AS AN investigation officer with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Chung Cheong Weng would recommend to his boss to extend the Special Passes of foreign witnesses, whose presence is required to complete investigations.

But the 58-year-old chief specialist and checkpoint inspector became the target of an investigation himself when the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) received a tip-off that he had accepted bribes.

Chung was charged in a district court on Tuesday for allegedly receiving sexual favours on five occasions from 36-year-old Chinese national Li Yanxiu.

Court documents state that in return, he had recommended her Special Pass be extended.

The offences were said to have been committed at the Bright Star Hotel at Lorong 20 Geylang between December 2006 and April last year.

He also faces a sixth charge of warning Ms Li in early May last year about the CPIB investigations and instructing her to delete all SMS messages exchanged between them.

He also told her to keep mum about their sexual liaison when questioned by CPIB officers.

Chong, who has been suspended from ICA at half pay, was expressionless during the proceedings.

He was accompanied by his wife and his lawyer Christopher Bridges.

His wife posted his bail of $6,000, and Chung's next court appearance will be on Dec 29.

The maximum sentence for corruption is a $100,000 fine and a jail term of five years.

For hindering CPIB investigators, the maximum penalty is a $10,000 fine and a one-year jail term.