SINGAPORE - A National Environment Agency (NEA) officer in burial operations was charged in court on Nov 10 with allegedly obtaining about $21,000 in bribes from 10 individuals.

These individuals’ companies provide funeral-related services or cemetery-related works, said the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in a press release.

Abdul Salam Jahabar Sadiq, 47, was handed 10 charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Two were amalgamated charges, where multiple alleged incidents are taken together in a single offence.

CPIB said Salam, who is a Singapore permanent resident, was a verification officer in the burial operations section with the NEA.

Charge sheets state Salam allegedly obtained the bribes, in the form of loans, between 2022 and 2023 from owners of several companies.

These companies are Mohamed Kubur Services, Kim Zhu Stone Carving Trading, Jasabudi Muslim Casket Services and Marble Contractor, Md Akbar International Islamic Casket, Saith Services, Lian Hock Construction, Urusan Jenazah Ma’al Hijrah & Marble Contractor and Qalifah Services.

He also purportedly took bribes from an administrative staff of Takdir I.S.L.A.M.I.C. Services, and a freelance funeral service provider Muhammad Hafiz Mohamed Nasir.

The bribes were an inducement for Salam to refrain from reporting any malpractices committed by the 10 individuals, added CPIB.

The bureau said the case was referred to them by NEA.

Disputing the charges in court, Salam said he was not given an interpreter when making a statement to CPIB. He said he told the bureau that he had only taken loans.

The Indian national also asked for permission to return to India this month to participate in prayers for his mother’s death anniversary.

Salam will return to court on Nov 13 regarding his application to leave the country.

CPIB did no...