ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS
PRESS RELEASE
MONDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2024
The Honourable Senior Magistrate Hajah Azrimah binti Haji Abd Rahman handed down her sentence today, 28 October 2024, following the Defendant, Seruji bin Haji Setia's conviction on 12 October 2024 after trial on five (5) counts of Section 165 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22. Evidence obtained in the course of investigations conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau have revealed that the Defendant 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 BND$100.00 cash from the Manager of B.T. Employment Agency on five (5) different occasions. 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 & Co.
In her sentencing, the Honourable Senior Magistrate Hajah Azrimah binti Haji Abdul Rahman remarked 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 with a sentence of 18 months' imprisonment for 1st – 5th charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22. The Court ordered for the sentences for 1st – 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.
Section 165 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22 makes it an offence for a public servant to obtain or receive any gifts without any or inadequate consideration from anyone who he has any dealings connected to his official functions. This offence carries a fine and imprisonment up to 7 years.
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