SINGAPORE - A Chinese national who tried to bribe an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer to gain entry into Singapore has been sentenced to three months' jail.

Lin Xiurong was charged in court on Jan 18 this year with one count of corruptly giving gratification amounting to $200 to ICA officer Arman Jamair as an inducement to allow her entry into Singapore, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 12).

She had flown into Singapore from Thailand on Dec 5 last year and was being escorted by Mr Arman to the Immigration Duty Officer counter at Changi Airport, investigations showed.

While walking to the counter, Lin pulled out a stack of four $50 notes and stuffed the cash into Mr Arman's jacket pocket, hoping to be granted entry into Singapore.

Mr Arman did not accept the bribe. Instead, a report was made with CPIB.

It is an offence to bribe or try to bribe public officers in Singapore.

Anyone convicted of a corruption offence can be jailed up to five years and/or fined up to $100,000.

CPIB in its statement said Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, and CPIB will not hesitate to take action against anyone involved in corrupt practices.