ICA sergeant charged with corruption

She faces seven counts of graft over granting of 30-day social visit passes to Thai women

Catherine Lim Zhi Yin allegedly accepted or agreed to accept bribes totalling $1,680 as a reward for granting the social visit passes.
Catherine Lim Zhi Yin allegedly accepted or agreed to accept bribes totalling $1,680 as a reward for granting the social visit passes. ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

An Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) sergeant was hauled to court on corruption charges yesterday.

Catherine Lim Zhi Yin, now 26, allegedly accepted or agreed to accept bribes totalling $1,680 as a reward for granting 30-day social visit passes to 28 Thai women.

Lim, who was unrepresented, faces seven counts of corruption.

She is accused of accepting or agreeing to accept the monies from Singaporean Raymond Lim Boon Ian, now 36, between December 2014 and February 2015. Raymond Lim, who was dealt with in court on April 24, has been sentenced to eight months' jail for corruption.

Court papers did not mention why the Thai women were in Singapore.

The court heard that Lim intends to plead guilty to her offences and wants to apply to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme for assistance.

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the ICA said that Lim has been interdicted from service since March 7, 2015.

The ICA said it takes a serious view of errant officers, and added: "As guardians of Singapore's checkpoints, ICA officers are expected to discharge their duties professionally and maintain a high standard of integrity."

The authority also said it had worked closely with the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) when the case was surfaced through ICA's internal checks and investigations.

In a statement, the CPIB said Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and that the bureau will not hesitate to take action against anybody involved in such acts.

Lim is out on bail and will be back in court on Oct 12.

Offenders convicted of corruption can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $100,000 for each charge.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 21, 2017, with the headline ICA sergeant charged with corruption. Subscribe