Singapore jails Chinese tourist for attempting to bribe Changi airport officers

Zeng Xiuying, 52, pleaded guilty to offering a bribe to an agent under Singapore’s Prevention of Corruption Act at the court late last week, South China Morning Post reported Monday.

She and her companion had arrived in Singapore on a flight from Thailand’s Koh Samui on Oct. 16.

The pair were transiting in Singapore to wait for boarding a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight to Amsterdam in the Netherlands on Oct. 17.

But they were denied entry to the boarding area after being screened at the departure gate by airport security officials who found that they did not possess valid visas, according to Today Online newspaper.

The airline also decided not to allow the pair to board the flight.

According to the indictment, Zeng put her hand around a security staff’s shoulder and gave him S$70 (US$50), asking him to help her speak to the airline to let her board the flight.

The staff repeatedly refused her money and went to the counter to check again whether Zeng and her companion could board the flight, but the airline staff announced they could not board the flight as they did not have a valid visa.

While the pair were still standing near the departure gate, another security officer asked for Zeng's passport to ascertain her travel history.

Zeng gave the passport along with at least US$50 concealed underneath but the officer rejected the money.

Zeng was subsequently arrested for attempting to bribe both officers.

Under Singapore’s current law, those corruptly offering gratification to an agent could have been jailed for up to five years or fined up to S$100,000, or both.