Somasundaram Mookaiah
Singapore Police Force

Having worked in the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for 22 years, Station Inspector (SI) Somasundaram Mookaiah had investigated countless cases and come across all kinds of criminals. One particular incident will always remain fresh in his memory. That was the occasion he was offered a bribe of $100,000.

The incident took place in March 2000. Some immigration officers had apprehended a large group of foreign workers with photocopied work permits. The workers led the police officers to a construction site in Bedok to see their foreman and employer. Their employer offered to get the original permits from his home where he claimed they were kept. However, he left and never returned.

The next day, SI Somasundaram and two other investigation officers followed a trail that led to a double-storey terrace house off Bukit Timah. There they found the employer and his father, who owned the construction company.

When the SPF officers raided the terrace house, they noticed a locked room on the second floor. The boss of the construction company, who claimed to own the house, said he had lost the key to the room.

SI Somasundaram did not want to take any chances and called for reinforcements. When the officers arrived, they broke down the door.

SI Somasundaram described what happened: "When we were breaking down the door, we heard sounds inside. Then we saw quite a number of foreign workers in the room. Some of them climbed out of the windows to the neighbouring units and onto the roof. Others were running out through the door. It was very messy."

In the end, eight of the foreign workers were caught. The boss of the construction company and his son were arrested, charged for harbouring illegal immigrants and held in remand at Tanglin Police Station.

Saying 'No!' to $100,000 bribe

A few days later, the construction company boss led SI Somasundaram and two investigation officers to a flat in Clementi West where he claimed a relative of his stayed.

While his colleagues went up to check the unit, SI Somasundaram stayed in the police car with the construction company boss.

That was when the man made his move. Speaking in Malay, he asked SI Somasundaram to help him "settle the matter".

As most offenders plead for leniency, SI Somasundaram asked him to clarify what he meant by "settle".

"Let me go," he said. "I will give you $100,000."

Indignant, SI Somasundaram lost his temper and gave the man a thorough scolding.

By then the man knew his case was lost. But it was only later that he realised his charges were compounded as SI Somasundaram reported the bribery attempt to his superior officer.

Subsequently, the boss of the construction company was convicted and fined by the court for attempting to bribe a public officer.

Commended for upholding integrity

Reflecting on the incident, SI Somasundaram said: "I had never been offered a bribe before. I heard about bribes being offered to other Home Team officers, but never such a large amount of money.

"He was clearly aware that I knew he had several projects worth millions so he could afford it. He must have been watching us while we were going through his documents."

The sum that SI Somasundaram was offered was the largest ever put forward to an SPF officer. Sharing why he turned it down so readily, he said: "He was committing an offence by offering a bribe to get away from being punished for an offence he had committed. Rejecting the bribe was a matter of principle."

For upholding integrity, SI Somasundaram was commended by Police Commissioner Khoo Boon Hui and presented with the Commissioner's Award that year.

The award came as a surprise. Said SI Somasundaram: "It was unexpected because the bribery attempt was a one-off incident. When I got back to the office that day, I just informed my boss who reported it to CPIB. I was called down to give a statement, the man pleaded guilty and I thought that was it. Then the Police Commissioner came to know of the case and requested for an award to be given to me."

The Commissioner's Award was not the only one SI Somasundaram had received. In fact, since joining SPF in 1983, he had garnered numerous accolades including awards from the Police Commissioner and Ministry of Home Affairs for excellent performance.

An exemplary role model

SI Somasundaram shared the principles he firmly adheres to: "Be impartial, do the job right and uphold the law."

He also often reminds his men: "Do not give in to temptation. Follow the SPF values - Courage, Loyalty, Integrity, Fairness - and you would not go wrong. One should maintain the highest standard of conduct when dealing with the public. Only then will the public trust you."

— Contributed by Strategic Planning and Development Division, MHA