Fodder forklift operators are fined and fined for taking bribes of $ 1 to truck drivers:

SINGAPORE: Forklift operator sent to prison and fined for taking "low value" bribes from truck drivers at Cogent Container Depot, announced on Friday (15 February) Bureau of Corruption Practices Bureau.

Zhao Yucun, a depot employee, was responsible for managing forklifts to load and unload containers in trucks.

The 44-year-old man received truck drivers bribes in the amount of S $ 7 to S $ 10 in exchange for not delaying the movement of containers to and from their trucks, the bureau said.

When Zhao was arrested by CPIB in March 2018, $ 2.50 worth of Singapore coins were found in the fender of the Zhao forklift.

It is estimated that he collected approximately $ 10,865.50 from Singapore in kickbacks between September 2, 2013 and March 12, 2018.

Zhao was sentenced to four months in prison and fined $ 10,863 for taking "low value" bribes from truck drivers, CPIB said.

READ: 2 forklift operators charge more than $ 1 bribe

$ 1 BRIBE & # 39; THE NORM & # 39;

Zhao is the second forklift operator to be sentenced this year for accepting bribes. His former colleague, Chen Ziliang, was also prosecuted for bribing truckers in Cogent.

On January 10, Chen was sentenced to two months in prison and fined Singapore $ 4,870.50, CPIB announced.

The corrupt practice was revealed in October 2017, when a truck driver confronted Chen after a long wait in line waiting.

"Chen then informed the driver that it was usual for truck drivers to pay 1 dollar Singaporean, at the risk of having to wait longer in the waiting line or to receive containers in bad condition", said CPIB in its statement.

READ: 73-year-old man jailed for attempting to bribe, pushing traffic police officer

The investigation conducted by the bureau showed that Chen had taken bribes of 7 to 10 dollars a day from truck drivers. It is estimated that he collected approximately SwF 4,872.50 in bribes between 1 February 2016 and 12 March 2018.

"There is no limit to the amount of bribes on which the Board may investigate, even if the amount does not exceed one dollar." A bribe of one-year-old. dollar is still a crime, "said the office.

"Singapore takes a strict zero tolerance approach to bribery, bribery or attempting to obtain bribes from all sources. another individual or entity is a serious offense. "

Persons convicted of a bribery offense may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to five years, or both.