Lyna Mohamad
Four foreign males were brought to the Kuala Belait Law Enforcement Division office of the Immigration and National Registration Department (INRD) for investigation and further action after failing to produce valid documents during an operation in the Belait District last Wednesday.
Two of the offenders were believed to have violated Chapter 17, Section 15 (1) of the Immigration Act for overstaying in the country after their work permits had expired, while the other two are believed to have violated Chapter 17, Regulation 15(2) of the Immigration Regulation, the requirement for foreign workers to work under their original employer.
Employers of foreign workers were also called in for further questioning and investigation.
Meanwhile, in another operation conducted by the Bandar Seri Begawan Law Enforcement Division of the INRD on Mukim Serasa Industrial Site, a foreign male was apprehended for violating Chapter 17, Regulation 15 (2), working under a different employer.
The INRD, in a statement, reminded the public that foreign citizens caught committing crimes and found guilty will be deported and their names blacklisted.
The department said the violation of the immigration pass is punishable by imprisonment of no more than six months or a BND2,000 fine or both.
Employers hiring or harbouring immigration offenders will receive a fine of BND3,000 for each offender.
