea this year.

Call them foolhardy, but the determination and effort of these immigrants would be useful when it comes to training for the Olympics.

Of course, we’ll have to wait for them to get out of prison first.