James Kon
A total of 51 individuals, including 20 citizens and four permanent residents, and 15 local companies were issued compound fines by the Law Enforcement Division of Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department for violations under Chapter 30 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act from January to June this year through Operation Bersih.
The violations included littering construction and commercial waste as well as cigarettes butts, at premises including commercial buildings in Gadong, Kampong Menglait, Kampong Serusop, Kampong Berakas, Kampong Kiulap and Kampong Bunut.
Companies were fined for inappropriate disposal of construction and commercial waste and used vehicle parts, and dumping liquid waste into drains, at Berakas Complex building, Madang Complex building, Kampong Bunut, Kampong Kiulap, Kampong Mabohai, Kampong Serusop and Kampong Pancha Delima.
The rate of compound fines under Chapter 30, Section 12 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act is not exceeding BND1,000 for individuals while for corporate bodies should not be more than BND2,000.
Failure to settle the fines will lead to legal action whereby, upon conviction, individuals shall be liable to a fine of not less than BND1,000 and not exceeding BND3,000 for the first offense.
For the second and subsequent offenses, the individual shall be liable to a fine of not less than BND3,000 and not exceeding BND 9,000; imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months; or both.
Corporate bodies, if convicted, shall be liable to a fine of not less than BND 2,000 and not exceeding BND 10,000.
For the second and subsequent offences, they shall be liable to a fine of not less than BND10,000 and not exceeding BND30,000; imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months; or both.
The public can contact Darussalam Line 123, WhatsApp 8333123, or contact the Law Enforcement Division of BSB Municipal Department at 7291122 to lodge complaints.
Members of the public are reminded to maintain the cleanliness of their surroundings for the well-being of the whole nation.
