If Singaporeans are detained in another
country, the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will do
its best to help them, but they are advised to abide by foreign
laws when abroad as MFA has limited powers overseas.
Prompted by the recent string of cases of
Singaporeans arrested overseas, the MFA issued a Travel Notice on
Wednesday (19 October) to remind citizens to respect the laws of
the countries they visit.
The MFA stated that it will render appropriate
consular assistance to Singaporeans who are arrested and detained
overseas. However, it “cannot intervene in the legitimate law
enforcement and judicial workings of another country”.
MFA services would typically include notifying
the Singaporean citizens’ next-of-kin and helping them find a
lawyer.
Singaporeans breaking the law in other
countries could face lengthy trials, heavy fines, long prison
sentences or even capital punishment in the case of drug-related
offences, MFA said.
yahoo