On 10 Nov, a National Environment Agency (NEA) officer was charged with corruption after allegedly receiving more than S$20,000 in bribes from funeral and cemetery-service vendors.
According to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), the accused, a 47-year-old Indian national and Singapore Permanent Resident, worked as a Verification Officer in NEA’s Burial Operations Section at the time of the offences.
NEA later referred the case to CPIB for investigations.
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Between 2022 and 2023, Abdul Salam Jahabar Sadiq allegedly received loans totalling about S$21,000 from 10 individuals whose companies provided funeral-related services or cemetery works.
According to CPIB, the payments were bribes meant to stop him from reporting malpractice committed by these vendors
Abdul Salam now faces 10 charges under Section 6 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
According to CPIB, anyone convicted under Section 6 can be fined up to S$100,000, jailed for up to five years, or both.
Two of these charges have been amalgamated and are punishable under Section 124 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Those convicted of amalgamated charges may face twice the usual punishment.
In its statement, the CPIB emphasised Singapore’s “strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption”.
It added that it investigates all reports and complaints related to corrupt conduct.
Also read: Former SJI facilities manager jailed after receiving over S$67K in bribes from vendors
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