A Singapore Prison Service (SPS) officer, Mohammad Asri Abd Rahim, 39, is at the centre of a serious corruption case involving bribes, contraband, and prisoners at Changi Prison. On 25 July 2025, Asri was formally charged in court with five counts under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for smuggling prohibited items into the prison.
According to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), the offences took place across seven occasions between August 2021 and June 2022. During this time, Asri reportedly accepted a total of $3,700 in bribes from inmate Mohamad Yusof Kasimas, 50. In return, Asri allegedly smuggled banned items including nude photographs, prescription drugs, and magazines into the prison facility.
The corruption appears to have been coordinated with the help of two other inmates: Wilson Ang, 37, and Murali Vigneshwaran, 36. CPIB's investigations revealed that both men allegedly assisted Yusof in delivering bribe payments to Asri on several occasions. As a result, Yusof has been charged with five offences related to the giving of bribes, while Ang and Murali each face one related charge.
On the same day the charges were announced, Asri appeared in court and stated that he would not be hiring a lawyer and intends to plead guilty. His plea is scheduled for 5 September 2025. Yusof and Murali, who are currently serving prison sentences, have also indicated their intention to plead guilty on the same day. Ang, however, is currently out on bail and is represented by legal counsel. His case has been adjourned to 22 August 2025 for further mention.
Following the incident, the SPS confirmed that Asri had been interdicted from duty on half pay while investigations were ongoing. The department was first alerted to Asri's misconduct on 10 October 2022, when reports surfaced that he had smuggled nude photographs for an inmate in exchange for payment. SPS immediately launched an internal investigation and subsequently handed the case over to CPIB.
The SPS emphasised that it expects all its officers to uphold the law and maintain the highest standards of conduct and integrity. In a strongly worded statement, the agency reiterated its zero-tolerance stance towards corruption, stressing that any officer who breaks the law will face the full weight of the legal system, including possible criminal prosecution.
Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, anyone found guilty of giving or accepting bribes may face a fine of up to $100,000, a jail term of up to five years, or both.
This case serves as a stark reminder that breaches of trust within law enforcement institutions not only damage public confidence but also threaten the very systems designed to uphold justice and rehabilitation.
As investigations continue and the court date approaches, the public will be watching closely to see how the justice system handles one of its own.
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