| Rokiah Mahmud |
IF A government officer or employee is found to have committed a sexual harassment offence under Brunei’s laws, the permanent secretary or head of department shall or must freeze half of the person’s salary.
The permanent secretary or head of department shall or must also suspend immediately the person from performing his or her duties and obligations from the date of the report received of the offence as proven by the relevant agency.
This is stated in the Prime Minister’s Office Circular Number 19/1998.
The matter was elaborated by YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim, the Special Adviser to His Majesty and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
He was responding to a question by Legislative Council member YB Khairunnisa binti Haji Ash’ari who wanted to know the penalty for workplace sexual harassment, including innuendos such as gestures or manners, and language.
The minister said that under the circular, the penalties are considered as appropriate.
He added that if the person is found guilty under the Laws and Acts of Brunei, and depending on the disciplinary officer, the offender will be terminated from his or her position.
The minister then explained at length the provisions of Laws and Acts for such sexual harassment, such as the Penal Code Chapter 22 Section 59 (under the subject ‘Words, Gestures or Act Intended to Insult Modesty of Women’), the Laws of Brunei Minor Offences Act Part 3 Paragraph 19 (under the subject ‘Indecent or Abusive Words, etc’) and the Syariah Criminal Law Chapter 4 Section 197 (under the title ‘Perbuatan Tidak Sopan’ or ‘Indecent Manner’).
Confidential counselling services will be provided for the victims of sexual harassment to overcome their trauma.