​Two local individuals yesterday were charged in the Magistrate's Court, Bandar Seri Begawan online for offences under the Anti-Corruption Act Chapter 131.

Haji Muhammad Suffian bin Haji Bungsu, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Public Service, Welfare, International and Media, Prime Minister's Office who was the Former Director of Radio Television Brunei, RTB at the time of the alleged offence, was charged under Chapter 6 (A), Anti-Corruption Act for accepting bribe of a luxury car from Jonathan Kho Chew Sen, Assistant Head of News and Current Affairs Division, RTB.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Kho Chew Sen was also charged under Chapter 6 (B), Anti-Corruption Act for bribing a luxury car to Haji Muhammad Suffian. An investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, ACB showed that on 17th July 2014, Haji Muhammad Suffian, 50, while serving as the Director of RTB, has received a branded car Mercedes Benz C-200 CGI AMG Sports from Jonathan Kho Chew Sen, 45, who was then serving as Assistant Head of News and Current Affairs Division, RTB as an inducement or reward for guaranteeing the appointment of Jonathan Kho Chew Sen as Acting Head of News and Current Affairs Division, RTB.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Hajah Suriana binti Haji Radin and Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Fitri binti Kiprawi. Meanwhile, the two defendants were not represented by lawyers. The Deputy Public Prosecutor made an application for the charge to be read to the two accused but no confession was taken. The case was adjourned by Chief Magistrate Dayangku Hajah Norismayanti binti Pengiran Haji Ismail by allowing the defendant to be released on Court bail of 10 thousand dollars or two local sureties. The case will be mentioned again on 25th April, 2022.

The ACB reminds the public including government officials from lower to higher levels regardless of their rank and position wherever they work that accepting or offering bribes to any person is a serious offence under Chapter 6 of the Anti-Corruption Act which can be punished with a maximum of 7 years imprisonment and a fine of $30,000 or both, if convicted.

Source:
RTB NEWS

by RTB NEWS

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