“Integrity, transparency and the fight against corruption have to be part of the culture. They have to be taught as fundamental values.” — Angel Gurría, OECD secretary general.
Brunei Darussalam generally maintains a reputation for having a relatively low level of corruption, often ranking favourably in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (for instance, a score of 60 out of 100 in the 2020 CPI, placing it 35th out of 180 countries). However, this perception does not imply complete immunity from corrupt practices, particularly those involving public officials. The nation’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) actively addresses these issues, revealing a more complex reality beneath the surface.
Notable Corruption Cases Involving Officials
While comprehensive details on every individual case are often limited in international media due to the government’s relatively controlled information environment, several significant instances of official corruption have surfaced:
- Embezzlement by Former Judges (2020): This stands as one of the most prominent corruption cases in recent Bruneian history. Ramzidah Pehin Datu Kesuma Diraja Col (rtd) Hj Abdul Rahman, a former Deputy Official Receiver at the Bankruptcy Office, and her husband, Hj Nabil Daraina Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Badaruddin, a former senior judge, were convicted of embezzlement and laundering millions of dollars. They illegally withdrew substantial cash amounts from court-managed debtors’ accounts, which were then used to acquire luxury cars, designer goods, and high-end watches. The total amount misappropriated was over BND 15 million (approximately US$11 million).
- Former Minister of Development (2010): A former Minister of Development was sentenced in 2010 for accepting a bribe of BND11 million (approximately US$8 million). This bribe was in exchange for corruptly awarding government contracts valued at BND 300 million (approximately US$220 million), marking one of the longest trials in Brunei’s legal history. The former minister was sentenced to seven years in jail and ordered to pay restitution and court costs.
- Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Bribery Case: Although BSP is a corporate entity, corruption within it carries significant implications due to its substantial government ownership. In a notable case, eight BSP employees were jailed for accepting bribes from a Malaysian contractor between 2007 and 2009. This scheme resulted in approximately BND5 million (around US$3.6 million) in losses for the government-controlled oil company.
- Prison Officer Conviction (2025): As recently as January 2025, a prison officer was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to two charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The officer had accepted payments to facilitate unauthorized communication between inmates and external parties, demonstrating the ACB’s ongoing efforts to address corruption at various operational levels.
The Role of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) serves as Brunei’s principal agency in combating corruption. Established in 1982, the ACB is empowered to investigate, prosecute, and implement preventive measures against corrupt practices. Since its inception, the ACB has investigated thousands of alleged corruption cases, with hundreds of individuals brought to justice for offenses including bribery, criminal breach of trust, false claims, fraud, and accepting gratification. Additionally, numerous civil servants have faced administrative punishments such as dismissal, suspension, or demotion for abusing their positions.
Brunei has also consistently strengthened its anti-corruption legal framework, notably with amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act in 2010, aligning it with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which Brunei ratified in 2008. The country also employs criminal asset recovery laws (like the Criminal Asset Recovery Order, CARO) to facilitate the retrieval of illicit funds, including through international mutual legal assistance.
Why Brunei is “Blacklisted” by the USA in the TIP Report
Despite its generally favorable CPI scores, Brunei Darussalam is consistently placed on Tier 3—the lowest ranking—in the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report issued by the U.S. Department of State. This “blacklist” status signifies that the government does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so.
Brunei’s Tier 3 designation is closely linked to systemic issues, including:
- Official Corruption and Complicity: The U.S. TIP Report consistently highlights “official corruption and complicity in trafficking crimes” as a significant concern that hinders law enforcement actions. Reports indicate that some Bruneian officials own construction companies that employ migrant workers, creating vulnerabilities for these workers to become victims of trafficking.
- Lack of Prosecution and Conviction for Trafficking: Despite identified indicators of trafficking and a considerable number of suspected cases, the Bruneian government has a poor record of identifying, prosecuting, and convicting traffickers under its specific anti-trafficking laws. Cases are often handled administratively or prosecuted under non-trafficking statutes, rather than being pursued as severe trafficking offenses.
- Insufficient Understanding and Victim Identification Procedures: The Report points to a “fundamental lack of understanding of the prevalence of human trafficking in Brunei” among government officials and an “institutional lack of understanding of labor trafficking indicators” (such as passport retention or non-payment of wages). This often leads to victims of trafficking being improperly detained, charged, and deported for immigration or labor violations, instead of being identified and protected as victims.
- Systemic Weaknesses: The reliance on vulnerable migrant workers, coupled with a restrictive political environment, can impede effective efforts to combat organized transnational crimes like human trafficking.
Conclusion
While Brunei maintains a robust legal and institutional framework for combating corruption, and generally enjoys a low perception of corruption, the existence of cases involving officials at various levels underscores that the issue persists. Furthermore, Brunei’s consistent inclusion on the U.S. human trafficking “blacklist” highlights a critical area of concern: official corruption, particularly as it relates to the exploitation of migrant workers and weaknesses in anti-trafficking enforcement. Addressing these intertwined issues remains a significant challenge for Brunei to uphold its reputation and enhance its integrity on the international stage.
Sources:
- Transparency.org. “Brunei – Corruption Perception Index 2020.” Available at: https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/brunei (Accessed June 4, 2025).
- The Scoop. “Disgraced judges accused of stealing $7mn from court coffers.” July 23, 2018. Available at: https://www.thescoop.co/2018/07/23/disgraced-judges-accused-of-stealing-7mn-from-court-coffers/ (Accessed June 4, 2025).
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Brunei Darussalam. “Former minister gets 7 yrs in jail for corruption.” February 19, 2010. Available at: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/bn-ko/brd/m_2294/view.do?seq=733937&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&multi_itm_seq=0&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&company_cd=&company_nm= (Accessed June 4, 2025).
- UNAFEI. “Current Issues in the Investigation, Prosecution and Adjudication of Corruption Cases in Brunei Darussalam.” Available at: https://www.unafei.or.jp/publications/pdf/GG8/14_GG8_IP_Brunei.pdf (Accessed June 4, 2025).
- Attorney General’s Chambers Brunei Darussalam. “NEW PRESS RELEASE – Corruption Case.” January 7, 2025. Available at: https://www.agc.gov.bn/SitePages/Latest%20News/New%20Press%20Release.aspx (Accessed June 4, 2025).
- U.S. Department of State. “2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Brunei.” Available at: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/brunei/ (Accessed June 4, 2025).
