In a world where international travel is more accessible than ever, it’s essential to adhere to the rules and regulations of each country you visit.
The story of Zeng Xiuying, a 52-year-old Chinese national, and her companion, Wu Zhang Wang, serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that can arise when travelers don’t comply with these rules.
The Arrival
According to TODAY, on the afternoon of October 16, 2023, Zeng and her companion Wu Zhang Wang arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 1 in Singapore.
Their ultimate destination was Amsterdam, Netherlands, with a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight scheduled to depart at 12:40 am the following day. However, their plans hit a snag when they reached departure gate C15.
Denied Entry
Ms. Suriah Samsi, an agent of KLM employed by Sats Security Services, screened the duo and discovered that they did not possess the necessary visas to travel to Amsterdam.
Consequently, she denied them entry to the boarding area and reported the situation to other KLM staff. The airline also decided not to allow Zeng and Wu to board the flight.
The Involvement of Mr. Ronald Michael Jansen
To further communicate the denial to the two travelers, Mr. Ronald Michael Jansen, a Certis Cisco officer, was summoned.
He approached Zeng and Wu, explaining to them, in Mandarin, that they were not permitted to board the flight.
Despite his efforts, Zeng was determined to make the journey.
The Bribery Attempt
Zeng’s desperation led her to make a grave mistake. In a last-ditch effort to secure a spot on the flight, she approached Mr. Jansen and offered him approximately US$50, asking him to use his influence to help her board.
However, Mr. Jansen refused her offer and reiterated that he could not accept her money.
A Second Attempt
Undeterred by her initial failure, Zeng made another attempt to bribe her way onto the flight. While she and Wu were still near departure gate C15, Ms. Suriah asked for Zeng’s passport to check her travel history.
Zeng handed over her passport along with at least US$50 concealed underneath it and requested Ms. Suriah’s assistance, once again in Mandarin.
Ms. Suriah promptly rejected the bribe.
Legal Consequences
Zeng’s brazen attempts to bribe the airport officials did not go unnoticed. She was subsequently arrested for her actions, which constituted an offense under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
During the course of the investigation, Zeng admitted to her attempts to bribe both Mr. Jansen and Ms. Suriah.
However, she claimed that she offered them only a single US$50 note.
Sentencing
In court, Zeng pleaded for a more lenient sentence, arguing that she offered the money to the officers to request information from the airline about her inability to board the plane.
She emphasized that this was her first time traveling abroad. Despite her plea, she was sentenced to four weeks in jail for her corrupt actions.
The case of Zeng Xiuying at Changi Airport serves as a cautionary tale for all travelers.
Attempting to bribe officials to circumvent the rules and regulations of a foreign country can have severe consequences, as it did in her case.
The legal system in Singapore took a strong stance against corruption, and Zeng was held accountable for her actions.