$30 Bribe Lands Chinese National in Jail

 

A Chinese national, Wei Shishan, was sentenced to three weeks in jail on March 27 for attempting to bribe an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer with $30 at Changi Airport. The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to one charge under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Darren Sim revealed that Wei arrived in Singapore in August 2024 to settle business matters for his company. However, court documents did not disclose details about the company or his job.

When going through immigration clearance, Wei failed the facial recognition scan, prompting additional checks by the ICA officer. During questioning, he claimed to be in Singapore for leisure and stated that he would stay for about ten days. However, this contradicted the details on his arrival card, which indicated a 29-day stay.

Due to the inconsistency, Wei was taken to a waiting room for further assessment. Eventually, he admitted that his trip was work-related. Fearing he might be denied entry, Wei attempted to offer the ICA officer "coffee money" and pulled out $30 from his wallet, hoping to secure his passage into Singapore.

The officer rejected the bribe and Wei was subsequently arrested.

During the court proceedings, DPP Sim emphasized Singapore’s strict anti-corruption stance, arguing that deterrence was the main principle in sentencing. He requested a jail term of three to four weeks, highlighting Singapore’s reputation for zero tolerance towards corruption.

Wei’s defense lawyer, Han Wah Teng, argued that his client’s speech impairment, which included persistent stuttering and tics, made it difficult for him to express himself clearly during the immigration checks. Han also contended that Wei misunderstood the legal implications of his actions, believing that a small token, commonly referred to as "coffee money," was an acceptable cultural practice rather than an offense. He stressed that the $30 offer was too insignificant to suggest any involvement in organized corruption.

Despite the mitigation plea, the court upheld Singapore’s strict anti-bribery laws and sentenced Wei to three weeks in jail.

Singapore has consistently maintained a firm stance against corruption, with strict enforcement policies ensuring public trust in government institutions. The case serves as a reminder that even small bribes are treated seriously under the law, reinforcing the country’s reputation for integrity and transparency.