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Adopted: 13 January 2015
Date Filed: 28 January 2015
The government of Brunei Darussalam approved the amendments to the Sultanate’s Penal Code (Chapter 22) and Royal Property Act (Chapter 23). The approved amendments to the said laws took effect on 07 October 2014, with the following salient features:

• The Penal Code Order 2014 (Chapter 22) includes enhanced penalties for theft, mischief, and house-trespassing and house-breaking, which are committed in places of worship. These offenses are punishable with imprisonment terms that may extend to ten (10) years, and mandatory caning;
  
• Trespass on Royal Property Order 2014 (Chapter 23). Offenders may be subjected to a minimum of two (2) years and a maximum of seven (7) years in jail, and with caning of no less than two (2) strokes.

According to the report, the amendments were made in response to the call of the Brunei Government on enforcement authorities to address petty crimes committed in mosques, other places of worship and incidents of trespassing on royal property.

Based on records of Brunei police authorities, petty theft and vehicle theft were recorded as the most numerous crimes committed in 2013.

For the information and guidance of all concerned.

(SGD) HANS LEO J. CACDAC
Administrator