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MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2020

James Kon

Three local companies and a lo-

cal man were issued with com-

pound ines for offences under

the Minor Offences Act, Chapter

30 during routine monitoring

by the Law Enforcement Sec-

tion, Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB)

Municipal Department.

During

Operasi Bersih

14/2020

on July 29, Jimworks Sdn Bhd and

Topcity Enterprise were issued

BND200 compound ines each

for disposing commercial waste

in a public area around Jalan Te-

lanai, an offence under Minor Of-

fences Act, Chapter 30 Section

12 (1) (a).

Carserve Company was is-

sued a BND500 compound ine

for abandoning a vehicle in a pub-

lic area in Jalan Telanai, a violation

under the Minor Offences Act,

Chapter 30 Section 12 (1) (b).

Meanwhile, during routine

monitoring on July 30, Haji Mu-

hammad Norhadi bin Haji Shawal

was slapped with a BND300 com-

pound ine under the Minor Of-

fences Act, Chapter 30 Section 12

(1) (d) for the disposal of construc-

tion waste in a public area at Jalan

Pasir Berakas.

The offenders have to settle

their ines within seven days at

the Finance Division, 3

loor of

the BSB Municipal Department.

Failure to do so would result in

a further ine of BND1,000, or a

month’s imprisonment, for the irst

convicted offence.

Lyna Mohamad

Also known as collusive tender,

bid-rigging is an agreement be-

tween bidders to eliminate com-

petition in the procurement pro-

cess, thereby raising prices and

lowering quality, which is a major

risk to the integrity and effective-

ness of public procurement, de-

priving the public sector of genu-

ine opportunities to achieve value

for money.

The procurement units and the

of icials are encouraged to learn

and execute preventive measures

to combat bid-rigging while raising

awareness of bid-rigging risks has

proven to be an important step to

prevent the anti-competitive con-

duct, in ensuring value for money in

public procurement.

This is in line with Brunei Darus-

salam’s national agenda to promote

the ef icient use of public resources

and prudent spending, as highlight-

ed by the Competition Commission

Brunei Darussalam (CCBD) during

a recent dialogue session with the

Audit Department under the Prime

Minister’s Of ice (PMO).

Held at the Multipurpose Hall

of the Bahirah Building, the Ex-

ecutive Secretariat of the CCBD

applauded the proactive move

made by the Audit Department in

requesting for the dialogue ses-

sion to learn about the Competi-

tion Order, specifically focussing

on bid-rigging prohibition.

Bid-rigging dialogue leaves 40 more knowledgeable

Photos show attendees during the dialogue session. PHOTOS: CCBD

The session was attended by

over 40 of icials from the Audit De-

partment, led by Auditor General

Haji Yusop bin Haji Mahmud.

CCBD was represented by Legis-

lative Council (LegCo) member Yang

Berhormat Nik Ha imi binti Abdul

Haadii, as Chairperson of the CCBD;

Commissioner Pengiran Hajah Zety

Su ina binti Pengiran Dato Paduka

Haji Sani, Permanent Secretary (In-

dustry) at the Ministry of Finance

and Economy (MoFE); and Com-

missioner Hajah Nor Hashimah binti

Haji Mohd Taib, Deputy Permanent

Secretary (Security, Enforcement

and Law) at the PMO.

The dialogue session dis-

cussed the key prohibitions of the

Order, including the prohibition on

Anti-Competitive Agreements, en-

forced since January 1, 2020, and

shared recommendations consoli-

dated from regional case studies.

Also discussed were good prac-

tices from experienced competi-

tion authorities and speci ic steps

to render public procurement pro-

cesses competitive in minimising

the risks of collusive tendering.

The CCBD Executive Secretariat

also shared at great length on the

different forms of bid-rigging and

the tools to detect and prevent bid-

rigging in public procurement.

The session outlined some of

the key measures to mitigate the

risk of collusion, which included

possessing market knowledge on a

speci ic market, encouraging more

bidders to participate in tender, de-

ining tender requirements clearly

and reducing communication

among bidders, as well as clauses

stating that bid-rigging is an of-

fence under the Competition Order

in the tender document.

During the dialogue session,

it was emphasised that procure-

ment of icials should play a crucial

role in bid-rigging detection, being

vigilant on the warning signs of bid

rigging and building a database to

keep detailed records of bid docu-

ments and to report any suspicious

bidding patterns to the CCBD, with

substantial evidence, to enable in-

vestigation. The session concluded

with an active dialogue deliberating

on topics on the roles of the CCBD,

application of the law, tender prac-

tices, as well as potential collabo-

ration between the Audit Depart-

ment and the CCBD in promoting

competition in public procurement

procedures and reducing the risks

of bid-rigging to ensure an ef icient

use of public resources.

Lyna Mohamad

The Tutong Senior Citizens Activity

Centre (PKWE Tutong) held a

Doa

Kesyukuran

ceremony to mark the

birthday of His Majesty Sultan

Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin

Waddaulah

ibni

Al-Marhum

Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien

Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan

and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei

Darussalam recently.

Held at the PKWE Tutong

multipurpose hall, the event

was attended by PKWE Tutong

Companies, individual fined for

illegal dumping

For subsequent offences, the

penalty is a ine of BND3,000

and a prison term of up to

three months.

The public and business own-

ers are reminded to adhere to the

stipulated regulations in main-

taining standards of hygiene

and cleanliness.

The public is reminded not to

throw rubbish in public areas.

Complaints or information

can be directed to the Law En-

forcement Section, Bandar Seri

Begawan

Municipal

Depart-

ment or Darussalam hotline 123

or WhatsApp 8333123 or email

info@123.gov.bn

Personnel of Law Enforcement Section, BSB Municipal Department

during the routine monitoring

The improper disposal of waste in a public area.

PHOTOS: BSB MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT

Manager

Haji

Metamit

bin

Mat Zin, bureau heads and

its members.

The event began with the

recitation of

Surah Al-Fatihah

led

by Head of Religious Bureau Haji

Hamaf i bin Md Yassin followed

by the recitation of

Surah

Yaasiin

and concluded with the

Doa Kesyukuran

The event aimed to express

gratitude for the leadership of His

Majesty and make supplications

to Allah the Almighty for the

monarch’s long life, health and

continuous reign.

Doa Kesyukuran marks

His Majesty’s 74

birthday

Tutong Senior Citizens Activity Centre members at the event.

PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD