A local man was sentenced on 5 counts of charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22, with a conviction on 12 October 2024. Evidence obtained in the course of investigations conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau have revealed that the defendant, Seruji bin Haji Setia had obtained for himself valuable items, namely carpets, sofa cushion covers, car seat cushion covers from the Managing Director of Daiecharm Deco Sdn Bhd and cash amounting one hundred dollars from the Manager of B.T. Employment Agency on five different occasions. While handing down the sentence The Honourable Senior Magistrate Hajah Azrimah binti Haji Abd Rahman emphasised that public servants are the bedrock of strong governance, however corruption erodes this foundation, undermining the integrity of government institutions in Brunei Darussalam. 

The Defendant's role as a Senior Chief Immigration Officer at the relevant time was considered by the Court as a significant aggravating factor, as individuals in such positions are expected to maintain high standards of integrity and serve as role models. The Court noted that his misuse of authority as the Head of the Work Pass Section by granting preferential treatment to certain business owners and employment agencies undermines public confidence and sets a concerning precedent for subordinates

The Defendant was imposed a sentence of 18 months' imprisonment for the 1st to the 5th charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22. The Court ordered for the sentences for the 1st until 4th charges to run concurrently, and to be consecutive to the sentence for the 5th charge, thereby resulting in a cumulative total sentence of 3 years' imprisonment. The sentence was ordered to commence with the day he was remanded following his conviction on 12th October 2024. The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Hajah Rozaimah binti Haji Abd Rahman, Ahmad Firdaus bin Mohammad and Radin Abdul Malik Wafri bin Radin Mas Mohamad Sufri. The Defendant was represented by Counsel Ahmad Basuni bin Haji Abas of Abraham, Davidson & Company. 

Source:
RTB NEWS

by RTB NEWS

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