BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

A BRUNEIAN civil servant was fined $1,000 under the Syariah Penal Code Order after he pleaded guilty to cross-dressing in a public place, the Syariah Subordinate Court said in a statement yesterday.

It said religious law enforcers caught Roslani Hj Metasan, 38, posing as a woman at Bangunan Bumiputera in the capital at 10.35pm on October 17, 2014.

Roslani, who is an unmarried Muslim man when approached by law enforcers, was also found carrying women’s personal items in his bag, it added.

During the court proceedings, Syar'ie Prosecutor Mahani Hj Suhaili said the act of wearing women’s clothing is immoral in Islam as it reflects moral decline.

The defendant’s actions were a reflection of moral decadence as it damages the Malay traditional way of life and religion, the prosecutor was quoted as saying in the statement.

“If this is not dealt with, it can lead to the spread of social disorder such as homosexuality, free sexual relations, drug abuse and so on,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor went on to say that the offender works for the government and should be wary of Brunei laws.

“Thus, the defendant should be warned so that he would return to the right path and to Allah SWT,” she added.

The statement said Roslani was charged under Section 198 (1) of the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013 on October 8 last year.

Sentenced by Syar’ie Judge Pengiran Hj Badaruddin Pg Abd Rahman, he defendant will face a 60-day jail term if he is unable to pay the $1,000 fine.

The first phase of the Syariah Penal Code Order was enforced on May 1.

The Brunei Times