Category: Legal Issues

The voting and election for candidate of Penghulu Mukim Sengkurong was held on 5th February, with two candidates competed to fill the position. The counting of votes was held at the Mukim Sengkurong Community Hall, Kampung Jerudong.

Present was Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohammed, Member of the Legislative Council as Head of Kampung Putat, Mukim Lumapas. Also present was Awang Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim, Brunei Muara District Officer. Two qualified candidates to fill the position were Awang Haji Abdullah Hanif bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Dinda Haji Saman, aged 67, and Awang Haji Mustapa bin Haji Masri, aged 61. Voting via online through mobile app ‘E-Undi PMKK’ started last Friday. The results of voting will be brought to the Board of Personnel and Discipline of Penghulu Mukim and Village Heads, Ministry of Home Affairs for further processing.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Voting and Election for candidate of Head of Kampung Benutan, Mukim Rambai was held on 5th February morning, at Benutan Primary School using the paper ballot method. Meanwhile, voting via online through mobile app ‘E-Undi PMKK started last Friday.

The sole candidate who is qualified to fill the position was Awang Haji Hairol Mazlan bin Haji Abdul Razak, aged 55. He served as a Fourth Grade Imam at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and also Acting Head of Kampung Benutan. The results of Voting and Election for candidate of Head of Kampung Benutan will be presented to the Board of Personnel and Discipline of Penghulu Mukim and Village Heads, Ministry of Home Affairs for further processing. Present was Awang Mohammad Sofian bin Haji Basri, Acting Tutong District Officer.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

A local man was charged in the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate’s Court on a count under Section 146(i)(d) of the Excise Order 2006.

The accused, Omar @ Ya’akob Bin Radang, aged 61, was found guilty of possessing 67 cartons and 646 packets of cigarettes of various brands. The accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a fine of $130,600 or 21 months imprisonment if in default. All items were confiscated to be destroyed. Meanwhile, cash amounting to $27.50 and $662 dollars from the proceeds of cigarette sales were confiscated and handed over to the government for further action.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

An individual was issued a $500 compound fine by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, JASTRe for an offence under the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2021, for dumping rubbish in public areas in Kampung Sungai Kebun area.

Pengiran Haji Hassan Bin Pengiran Haji Hassim was given 7 days to settle the fine.

In default, the case can be brought to court and if convicted can be fined not less than $1,000 and not exceeding $3,000 for the first offence and for the second or subsequent offences can be fine of not less than $3,000 and not exceeding $9,000, imprisonment for a period not exceeding 6 months or both.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Two business premises were each issued with $500 compound fines for offences under the Price Control Act, Chapter 142 and its Regulations. The offences were found during a routine inspection by the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics, DEPS, Ministry of Finance and Economy in January 2023.

Syarikat Naseem Enterprise and De Rimba Department Store Sdn. Bhd. were found to have failed to display price tags on some items sold such as vegetables, fruits, powdered milk formula and canned liquid milk.

Last month, 16 Warning Notices were issued to 16 business premises for selling above the maximum price set for cooking oil products and failing to comply with the rules for displaying price tags, namely not displaying price tags and displaying misleading price tags. Businesses are reminded to always be responsible and conduct business ethically by complying with the Price Control Act, Chapter 142 and its regulations in an effort to develop a resilient domestic business ecosystem.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

As an effort to educate the community about proper waste disposal, Green Brunei welcomes the public to participate in the Recycle Campaign by bringing recyclable items. The campaign is an initiative to support the efforts of the Brunei Darussalam Climate Change Secretariat, BCCS in reducing solid waste by 1 kilogram per person per day by 2035.

Items received are paper, newspapers, boxes, metal that are cleaned and emptied; and electronic waste namely computer equipment. The campaign will be held this Sunday, 5th of February 2023 at the ground floor, Kontena Park parking area, from 9 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon. To date, Green Brunei has collected 152,100 kilogrammes of recyclable items since 2014.

For more information, visit Green Brunei’s Instagram ‘@GreenBrunei’ or contact 824 2229.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Two businesses were issued with the Notice to Vacate the Premises Unit during a joint inspection conducted by the Authority for Building Control and Construction Industry, ABCi with related building control agencies.

Dil’s Cafe and Indian Delights Restaurant have been issued with the Notice to Vacate the Premises Unit as stated under Section 16(i)(a), Building Control Order, 2014. The inspection found that the companies have carried out renovations without obtaining the Occupation Permit, OP. If found guilty, the companies can face a fine of not more than $20,000, imprisonment of not more than 6 months OR both.

Owners, operators and tenants of building units/ premises are reminded to comply with the Building Control Order 2014, Building Control Regulations 2014, standards and guidelines that are currently running for any renovation works and additions to units / premises by appointing A Qualified Person who is legally registered and has a Practicing Certificate under the Architects, Professional Engineers and Surveyors Board, Ministry of Development and the construction works must be carried out by Contractors who have valid registration under the Ministry of Development as well as the appropriate work category.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The U.N. special rapporteur for Myanmar warned Tuesday that two years after its coup, Myanmar’s military will try to legitimize its hold on power through sham elections this year, and he urged the international community not to recognize or engage with the junta.

“They have been unsuccessful in securing legitimacy,” Tom Andrews said of the military leadership during a news conference on the eve of the anniversary of the coup, which ousted the democratically elected National Unity Government.

“So, what they are attempting to do is create this faux/fake election, in which it looks as if there’s going to be a legitimate, democratically elected government formed so that the page can be turned and they will have the legitimacy after the so-called election that they are failing to get now,” he said.

Andrews, an independent human rights expert whose mandate comes from the U.N. Human Rights Council, said the conditions for valid elections do not exist in the country, where opposition members are arrested, tortured and executed, the media is prohibited from doing its job, and it is a criminal act to criticize the military regime.

“These are not the conditions for a free and fair election, these are conditions for a fraud that is going to be attempted to be perpetrated against the people of Myanmar, and a fraud the junta hopes that the international community will buy into,” the special rapporteur warned.

He said the junta would try to spin a narrative to the population that the international community is accepting their regime, their power is inevitable, and opposition is futile.

The special rapporteur said he had sent his report to the Myanmar military rulers but has not received any response.

The military grabbed power on February 1, 2021, alleging massive election fraud in the November 2020 election, which saw Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) secure 396 of the 498 contested parliament seats, while the military’s political party won only 33. The military was also guaranteed a bloc comprising 25% of the seats, enabling it to prevent any constitutional amendment.

Regional response

In April 2021, the 10-member ASEAN bloc came up with a “five-point consensus” plan to end the fighting and move to dialogue. Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing agreed at the time to the package of proposals but has failed to implement it.

“As a result of his actions and the junta’s actions, and I think as a result of the continuing deterioration of conditions inside of Myanmar and the impact that has on the region, you have more and more ASEAN countries speaking out,” Andrews said.

He cited Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines for criticizing the junta, reducing their diplomatic engagement with the State Administration Council and calling for a stronger stand by ASEAN on enforcing the five-point consensus.

Two years of a brutal crackdown have led to rising poverty and displacement. This year, 17.6 million people are projected to need humanitarian assistance in Myanmar.

“That is in contrast to 1 million who were in need of aid before the coup,” Andrews emphasized.

While several countries have imposed targeted sanctions on the military and its revenue sources, the special rapporteur’s call for an international arms embargo has gone unheeded.

Source: Voice of America

Accelerated digitalisation during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of internet-facing application and potential exposure to cyber-attacks.

According to a press release from Unified National Networks, UNN Sendirian Berhad, businesses can strengthen their applications and mitigate against cyber exploitation by taking a proactive strategy of performing penetration testing. Penetration testing, also known as PenTest, is a method of proactively assessing vulnerabilities of computer systems, networks, or web applications. The Cyber Security Portfolio from UNN Sendirian Berhad now includes PenTest-as-a-Service, PTAAS as part of its continuous effort to support the digitalisation of Brunei Darussalam under Wawasan Brunei 2035.

With UNN PTAAS, organisations in the country can gain access to cyber security experts, mitigate against cyber exploits and protect their digital assets. For more information, visit ‘unn.com.bn’.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

A company was issued a compound fine by the Enforcement Unit, Tutong District Office for violating the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2021 – dumping rubbish in public areas.

SRIBOB ENTERPRISE was issued a $500 fine and is required to settle the fine within seven days. If in default, the company can be brought to court and if convicted, can be fined not less than $2,000, and not exceeding $10,000.

For the second or subsequent offences, they can face a fine of not less than $10,000 and not exceeding $30,000 and imprisonment of not more than 12 months or both.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

A civil servant must instil trust, caring attitude, integrity, and noble character as well as being prudent in carrying out any entrusted duty. This was stressed upon at the Syariah Courts Annual Assembly 2023, 28th January morning.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awang Haji Salim bin Haji Besar, Chief Syarie Judge also said these noble values must be present in every civil servant, specifically in the Syariah Court so that the services provided are always of high quality, in line with the current global trends. The annual assembly aimed to enhance cooperation towards further improving the Syariah Court’s achievement, in accordance with the ever challenging globalisation.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

By command of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al- Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, following the dissolution of the Legislative Council, it is hereby announced that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to the appointment of the new members of the Legislative Council as follows:

Speaker

– The Honourable Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib.

Ex-Officio Members, Prime Minister and Ministers According to Section 1 (a) (i) of the Second Schedule of Article 24 (i).

– His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance and Economy and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

– His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

– The Honourable, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim, Special Advisor to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

– The Honourable, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs.

– The Honourable, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

– The Honourable, Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health.

– The Honourable, Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and

Second Minister of Finance and Economy.

– The Honourable, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs.

– The Honourable, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Home Affairs.

– The Honourable, Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism.

– The Honourable, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Minister of Development.

– The Honourable, Datin Seri Setia Dr. Dayang Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Md Salleh, Minister of Education.

– The Honourable, Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications.

– The Honourable, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Titled Persons According To Section 1 (a) (ii) Of The Second Schedule Of Article 24 (i)

– Yang Dimuliakan, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim

– Yang Dimuliakan, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusuf.

– Yang Dimuliakan, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman.

Persons Who Have Achieved Distinction According To Section 1 (a) (iii) and 1 (a) (iv) Of The Second Schedule Of Article 24 (i)

– Yang Mulia, Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd Salam.

– Yang Mulia, Awang Lau How Teck.

– Yang Mulia, Dayang Chong Chin Yee.

– Yang Mulia, Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin.

– Yang Mulia, Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin.

– Yang Mulia, Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Momin.

– Yang Mulia, Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin.

District Representatives According To Section 5 (1) Of The Second Schedule Of Article 24 (1)

– Yang Mulia, Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin, Penghulu Mukim Lumapas, Brunei Muara District.

– Yang Mulia, Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat, Ketua Kampung Subok, Brunei Muara District.

– Yang Mulia, Awang Zainol bin Mohamed, Ketua Kampung Putat, Brunei Muara District.

– Yang Mulia, Awang Mohamad Ali bin Tanjong, Ketua Kampong Lumapas B, Brunei Muara District.

– Yang Mulia, Awang Haji Daud bin Jihan, Ketua Kampung Belimbing, Brunei Muara District.

– Yang Mulia, Awang Salleh bin Haji Othman, Penghulu Mukim Bukit Sawat, Belait District.

– Yang Mulia, Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann, Ketua Kampung Bukit Sawat, Belait District.

– Yang Mulia, Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub, Penghulu Mukim Ukong, Tutong District.

– Yang Mulia, Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan, Ketua Kampung Sengkarai, Tutong District.

– Yang Mulia, Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir, Ketua Kampung Labu Estate dan Piasau- Piasau, Temburong District.

Clerk to The Legislative Council

– Yang Dimuliakan, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Jaya Dato Paduka Awang Haji Judin bin Haji Asar.

The date of appointment of the new members of the Legislative Council is effective from Friday, 27th of Jamadilakhir, 1444 corresponding to 20th of January, 2023.

Source: Radio Television Brunei