China worker who was allegedly not wearing mask charged with bribing officer

Boon Lay MRT Station Singapore (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)
Boon Lay MRT Station Singapore (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)

SINGAPORE — A foreign worker was charged on Friday (8 May) with bribing a Public Transport Security Command Officer in a bid to avoid enforcement action for failing to wear a mask over his nose and mouth while at Boon Lay MRT Station.

Chinese national Chen Long, 27, allegedly committed the offence on Thursday at about 6pm.

Chen, who is on a work permit, was charged with corruptly offering $50 to a Chan Hui Shi, who is a Public Transport Security Command Officer of the Singapore Police Force, as an inducement so that she would not take action against him for breaching the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, according to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

The CPIB said in a press release on Friday that Chan refused the offer.

As part of enhanced measures, all individuals are required to wear masks when outside their residences. Those caught without wearing a mask may be fined $300 on a first offence and $1,000 for repeat offences.

Chen’s case has been fixed for a pre-trial conference on 15 May.

If convicted of a corruption offence, Chen may face up to five years in jail, and/or a fine of up to $100,000.

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