The two men had been swimming along the shoreline near the Causeway. — TODAY file pic

SINGAPORE, Nov 26 — Two Malaysians were caught yesterday morning trying to swim across from Singapore to Malaysia while holding trash bags over their heads to conceal themselves.

According to a statement by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), preliminary investigations showed that the two men were immigration offenders who had overstayed in Singapore.

At about 4.40am, officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint spotted two black trash bags floating near the shoreline along the Causeway. Sensing something amiss, the officers conducted checks and detected the two persons, aged 37 and 39, swimming near the shoreline. The two men were immediately placed under arrest.

Under the Immigration Act, the duo could face a jail term of up to six plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane for overstaying in the Singapore. Additionally, they may also face penalties for illegal departure — a jail term of up to six months, or a fine of up to S$2,000 (about RM 5992), or both. — TODAY