A PART-TIME cleaner who made a bomb hoax call to the Istana on Sept 30 was jailed 12 months by a district court on Tuesday.

According to court documents, Teo Mui Huat, 45, made the call from a flat in Farrer Park on his mobile phone, and asked an Istana staff member if he had reached the Prime Minister's Office.

Speaking in Mandarin to the staff member, he said: 'Someone is going to plant a bomb. Please pay attention.'

He hung up after that. He phone number was reflected on the staff member's caller ID and was later traced.

In his sentencing, District Judge Roy Neighbour said: 'He has committed a serious offence especially when it comes at this time with acts of terrorism around the world.'

Teo had been remanded in the Institute of Mental Health since Oct 1, where he has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.