Some 300 to 400 foreign workers filed a complaint at the police station last 11 October against a garment factory for allegedly failing to pay their wages. The police referred the matter to the Labor Department for further investigation. Police later got the company manager’s assurance he will settle the matter when he comes back to the country on 13 October.
The Immigration Department’s Enforcement Section has been carrying out raids on rented houses and quarters of foreign workers in Belait District to nab immigration violators and other wanted criminals. In the raid last 5 October, an Indonesia worker was issued a special pass to report to the department for further check of his documents.
Six Malaysian nationals were arrested in three separate incidents from 2-12 October for immigration violations. Police officers on patrol on 2 October arrested Abu Bakar Mumin, 40, and Putra Batang, 36, who both admitted entering Brunei without valid passes in order to buy petrol. The two were sentenced to three months in jail and given three strokes of the cane each. On 3 October, three Malaysian brothers who also admitted having no valid passes were arrested in the Temburong District. The brothers were each fined B$500. On 12 October, another Malaysian, Wasli Marzuki, 49, was caught by police officers on patrol. He admitted entering the country from Limbang without a valid pass and was sentenced to three months in jail and three strokes of the cane.
Eight Vietnamese fishermen were brought before the Bandar Magistrate Court on 14 October to face charges of unauthorized fishing in Brunei waters. The men were apprehended some 45 nautical miles southeast of Louisa Reef last 13 October. The offense carries a maximum penalty of one-year imprisonment and a fin of up to B$2,500.
The police are seeking information on the whereabouts of Indonesian runaway worker, Kewuh Heru Prastyo Jati, 27, who has reportedly been missing since 25 July. Officers at the Tutong police station first received a report about the missing worker last 13 August.
Sources: Malai Fadley Rizal and Rol Ezam, “2 Malaysians jailed, caned for illegal entry," Borneo Bulletin, 5 October 2004; Rol Ezam, “Malaysian brothers nabbed for entering Brunei illegally," Borneo Bulletin, 6 October 2004; Liza Mohd, “Immigration raids continue in Belait District," Borneo Bulletin, 6 October 2004; Rol Ezam and Malai Fadley Rizal, “M’sians fined $500 for illegal entry," Borneo Bulletin, 10 October 2004; Azlan Othman, “Workers complain over alleged unpaid salaries," Borneo Bulletin, 13 October 2004; Azlan Othman, “Indonesian missing since July," Borneo Bulletin, 14 October 2004; Rol Ezam, “8 Vietnamese face illegal fishing charges," Borneo Bulletin, 15 October 2004; Malai Fadley Rizal, “Illegal immigrant jailed," Borneo Bulletin, 15 October 2004; Malai Fadley Rizal, “Malaysian jailed caned for illegal entry," Borneo Bulletin, 15 October 2004