SINGAPORE — A Chinese national who was caught not wearing a mask properly outside his home was charged on Friday (May 8) with offering a S$50 bribe to a police officer.

Chen Long, a 27-year-old work-permit holder, was charged with offering the sum to Public Transport Security Command officer Chan Hui Shi on Thursday, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a statement on Friday. The officer refused the offer, the bureau added.  

Chen did this “as an inducement to refrain from taking enforcement action against him for breaching Regulation 3A(1)(a) of the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020”, CPIB said.

Regulation 3A(1)(a) states that every individual must wear a mask over his nose and mouth at all times when he is not in his place of residence, unless exempted under the law. 

Chen was allegedly wearing a mask on his chin, TODAY understands.

Under the law, anyone caught not wearing a mask when he leaves his residence faces a S$300 fine for the first offence and S$1,000 for subsequent offences.

Anyone convicted of a corruption offence can be jailed up to five years, fined up to S$100,000, or face both penalties.

“Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption,” CPIB said. “Those caught trying to bribe their way out of Covid-19-related offences will land themselves in more serious trouble with the law.”

“CPIB will take firm and swift action against offenders, and will work with the Attorney-General’s Chambers to press for deterrent sentences against them.”