Man Charged for Allegedly Offering Bribe to Two Certis Cisco Officers and for Traffic Offences

On 26 November 2024, Sellakkannu Karuppusamy (“Sellakkannu”) (32-year-old male Indian National) was charged in Court for allegedly offering a bribe to two Certis Cisco Auxiliary Police Officers and for committing traffic offences.

2. On or around 13 June 2024, Sellakkannu was alleged to have corruptly offered a bribe of S$150 to two Certis Cisco Auxiliary Police Officers, Sergeant Mohamed Halim Bin Jumari and Sergeant Muhammad Mustaqim Bin Ramli (the “two officers”), as an inducement to be released from custody. Sellakkannu was stopped at the junction of West Coast Road and Penjuru Road for checks by the two officers as he was observed to be driving a lorry dangerously. The two officers rejected the bribe.

3. Sellakkannu was arrested by the Traffic Police for suspected drink driving after failing the breathalyser test, and the case of his alleged attempt to bribe the two officers was subsequently referred to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (“CPIB”). For his alleged action, Sellakkannu faces one charge punishable under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

4. In addition to the alleged corruption offence, Sellakkannu was charged for allegedly driving a lorry without due care and attention along the Ayer Rajah Expressway. He was also charged for allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol.

5. Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person convicted of a corruption offence under Section 6 of the Prevention of Corruption Act can be fined up to S$100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment of up to five years or both.

6. The offence of driving without due care and attention under Section 65(1)(a) punishable under Section 65(5)(a) read with Section 65(5)(c) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a fine of not less than S$2,000 and not more than S$10,000, or an imprisonment term up to 12 months, or both. The offence of driving while under the influence of alcohol under Section 67(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a fine of not less than S$2,000 and not more than S$10,000, or an imprisonment term up to 12 months, or both, for first time offenders. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the offence carries a fine of not less than S$5,000 and not more than S$20,000, and imprisonment term of up to two years. Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.

7. CPIB looks into all corruption-related complaints and reports, including anonymous ones, and can be reached via the following channels:
a) Lodge an e-Complaint;
b) Email us at report@cpib.gov.sg; 
c) Call the Duty Officer at 1800-376-0000; or
d) Write to us at the CPIB Headquarters @ 2 Lengkok Bahru, S159047.

8. Where possible, the report should include the following information:
a) Where, when and how did the alleged corrupt act happen?
b) Who was involved and what were their roles?
c) What was the bribe given and the favour shown?