A 36-year-old Bruneian woman who was employed as a Counter Clerk at the Department of Labour, Ministry of Home Affairs, was sentenced to 11 months' imprisonment for an offence under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 131. The Defendant, Noor Rasidah binti Othman, admitted to having accepted a gratification of BND200.00 from the owner of a local employment agency in or about February 2019 as an inducement to expedite the processing of Foreign Worker Licence applications submitted by the said agency.

Investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau were initiated following the circulation of a viral message alleging that individuals within the Department of Labour were soliciting payments from members of the public to facilitate such applications. In sentencing, the Honourable Magistrate Syaffina binti Shahif emphasised that it was an aggravating factor that the Defendant, as a counter clerk dealing directly with members of the public, was expected to discharge her duties with the utmost trust and integrity. However, she chose to breach that trust in the course of her duties and during working hours. Although the sum of BND200.00 was not substantial, the court noted that the Defendant had exploited her position for personal gain despite owing a duty to the public. This conduct undermined public confidence in the integrity of the public service. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jordan Tiah Teck Chiun appeared for the Public Prosecutor while the Defendant was unrepresented.