Woman Unable To Kneel Wins $200,000
By Ignatius Stephen 

Bandar Seri Begawan - A woman who could not kneel to perform her daily prayers has won nearly $200,000 in damages in the Brunei High Court. Telecoms Officer Siti Supatin binti Asar was driving her car along Jalan Muara on June 5, 1999 towards town when a car from the opposite direction lost control and crashed into her.

The other driver Norliah binte Yusof died as a result.

Siti Supatin suffered a broken thighbone and injuries to her left knee. That injury left her being unable to bend her left knee, which led to difficulties in performing her daily prayers as well as doing physical activities her job required.

She was unable to get the salary, which she could have got but for the injuries, Mr Yusof Halim, a partner of Cheok Sankaran Halim representing Siti Supatin, told Chief Justice Mohammed Saied.

The court awarded her more than $140,000 in loss of future income, $40,000 and other awards for loss of earning capacity. The judge said the court was making the award for the "weakening of her competitive position in the open market".

The Chief Justice commented, "It is impossible to suggest any formula for solving the extremely difficult problems involved in the assessment.

"A judge must look at all factors which are relevant in a particular case and do the best he can," he added.

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