Azlan Othman
Nine Immigration and National Registration Department (INRD) enforcement officers recently carried out an operation targetting a furniture factory in Mukim Sengkurong.
Four foreign nationals were detained and brought to the Law Enforcement Division of the INRD for offences under Chapter 17 of the Immigration Act and Regulations, including working with other employers, not working according to what is stated in the work pass and running away from the employer.
Violation of the immigration pass is punishable by a compound fine of BND600. For subsequent offences, the work pass is revoked and the individual expelled from the country.
Their names can also be blacklisted and no longer be allowed to work in Brunei Darussalam.
While employers who hire immigration offenders can be fined BND3,000 for each of the accounted.
The department reminded the public that it will conduct operations, arrest, investigate and take legal action in accordance with the allocated jurisdiction against any person staying illegally.
Action will be taken against any foreign national in the country who commits an offence.
If convicted, the offender will be brought to court, imprisoned and deported and their names be blacklisted.
The purpose of the operation and inspection is to carry out patrols, operations and inspections based on information and cooperation from the public, either privately or with other enforcement agencies.
It is also to enforce the Immigration Act and Regulations, the Passport Act and Regulations and ensure that they are complied with as well as detecting immigration offenders.
In addition, it is also to enforce the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Order 2019 and to detect any activities that are contrary to the laws and regulations in Brunei Darussalam.
