Bandar Seri Begawan - A local man was brought before the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate's Court yesterday for charges under the Penal Code involving the exportation of goods without a licence:

The 58-year-old man is facing trial for charges under Section 140(1)(iv) of the Customs Order, 2006 on the suspicion of exporting 220 litres of Diesoline, contained inside 10 jerry cans across the border.

On March 17, 2012 at around 745am, Hj Abdul Latip bin Hj Noordin/Narudin was found at the vicinity of the police post at Ujong Jalan in Temburong. He was suspected of attempting to take the 10 jerry cans filled with Diesoline into Limbang. Such goods are being prohibited on export without licence by the Controller of Customs under the Customs (Prohibition and Restriction on Imports and Exports) Order, 1978.

Under Brunei law, the man faces a fine of no less than B$10,000 and not more than $50,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both. If he is caught for a second offence, he will face a fine of not less than B$20,000 and not more than B$500,000, or imprisonment for a term of not less than six months and not more than five years, or both.

In court, the defendant claimed that his intentions were not to send the fuel over to the border. He declared that he was staying around in that area because he was waiting for his son as he works in Temburong. He said that he was going to give his son the jerry cans as fuel was difficult to get in Temburong during that time. The defendant pleaded not guilty.

In light of his plea, the Magistrate has authorised release with the bail of B$10,000 or two local sureties. The court set October 11, 2012, at 2pm for further mention.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin