Man, 36, a Chinese national, offered ICA officer S$100 bribe after being denied entry to S'pore, jailed

After a Chinese national was denied entry into Singapore at Changi Airport on Mar. 2 afternoon, he requested to use the toilet while waiting for his repatriation flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

After coming out of the toilet, the man, Chen Yandong, 36, handed a S$100 bank note to an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer who accompanied him to the toilet, reported Shin Min Daily News.

When the ICA officer asked Chen what the money was for, Chen said he had already booked a hotel in Singapore and did not want his reservation to go to waste.

Although Chen remained silent after the officer pressed on by asking why he tried to offer a bribe, his deeds were documented by a camera worn by the officer.

On Apr. 2, Chen was sentenced to three weeks' jail after admitting to his offence.

Went on S'pore trip to extend stay in M'sia

According to Shin Min, Chen flew from Kuala Lumpur and arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 3 with a friend at around 4pm on Mar. 2.

His plan was to stay in Singapore for one or two days before returning to Malaysia so that he could gain another 30-day visa-free entry into Malaysia.

According to Malaysian immigration policies, till Dec. 31, 2026, Chinese citizens can travel to the country visa-free and remain there for up to 30 days for social visit purposes.

After Chen first arrived in Malaysia in December 2024, he tried to apply for an extension for his stay in the country.

However, when he was told that his application might be delayed, he came up with the plan to "reset" the start day of his stay in Malaysia by re-entering the country from Singapore.

He had already tried out the plan once on Feb. 2, when he stayed in Singapore for one day before returning to Malaysia.

Tried to strike up conversation with ICA officer

However, Chen's plan ran into a hiccup after an ICA officer at Changi Airport assessed that he and his friend did not meet the requirements to enter Singapore, reported Shin Min.

Chen and his friend were subsequently brought to a waiting room to wait for their repatriation flight.

While waiting, Chen expressed his intention to use the toilet, and an ICA officer went along with him.

Halfway through the trip, Chen tried to strike up a conversation with the officer, stating that he had something to discuss.

However, the officer declined to engage in a conversation.

Arrested & charged

After coming out of the toilet, Chen took out a stack of S$100 bank notes from a pocket in his pants, reported Shin Min.

He then took out one bill and handed it to the ICA officer.

In response, the officer warned Chen immediately that his action was inappropriate and violated Singapore law.

Chen then retracted the note and returned to the waiting room with the officer.

Later in the evening, Chen was arrested by the police.

He was charged the next day with an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1960.

Lack of understanding of Singapore law not a mitigating factor: Judge

During court proceedings, Chen's counsel said the accused had only tried to bribe the ICA officer because in the environment he grew up in, money is often the solution to problems, reported Shin Min.

Chen's counsel also pleaded for a lighter sentence, citing that Chen's girlfriend is expecting soon and that he needs to pay alimony to his ex-wife and their five-year-old son.

In response, the judge presiding over the case said Chen's deeds had "directly challenged" the integrity of Singapore's law enforcement personnel.

Chen's identity as a foreigner and his lack of understanding of local laws could not constitute as mitigating factors for his sentencing.

Top image via Canva; photo for illustration purpose only