Bandar Seri Begawan: A local man admitted guilt in the Magistrate’s Court on May 21 for 98 separate charges related to his failure to pay an employee’s salary over a span of 98 months, from January 2008 to October 2017.

According to Radio Television Brunei, AWANG AJI BIN EYA was sentenced on June 5 to a fine totaling $35,200, with an alternative of 98 weeks of imprisonment if the fine is not paid. The accused has until February 3, 2026, to settle the fine. A portion of this fine, amounting to $20,433, will be allocated to compensate the employee’s unpaid salary.

The Labour Department has issued a reminder to employers about the importance of safeguarding their employees’ welfare, with an emphasis on the timely payment of wages.