Thursday, September 27, 2007
SIX Chinese women tourists have lodged a complaint with the Chinese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, demanding an investigation into alleged molestation charges against local police officers while they were detained on the suspicion of conducting illegal activities.
The tourists from China were arrested and detained for two days by local police on the suspicion of conducting illegal activities at a house in Kampong Mata-Mata which was rented by a Malaysian national, Chai Kien Kai, who has been living in the country for the past 10 years.
According to the tourists lawyer from the Yu and Chiew law firm, they entered the country legally as tourists "trying to find (business) opportunities to supply textiles for making clothes."
On September 22, nine officers from the Anti-Vice Unit under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) "illegally" raided the house that they were staying in without a search warrant, according to the lawyer, who added that the Anti-Vice Unit refused to present a warrant when asked for one.
"They just raided the house when nothing illegal was happening," he said, adding "they weren't doing anything but just sitting around."
However, according to an inspector from the Anti-Vice Unit, they believed the house was a "brothel", based on a tip-off. "We had a warrant," said the inspector, though none was produced or shown at the time of the raid.
The police searched the premises, but were unable to find any evidence confirming their suspicion. "We didn't find anything, but nevertheless with the circumstantial evidence around the house, we are quite aware that they are doing 'those kinds of activities'," said the inspector.
He did not disclose what sort of evidence was found. However, he replied, "In a way we have found some items that were related to illegal activities."
After the search, the Chinese nationals who only understood Mandarin were brought to the CID headquarters in Ong Sum Ping for questioning. It was there that the Chinese tourists alleged they were molested while providing statements to the police.
"I haven't heard anything about it," said the inspector, referring to the allegations of treating the detainees inappropriately. Furthermore, he was unable to comment on the tourists' statements.
"We didn't receive an official report about the molestation, unless they might be trying to produce a false report," he said. "So far I haven't heard any complaints."
"I'm hoping the lawyers will call me in regard to the molesting issue," he said, adding that he was quite surprised by it.
While the Chinese tourists were detained and put in jail for a period of 48 hours, their passports and official documents were confiscated and sent to the Immigration Department, where an order was issued to have them arbitrarily removed from the country. "It's very illegal to remove people (from the country) without a trial of some sort," said the lawyer, referring to how they were released without charges or guilty evidence.
The inspector confirmed the confiscation. "When they do illegal activities, we are authorised to detain them for 48 hours. So any passport or documentation will be taken and sent to immigration department."
"We followed our normal procedure," said the inspector, "we have the right to detain anybody for 48 hours."
The tourists were released on Monday without any charges, according to the lawyer. In addition, they lodged a complaint with the Chinese Embassy demanding an investigation into the "irresponsible action taken against them by the Brunei Police Force."
"Nowadays, China and Brunei are trying to have closer ties," said the lawyer. "(This incident) could seriously harm Brunei as a tourist destination," he added. "We have tried to contact the police, but they have yet to reply."
The Brunei Times
The tourists from China were arrested and detained for two days by local police on the suspicion of conducting illegal activities at a house in Kampong Mata-Mata which was rented by a Malaysian national, Chai Kien Kai, who has been living in the country for the past 10 years.
According to the tourists lawyer from the Yu and Chiew law firm, they entered the country legally as tourists "trying to find (business) opportunities to supply textiles for making clothes."
On September 22, nine officers from the Anti-Vice Unit under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) "illegally" raided the house that they were staying in without a search warrant, according to the lawyer, who added that the Anti-Vice Unit refused to present a warrant when asked for one.
"They just raided the house when nothing illegal was happening," he said, adding "they weren't doing anything but just sitting around."
However, according to an inspector from the Anti-Vice Unit, they believed the house was a "brothel", based on a tip-off. "We had a warrant," said the inspector, though none was produced or shown at the time of the raid.
The police searched the premises, but were unable to find any evidence confirming their suspicion. "We didn't find anything, but nevertheless with the circumstantial evidence around the house, we are quite aware that they are doing 'those kinds of activities'," said the inspector.
He did not disclose what sort of evidence was found. However, he replied, "In a way we have found some items that were related to illegal activities."
After the search, the Chinese nationals who only understood Mandarin were brought to the CID headquarters in Ong Sum Ping for questioning. It was there that the Chinese tourists alleged they were molested while providing statements to the police.
"I haven't heard anything about it," said the inspector, referring to the allegations of treating the detainees inappropriately. Furthermore, he was unable to comment on the tourists' statements.
"We didn't receive an official report about the molestation, unless they might be trying to produce a false report," he said. "So far I haven't heard any complaints."
"I'm hoping the lawyers will call me in regard to the molesting issue," he said, adding that he was quite surprised by it.
While the Chinese tourists were detained and put in jail for a period of 48 hours, their passports and official documents were confiscated and sent to the Immigration Department, where an order was issued to have them arbitrarily removed from the country. "It's very illegal to remove people (from the country) without a trial of some sort," said the lawyer, referring to how they were released without charges or guilty evidence.
The inspector confirmed the confiscation. "When they do illegal activities, we are authorised to detain them for 48 hours. So any passport or documentation will be taken and sent to immigration department."
"We followed our normal procedure," said the inspector, "we have the right to detain anybody for 48 hours."
The tourists were released on Monday without any charges, according to the lawyer. In addition, they lodged a complaint with the Chinese Embassy demanding an investigation into the "irresponsible action taken against them by the Brunei Police Force."
"Nowadays, China and Brunei are trying to have closer ties," said the lawyer. "(This incident) could seriously harm Brunei as a tourist destination," he added. "We have tried to contact the police, but they have yet to reply."
The Brunei Times