Singapore has pretty strict laws against bribing and it’s pretty much a given that you shouldn’t bribe the authorities.
Unfortunately, this lorry driver didn’t get the memo: he tried his luck and it backfired on him.
So here’s a news flash again: the Singapore authorities aren’t very tolerant towards those who try to bribe others because corruption is a no go.
Lorry Driver Tried to Bribe TP with $100 Coz He Didn’t Wear His Seatbelt; Jailed for 4 Weeks Instead
A lorry driver has been sentenced to 4 weeks’ jail on today (21 February) for attempting to bribe a traffic police officer.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) announced in a press release that Teo Teck Yong, a 62-year-old lorry driver had tried to bribe Sgt Shivasuria back in August 2019.
What Happened
On the fateful day of 18 August 2019, Sgt Shivasuria caught Teo driving a lorry without fastening his seat belt. He then signalled for Teo to stop the vehicle.
Lest you’re not aware, the penalty for not wearing a seatbelt in Singapore is a $120 fine and three demerit points.
Teo “persistently offered” $100 to Sgt Shivasuria in the hopes that he would not issue a traffic summon.
However, Sgt Shivasuria refused his offer and promptly reported the matter to the CPIB.
Teo was charged in court on 27 November 2019 under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
CPIB commended Sgt Shivsuria for his honesty and integrity and said, “Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption.”
“It is a serious offence to bribe, or attempt to offer bribes to another individual or entity.”
Anyone who is convicted of a corruption offence can be fined up to $100,000 or jailed for up to five years, or both.
Hmm, if I were the lorry driver, I’d just accept the traffic summon and call it a day.
A Separate Incident
Separately, in another attempted bribery incident, a foreigner was arrested for driving without a license and then trying to bribe the Malaysian police.
He was immediately escorted to the police station and was charged under the Malaysian Anti-corruption Act 2009 for trying to bribe a public official.
You can read more about it here.
So yes, don’t even try this up north. It’s 2020 now, not 2010.
