Bandar Seri Begawan - The implementations of the Syariah Criminal Penal Code are subject to the date of enforcement and gazzetting of two Orders, namely the Syariah Criminal Penal Code Order and Criminal Penal Code (CPC).

The formulation for the former has been completed while formulation for the latter (CPC) is under review by the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) and will be completed soon, explained the Minister of Religious Affairs, YB Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pg Hj Abdul Rahman, during the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting yesterday in response to public queries.

The matter was also raised by YB Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Hamid bin Bakal last Friday.

The minister added that in May 2012, MUIB set up a special penal committee for the implementation of the Syariah Criminal Penal Code and was jointly chaired by Chief of Syarie Judge and Chief Justice, along with members comprising top officials involved directly in the implementation, such as the Civil and Syarie Court, Attorney General's Chambers, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, police, prisons, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) and the Prime Minister's Office.

Five series of meetings have been held, whereby the outcomes have been forwarded to MUIB in November 2012 and discussed at MUIB in January 2013 before being presented to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

On the date of implementation, the committee has analysed the appropriate time for the implementation and suggested that it would be conducted in stages by taking into account the exact date of gazzetting and enforcement in three phases.

The first phase covers the implementation of provisions which would only involve fines (penalties) and imprisonment under the Syariah Criminal Penal Code Order.

The second phase covers the provisions excluding murder while third phase covers the implementation of all the provisions under such Order. The implementation in stages takes into consideration the capability of all parties and to ensure that implementation is run appropriately.

This also takes into account His Majesty's Titah to run such Order.

The Minister of Religious Affairs also revealed that the committee has also invited experts from abroad who are versed and experienced in Syariah Law to give briefings, courses and guidance on how to implement such an Order. It will be conducted before the first phase is implemented.

There will also be visits made to countries that carry out 'Hudud' and 'Qisas', such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Acheh, Malaysia and so on. The visits will be made before the second phase is carried out.