A tourist aged 41 was detained on Thursday ( April 17 ) for allegedly offering a National Environment Agency ( NEA ) officer a bribe in order to avoid being fined for smoking in an unmarked area of Orchard Road.
Huang Qiulin is accused of giving pleasure in a dishonest manner under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
On March 26, he smoked outside a shopping center along Orchard Road while on vacation in Singapore.
According to a press release from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureatu ( CPIB ), the area was not designated for smoking.
Except for designated smoking areas, tobacco has been prohibited in public spaces in the Orchard Road region since January 2019.
NEA enforcement officer Tan Tar Chuak allegedly offered Huang a S$ 50 ( US$ 38 ) bribe to persuade Mr. Tan and two coworkers not to take legal action against him.
According to CPIB, the police agent rejected the reward.
Huang, a resident of China, entered a guilty plea in front of the district judge. He is currently on S$ 5,000 bail and will go back to court on May 15.
Up to five years in prison or a fine of up to S$ 100, 000, or both are possible penalties for fraud.
A content fee of S$ 200 may be required for those who smoke in a prohibited area. The criminals may become subject to a fine of up to S$ 1, 000 if found guilty in court.