Bandar Seri Begawan - A foreign woman has been jailed for five Months for overstaying in the Sultanate for 709 days following the expiration of her visitor pass.

Marissa Villena Flordendo, 34, who was charged on August 30, committed an offence under Section 15(1) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 17, which is punishable under Section 15(2) (b) and 55 (3a).

She was well aware that her passport had expired and chose to stay in Brunei unlawfully. She also admitted to running a business while in the Sultanate.

The defendant further admitted that her passport had been withheld by a Filipino man by the name of Mr Lito, who claims that she still owes him B$300.

In a similar case, Ahmad Zainal Faizin received a jail term of four months and three strokes of the cane.

The 35-year-old was detained during a raid conducted by Immigration personnel on August 30, 2012.