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Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau
Press Releases

The Heavy Price of Corruption

10 April 2019

Five airport check-in staff were charged for accepting bribes to under-report baggage weights. Report corruption to CPIB at 1800-376-0000 or online.

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The act of bribery can happen in many forms and value. We do not tolerate bribery even when the amount is small because some corrupt acts can possibly lead to the compromise of our public safety.

2. On 10 April 2019, five individuals were charged with the following:

a) Mohammad Haris Bin Mohammad Ali, 23-year-old male Singaporean, a customer service associate in the employment of SATS Asia Pacific Star Pte Ltd at the material time.

i. One count of corruptly accepting gratification of at least 6 packets of cigarettes (worth approximately $66) on multiple occasions between April and May 2018 from one Ahmad as a reward for under-reporting the weight of passengers’ baggages in the flight check-in computer system. This constitutes an offence punishable under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act Chapter 241, which is an amalgamated charge pursuant to section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 68.

b) Gerizim Kirubai Raj Deved, 35-year-old male Singaporean, a customer service associate in the employment of SATS Asia Pacific Star Pte Ltd at the material time.

ii. One count of corruptly accepting gratification amounting to at least $630 on multiple occasions between January and July 2018 from one Gajendran Ramesh (“Ramesh”) as a reward for under-reporting the weight of Ramesh’s baggage in the flight check-in computer system. This constitutes an offence punishable under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act Chapter 241, which is an amalgamated charge pursuant to section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 68.

c) Ayyadurai Karunanithi, 47-year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident, a customer service associate in the employment of UBTS Pte Ltd at the material time.

iii. One count of corruptly accepting gratification on multiple occasions between April and May 2018 amounting to at least $500 from one Saravanan Muthuraja as a reward for under-reporting the weight of passengers’ baggages in the flight check-in computer system. This constitutes an offence punishable under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act Chapter 241, which is an amalgamated charge pursuant to section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 68.

d) Patel Hiteshkumar Chandubhai, 37-year-old Indian National, a customer service associate in the employment of UBTS Pte Ltd at the material time.

iv. One count of corruptly accepting gratification amounting to at least $800 on multiple occasions between January and October 2016 from one Gopal Krishna Raju as a reward for under-reporting the weight of passengers’ baggages in the flight check-in computer system. This constitutes an offence punishable under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act Chapter 241, which is an amalgamated charge pursuant to section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 68.

e) Gopal Krishna Raju, 37-year-old Indian National

v. One count of corruptly giving gratification amounting to at least $800 on multiple occasions between January and October 2016 to one Patel Hiteshkumar Chandubhai (“Patel”), a customer service associate in the employment of UBTS Pte Ltd as a reward for Patel to under-report the weight of passengers’ baggages in the flight check-in computer system. This constitutes an offence punishable under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act Chapter 241, which is an amalgamated charge pursuant to section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 68.

3. Corrupt practices of such nature will not only tarnish the excellent reputation of Singapore’s Changi Airport but more importantly, it may undermine our safety in air travel. The CPIB will not tolerate any corrupt practices and offenders will bear the full brunt of the law. Any person who is convicted of a corruption offence can be fined up to $100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment of up to 5 years or to both.

4. The CPIB looks into all corruption complaints and reports, including anonymous ones, and can be reached via the following channels:

a) Visit or write to us at the CPIB Headquarters @ 2 Lengkok Bahru, S159047 or Corruption Reporting & Heritage Centre @ 247 Whitley Road S297830;
b) Call the Duty Officer at 1800-376-0000;
c) Lodge an e-Complaint; or
d) Email us at report@cpib.gov.sg (opens in new tab)

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau