The Magistrates’ Court on 19 August, sentenced a 50 year old local Bruneian to 13 months imprisonment for contravening section 6a of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 131. An initial sentence of 18 months was imposed but had been reduced to take into account of his guilty plea and duration of the case. Investigations carried out by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, ACB revealed that on 4th March 2020, Duraman bin Haji Japar, the Defendant, who at the relevant time was holding the rank of a Senior Immigration Officer in the Immigration and National Registration Department, had corruptly attempted to obtain gratification amounting $1,500 for assisting in the approval of an Entry Permit application of a foreign national.
On completion of investigation, the Defendant was subsequently charged in the Magistrates’ Court and claimed trial, but had subsequently pleaded guilty to having committed one offence under section 6a of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 131. The Acting Chief Magistrate Harnita Zelda
Skinner imposed a custodial sentence on the Defendant in view of the serious nature of the offences and that the Defendant had abused and exploited his position as a Senior Immigration Officer. The prosecution of this case was conducted by Shamshuddin bin Kamaluddin, Prosecuting Officer from the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Defendant was represented by his Defence Counsel Haji Daud bin Ismail. The Anti-Corruption Bureau would like to remind the public including public servants serving under the Government of His Majesty, not to abuse their position or powers entrusted to them and not to be involved in corruption as this is a serious offence and any person convicted of a corruption offence shall for each charge under Section 6 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 131 be liable to a fine of $30,000 and 7 years imprisonment.
Source: Radio Television Brunei