A Singaporean man appeared in court today accused of dragging an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer with his car during a routine inspection at Woodlands Checkpoint, CNA reported.
The accused, 40-year-old Steve Ling Wei Liang, faces a charge of causing hurt by a rash act after allegedly driving off while ICA officer Tan Yi Loong was caught in his car window.
The incident took place on December 12, 2023, when Ling’s vehicle was stopped for having a fuel tank only one-quarter full, below Singapore’s three-quarters fuel requirement for vehicles exiting the country.
Officer Tan, who joined the ICA in 2020 and was serving as a deputy team leader, testified that he was assigned as a “departure car officer” responsible for inspecting vehicles’ fuel levels that day.
Tan told the court that Ling had pleaded for leniency, saying, “Sir, give me chance ah, I cannot go court,” before suddenly driving forward.
Court footage showed Tan standing beside a red hatchback moments before it lurched ahead.
He recalled instinctively grabbing the steering wheel as the car moved, locking eyes with Ling in shock.
During the testimony, Ling — who is representing himself — appeared tense and was seen shaking his leg in the dock.
If convicted of committing a rash act endangering human life, Ling faces up to one year in jail, a fine of up to S$5,000 (RM16,000), or both, according to CNA.
