Personnel from the Law Enforcement Division of the Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) Municipal Department fined 25 individuals and 13 local companies in violation of the Miscellaneous Offences Act (Amendment) 2021 for illegally disposing rubbish in public areas between July 18 and 27.
The total amount of compound fines issued was BND17,800.
According to BSB Municipal Department, a nationwide joint operation was also conducted by the Law Enforcement Division of BSB Municipal Department with Land Transport Department on July 27 to ensure the compliance of Chapter 30 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act (Amendment) 2021.
The operation found 35 vehicles believed to be abandoned in public parking areas and roadside without valid approval in areas of buildings in Batu Bersurat, Kampong Menglait commercial areas, Batu Satu parking areas as well as in Gadong.
Twelve of the vehicles were moved to a landfill site under the ‘Abandoned Vehicles Nationwide Clean-Up Project’ while three individuals were identified as persons responsible for the vehicle in question and issued with compound fine amounting to BND1,500, while 20 more have been resolved through mediation.
The offender was given seven days to settle the compound fine. Failure to do so will result in the case being brought to court.
Failure to settle the fines for individual will lead to legal action where upon conviction, individuals may be liable to a fine of no less than BND1,000 and not exceeding BND3,000 for the first offence.
For the second and subsequent offences, the individual may be lia-ble to a fine of no less than BND3,000 and not exceeding BND9,000; imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months; or both.
Meanwhile, companies found guilty will face a fine between BND2,000 and BND10,000 for the first offence, and between BND10,000 and BND30,000, imprisonment of no more than 12 months, or both, for subsequent offences.
The fines must be settled at the Finance Division of the BSB Municipal Department within seven days. – James Kon
