March 31, 2026
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The Brunei Internal Security Department (ISD) has issued detention orders against six local nationals under Section 3(1)(a) of the Internal Security Act (Chapter 133) for activities deemed prejudicial to national security.
In a press release, the department said investigations revealed that two individuals, Mohammad Aizan bin Mat Zaini and Haji Bahrum bin Haji Ludin, were operating as unregistered freelance agents and had allegedly conspired with four officers from the Immigration and National Registration Department (INRD) – Sohardi bin Samad, Haji Jaludin bin Haji Jumat, Ramli bin Haji Abu Bakar and Mohammad Faizal bin Haji Ishak.
The six were found to be involved in assisting foreign nationals to evade legal action for overstaying or possessing invalid or revoked travel documents. They also allegedly used counterfeit and official immigration stamps unlawfully, while collecting payments from the individuals involved.
ISD said such activities not only violate the country’s laws and immigration regulations but also risk undermining national security, as well as the integrity and credibility of the Immigration Department as the nation’s frontline agency in regulating the entry and presence of foreign nationals.
The department warned that if left unchecked, such acts could open the door to broader criminal activities, including human trafficking, drug distribution, smuggling of prohibited goods and the entry of foreign criminals seeking to use Brunei Darussalam as a base for illegal operations.
The Government of His Majesty Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining integrity within the civil service, stressing that firm action will be taken against any parties attempting to undermine national security.
Members of the public are urged to cooperate with authorities by reporting any information related to threats to national security via the hotline 133 or at any BISD branch nationwide. – James Kon