Earlier today (July 22), a man was sentenced to two months and two weeks jail for injuring and attempting to bribe an enforcement officer after he was caught smoking at a void deck.
In a joint news release by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) and the Singapore Police Force – Liu Hui Bin, 44, a Chinese national, was spotted smoking at the void deck of a HDB block at Sumang Link on Jan 27 by two Certis CISCO auxiliary police officers.
Both officers, Aruna Magathevan, an auxiliary police officer of the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Mohammed Latiff Mohd Ali, an NEA enforcement officer, had approached the 44 year old man to issue him a notice to attend court for smoking in a prohibited area.
Liu then tried to walk away from the “crime scene” but was then stopped by the officers.
When Liu refused to produce his particulars, the police were called in and as they were waiting for the police to arrive, Liu tried to escape and grabbed the wrist of one of the Certis CISCO officers, he then pushed her shoulder which resulted in the officer sustaining a bruised left wrist.
Liu then took out a $10 note and a $2 note and offered the money to both officers, hoping they wouldn’t take any action against him – both officers rejected his offer.
Police officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division responded to the incident, establishing his identity.
Liu was subsequently charged in court on July 9 and found guilty of voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty and corruptly offering gratification to enforcement officers.
Both officers were commended by the CPIB for their integritous act.
The joint news releases added: “The police and CPIB adopt a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and the assault of any public officers performing their duty. These are serious offences.”
The penalty for causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty is a jail term of up to seven years and a fine or caning.
The penalty for a corruption offence is a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.