In Singapore, ex-ICA officer jailed after drunk-driving crash; lied to police that he drank only at home

File picture of Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) personnel. An ICA officer was under the influence of alcohol when he drove and crashed his car into a concrete barrier on the side of a slip road into Loyang Avenue in Singapore. — Picture from Facebook/Immigration and Checkpoints Authority

First Published: Thursday, 22 Oct 2026 2:03 PM MYT

SINGAPORE, Oct 22 — An Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer was under the influence of alcohol when he drove and crashed his car into a concrete barrier on the side of a slip road into Loyang Avenue.

But Ken Ong Wei Qi later lied to the police about only consuming alcoholic drinks after driving.

The 35-year-old, who held the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police at the time of the incident on June 14, 2025, admitted in court on October 19 to offences including drink driving and providing false information to a public servant.

On Thursday (October 22), he was sentenced to three weeks’ jail, fined S$6,500 (RM20,780) and disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences for 36 months.

An ICA spokesperson said in response to AsiaOne’s queries that Ong was immediately reassigned to administrative duties after the accident.

He subsequently resigned from ICA on October 19, the day of his conviction.

Breath alcohol content double the legal limit

According to court documents, the accident occurred along the Tampines Expressway in the direction of Seletar Expressway, at the slip road into Loyang Avenue, sometime after 2am.

Ong had decided to drive to Pasir Ris from Prinsep Street, after failing to find a designated driver, reported Shin Min Daily News.

The abandoned vehicle was discovered by patrolling police officers at about 3.50am. They noted that the car was damaged, with no one inside.

At about 4.30am, the ex-ICA officer returned to the scene.

He failed a breathalyser test, but claimed he had only consumed alcohol at home. He also said he did not collide with anything.

His breath alcohol content was 76 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than double the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.

Ong repeated his lie at the traffic police headquarters later that same morning, claiming he had two or three cans of beer at home after driving the car and before returning to the scene.

On June 19, 2026, he finally admitted to having driven drunk.

The ICA spokesperson said the agency takes a serious view of misconduct by its officers.

“ICA officers are expected to maintain a high standard of integrity and professionalism at all times,” it added. “ICA officers who break the law will be dealt with, in accordance with the law.” — AsiaOne