A total of 244 individuals and 78 companies were issued compound fines throughout 2024 by the Municipal Enforcement and Control Division under the Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) Municipal Department for violating Section 12 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act (Amendment) 2021, which prohibits irresponsible rubbish disposal in public places or on land.
Under Section 12, Chapter 30 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act (Amendment) 2021, individuals face a compound fine of up to BND1,000, while corporate entities can be fined up to BND2,000. The failure to settle the fine may result in court proceedings, where individuals found guilty can face a minimum fine of BND1,000 and up to BND3,000 for the first offence.
Repeat offenders risk fines between BND3,000 and BND9,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. For corporations, the failure to settle the fine within seven days can lead to court action, with fines ranging from BND2,000 to BND10,000 for the first offence.
Repeat offences carry a minimum fine of BND10,000, up to BND30,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. Between January 1 to 23, five individuals and nine companies were issued compound fines totalling BND12,600 under the same act.
The enforcement operations involved multiple government agencies, including the Royal Brunei Police Force, Immigration and National Registration Department, Department of Labour, Fire and Rescue Department, and the Department of Environmental Health Services.
The BSB Municipal Department reminded the public, including building owners and tenants, to uphold the cleanliness, beauty, safety, and well-being of Bandar Seri Begawan. – James Kon & Fadley Faisal
