Pinoys in Brunei urged to study new penal code before it takes effect in April


This was the point raised by Ambassador Nestor Z. Ochoa at a briefing on Shariah Law for members of the Filipino Community, a press statement of the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

The briefing, held on Feb. 27, was organized in cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

In his welcome remarks, Ochoa also emphasized that as good visitors and responsible global citizens, “We Filipinos should take responsibility to educate ourselves on this new law and its effect on our everyday lives.”

Filipinos in Brunei Darussalam are advised to familiarize themselves with Shariah Law as its penal code, which will be implemented starting April 2014, is a different legal system from the one practiced in the Philippines.

More over, he said: “Well-informed Filipino workers are empowered Filipino workers, able to make intelligent decisions for themselves, their families, and the people around them.  The first step is to get all the relevant information, which is precisely what we aim to do with this briefing. I also humbly ask for your assistance in echoing the information here to other members of the Filipino community in Brunei.”

More than 1,500 overseas Filipino workers and their families gathered in the embassy to listen to a panel of resource speakers that included Mesdames Hajah Adina binti Haji Alidin (Legal Officer, Attorney General’s Chambers), and Hajah Fatimah binti Awang Haji Ahmed (Deputy Shariah Prosecutor, Islamic Law Unit, Ministry of Religious Affairs).

Implemetation phases

The first phase of the implementation of the Shariah Law in Brunei Darussalam is scheduled for April 2014.

The initial stage includes the implementation of all offenses under Part IV Chapter IV of the Shariah Penal Code Order 2013 that are punishable by fine or imprisonment.

For Muslims, these include offenses such as failure to perform Friday prayers, non-payment of zakat or fitrah, and pregnancy out of wedlock, among others.

For non-Muslims, offenses include disrespecting the holy month of Ramadan, indecent behavior, and cross-dressing, among others.

The second phase of the implementation of the Shariah Law is scheduled 12 months after the Shariah Courts Criminal Procedure Code is gazetted.

This phase will see the implementation of all offenses punishable by hadd, qisas, whipping, diyat and arsy except offenses punishable by death. The draft Shariah Courts Criminal Procedure Code is currently being finalized by authorities.
 
The third phase, or full implementation of the Shariah Law in Brunei Darussalam, will be enforced 24 months after the Shariah Courts Criminal Procedure Code is gazetted, and will include all offenses, including those punishable by death. — LBG, GMA News

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