Corpun file 12783

BruneiDirect.Com, 15 February 2004

Brunei Imposes Caning On Immigration Offenders

[extracts]

Bandar Seri Begawan – Immigration offenders in Brunei are now facing stiffer penalties as caning comes into effect together with jail term and compound fines.

The new amendment to Immigration laws known as the Immigration Order Act 2004 metes out caning penalties to immigration offenders.

If proven guilty, immigration offenders will also be given a jail term and compound fines in accordance with the type of offences.

The new amendment took effect two days ago.

...........

The government has also taken actions that not only strengthen the control at entry posts but also intensified enforcement activities as well as to ensure the effectiveness of the law by amending the Immigration Act from time to time in line with the nation's development and environment for maintaining the prosperity and security of Brunei.

Among the amendments are: any illegal immigrants entering and staying in the country illegally without valid immigration passes, if found guilty, will be sentenced to a heavy penalty of imprisonment not less than three months and not exceeding two years and caning not less than three strokes of the cane.

The amendment also requires any person to present proof that he or she has entered the country without violating the relevant regulation.

Under the similar act, offenders who have stayed in the country for more than 90 days after the expiry of his or her immigration pass, if found guilty, will also be meted out with a heavy sentence of an imprisonment of not less than three months and not exceeding two years and not less than three strokes of the caning.

Persons found to have abetted in bringing in and taking out immigration offenders or taking part in transactions in bringing in immigration offenders, if found guilty, will also be given a severe sentence compared with the present sentence.

The penalty will be an imprisonment for a period of not less than two years and not exceeding seven years and caning of not less than three strokes of the cane.

Employers who are found to have employed immigration offenders and those who are found to have been harbouring immigration offenders by providing accommodation and food, if found guilty, will be sent to jail for a duration of not less than six months and not exceeding two years and fine not exceeding $6,000.

For foreign nationals, who have attempted to enter Brunei without valid documents, if found guilty, will be sentenced to not less than three months imprisonment and not exceeding two years jail and fine not exceeding $4,000.

..........

According to statistics, a total of 202 people have been found guilty and sentenced to a specific duration for violating immigration laws throughout 2003.

This does not include 767 Brunei citizens and foreign nationals who were compounded for violating Immigration Act and Regulations.

According to the Immigration department, it has also become a trend for employers or certain people to recruit Immigration offenders from time to time.

In 2003 alone, 36 employers have been fined under the immigration Act, 69 foreign nationals have overstayed after the expiry of their Immigration Passes and 31 foreign nationals entering the country without valid Immigration Passes have also been brought before the court. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei 

Copyright (c) 2003 - Brudirect.com All rights reserved.

Corpun file 12775

Borneo Bulletin, Bandar Seri Begawan, 18 February 2004

Thai gets whipping under new act

By Rol Ezam and Malai FadleyRizal

Sompong.

A 44-year-old Thai national became the first man to be sentenced under the newly reinforced Immigration Act when he was given 4 months' imprisonment and 3 strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty yesterday in the Bandar Magistrate's Court to remaining unlawfully in the country for 215 days.

The defendant, Sompong Tosungnoen, was arrested at a rented house - Number 6, Simpang 211 in Kampong Kapok, Muara - by Immigration officers from the Enforcement Division two days ago.

He managed to produce his Thailand passport but it was found that his social visit pass granted to him on July 3 last year had expired on July 18 the same year, said the Immigration prosecutor, Moharefandi Hj Md Tahir.

The Thai man had told Immigration investigators that he had worked before with a local company as a labourer but his employment pass expired on June 21, 2003 and there was no record of an extension of the pass.

Copyright © 2003 Brunei Press Sdn Bhd. All right reserved.

Corpun file 15539

BruDirect.com, 25 February 2004

Huge crowds at Royal leadership exhibition

By Maya Salleh & Azlan Jaini

Members of the public from all walks of life at the exhibition.

The Prison Department holding a whipping demonstration.

A demonstration at the Exhibition on the Leadership of His Majesty.

Thousands of people continue to flock the International Convention Centre to view the Exhibition on the Leadership of His Majesty since it was officially opened on February 18.

The visitors comprised members of the public from all walks of life and the number increased significantly during the three-day holidays.

The main attraction of the exhibition was the number of contests organised by participants of the exhibition.

Attractive prizes to be won included airfare tickets, hotel accommodation vouchers, jewellery and electrical items.

The Prison Department also held a whipping demonstration and interested members of the public were given the chance to try their whipping skills.

Most visitors were awed by the Islamic artefact exhibition as they marvelled at the selected collection belonging to His Majesty, which was on display.

Items that were on display included the Islamic Manuscript Prayer Beads, Walking Sticks and ancient astronomy paraphernalia.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin