Azlan Othman
The Brunei-Muara District Office recently issued BND4,300 in fines to 11 businesses for storing and placing merchandise at public areas, in addition to indiscrimi-nate dumping.
Six establishments were each fined BND500 for storing and placing merchandise on sidewalks and road sections. Another was fined BND500 for placing, leaving and dumping waste near rivers and open fields. Meanwhile, four companies were each fined BND200 for storing and placing merchandise, along with other items, on the sidewalks adjoining the business premises.
Each company has been given a period of seven days to settle the fine, failing which will result in a further fine of no more than BND1,000 for the first offence.
For subsequent offences, the penalty is a fine not exceeding BND3,000 and a jail term of no more than three months. In a separate operation, the Licensing and Enforcement Division and the Stalls Unit of District Development at the Brunei-Muara District Office, together with the Health Enforcement Unit at the Ministry of Health (MoH), carried out inspections on several stalls in the Brunei-Muara District.
Five stalls were targetted in Kampong Selayun Mufakat, Kampong Jangsak, Jerudong Beach, Kampong Lambak Kiri and Kampong Lambak Kanan.
Forty-one business premises were also inspected. One food premise was issued a fine of BND100 under the Infectious Diseases Act (Chapter 204), for failing to conduct body temperature checks.
The public and business owners are advised to always comply with MoH regulations and to work together in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
Business owners are also reminded not to place any goods on sidewalks and in parking areas without first obtaining permission.
They should avoid the practice of indiscriminate dumping, which can cause environmental pollution and the spread of contagious diseases.
Contact the Licensing and Enforcement Division of the Brunei-Muara District Office at 2381581 to lodge complaints on illegal dumping.