A 39-year-old Singapore Prison Service (SPS) officer, Mohammad Asri Abd Rahim, has pleaded guilty to accepting S$3,700 in bribes from inmate Mohamad Yusof Kasim, in exchange for smuggling contraband into Changi Prison between August 2021 and June 2022.
Yusof, 50, also admitted guilt to bribing Asri, while a third inmate, Murali Vigneshwaran (36), pleaded guilty to abetting Yusof in facilitating the scheme. A fourth man, Wilson Ang (37), remains under investigation, according to CNA.
Asri, who joined SPS in 2012, was responsible for supervising inmates with the help of correctional unit attendants (CUAs). Initially, he brought in small amounts of gabapentin, a prescription painkiller, as “rewards” for CUAs. By mid-2021, Yusof proposed that Asri smuggle contraband in exchange for payment—a proposal Asri accepted.
The items included gabapentin pills, lewd photographs, and magazines. Yusof used coded messages in e-letters, referring to Asri as “ayam”, to coordinate the delivery of cash and items through outside contacts.
To avoid detection, Asri repacked gabapentin tablets into zip-lock bags after realizing the original aluminium packaging could trigger metal detectors. He then hid the drugs in his socks and underwear. Lewd photos were slipped into his uniform pocket.
Murali played a supporting role, delivering both cash bribes and contraband to Asri at Yusof’s request.
The Singapore Prison Service was alerted to the incident on 10 October 2022. Following investigations, Asri was interdicted (suspended) from duty on 8 February 2023, placed on half pay, and has remained under suspension since. SPS stated that he faces disciplinary proceedings and possible dismissal upon conviction.
At the 5 September 2025 hearing, Deputy Public Prosecutor Andrew Chia sought at least eight months’ jail for both Asri and Yusof, and three months for Murali. He stressed the reputational harm caused to SPS and highlighted Asri’s deliberate measures to evade detection as an abuse of trust.
Yusof was singled out for drawing others into a “web of corruption”, while Murali was described as instrumental in helping sustain the arrangement. All three men will return to court for sentencing on 9 October 2025.
Under Singapore’s Prevention of Corruption Act, each corruption offense carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment, a S$100,000 fine, or both.
Image via Google
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