Image from The Star/Asia News Network
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): A local man was ordered to pay a total fine of BND35,200 (RM115,000) or face 98 weeks’ imprisonment by the Magistrate’s Court for failing to pay his domestic helper’s salary since 2008.
59-year-old Awang Aji bin Eya pleaded guilty to 98 charges before Magistrate Syaffina Shahif on May 21.
The court imposed a BND200 fine for each of the first 20 charges, in default one week’s imprisonment for each, and a BND400 fine for each of the remaining 78 charges, also in default one week’s imprisonment for each.
The first 20 charges were framed under the now-repealed Section 108(1) of the former Labour Act, punishable under Section 120(b) of the same Act, for offences committed before September 3, 2009. The remaining 78 charges were under Section 39(1) of the Employment Order, carrying penalties under Section 148 of the same legislation.
The case involved the non-payment of the domestic helper’s wages from 2008, despite being employed since 2000.
The court, invoking Section 130 of the Labour Act and Section 140 of the Employment Order, further ordered that BND20,433 of the fine be paid to the domestic helper, representing the total sum of unpaid wages owed.
The defendant was given until February 3, 2026, to make full payment, failing which he will have to serve the default custodial sentence of 98 weeks’ imprisonment. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
