A couple from China realised they were not able to sustain themselves after illegally staying in Singapore for about 19 years.
Ding Hui Yun and her husband, Huang Dong Ming, both 68, later turned themselves in to the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA)’s repatriation division, hoping to be deported back to China.
Ding has now been sentenced to six months in jail and a fine of S$2,000 in lieu of caning.
She pleaded guilty to one charge of violating the Immigration Act and overstaying her special pass for 19 years, two months, and 23 days.
A second charge of failing to comply with her special pass conditions was taken into consideration.
However, she will have to serve an additional 12 days in lieu as the fine was not paid.
Huang was set to appear in court with Ding on Oct. 6, but did not turn up as he was sick, reported CNA.
He faces one charge of violating the Immigration Act and overstaying for 18 years, 10 months, and three days.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 29.
Overstayed
In May 2007, Ding reportedly entered Singapore illegally and was sentenced to four weeks in jail and a S$1,500 fine in lieu of caning.
After serving her sentence, ICA issued her a special pass that allowed her to remain in Singapore until mid-July of the same year as a prosecution witness, CNA reported.
However, she failed to report to the authorities when her pass expired and chose to remain in Singapore to reportedly escape debts owed by her family in China. She stayed illegally in Singapore for 19 years.
She then made a living by picking up odd jobs during her overstay.
Surrendered
On Oct. 6, Ding and her husband turned themselves in to the ICA’s repatriation division after being unable to make ends meet.
Neither Ding nor Huang had a passport, only Chinese household registration documents, Lianhe Zaobao reported.
In court, the ICA prosecutor asked for the maximum sentence of six months’ jail and a S$2,000 fine in lieu of caning.
Through an interpreter, Ding pleaded for leniency on the grounds that she turned herself in and that she suffers from diabetes.
She also asked that she and her husband be deported together as he suffered from high blood pressure, so that they could take care of each other on the way back to China.
For staying illegally in Singapore, an offender can be sentenced to a maximum of six months’ imprisonment and at least three strokes of the cane.
If caning is not applicable, a fine of up to S$6,000 will be imposed in lieu of caning.