Brunei's Crime Rate: A Safe Haven?

Brunei is considered to be one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia, with very low crime rates. However, there are some concerns about the country's safety, including violent thefts, drug trafficking, and transnational terrorism. The country has a strong legislative framework against transnational organised crime, and it has ratified various international treaties to enhance cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Brunei's unique approach to confiscation allows for the confiscation of assets from suspected perpetrators without a conviction for organised crime. Despite this, there are concerns about the lack of transparency and commitment to combating transnational organised crime, particularly due to the absolute monarchy's power and influence.

Violent crimes (e.g. assault, armed robbery)

Violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery are a problem in Brunei. According to Numbeo, people worry about being mugged or robbed, having things stolen from their cars, being insulted, and being subject to physical attacks because of their skin colour, ethnic origin, gender, or religion. These worries are reflected in the data, which shows that crime rates in Brunei have been increasing over the past five years.

However, it is important to note that the data on violent crimes in Brunei is limited. While some sources indicate that violent crime rates are low, with no intentional homicides reported between 2018 and 2022, others suggest that violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery are a problem. This discrepancy may be due to underreporting or differences in data collection methods.

Brunei has a strong legislative framework to combat violent crimes, including a zero-tolerance policy for corruption and bribery. The country's Internal Security Act serves as the primary legal framework to combat organised violence and other crimes that threaten national security. Additionally, suspected perpetrators of crimes in Brunei do not need to be convicted to have their assets confiscated, which can be a powerful tool for law enforcement.

Despite these measures, there are concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in Brunei. In particular, the country has struggled to address human trafficking, with law enforcement often criminalising smuggled people rather than the perpetrators. There are also reports of high-profile political figures engaging in sexual exploitation, which has not been effectively investigated due to the lack of transparency and press freedom in the country.

Overall, while violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery are a concern in Brunei, the country has a strong legislative framework in place to combat these issues. However, there are concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement and the lack of transparency in the country, which may impact the accuracy of crime data and the ability to bring perpetrators to justice.

Property crimes (e.g. theft, vandalism)

Property crimes, such as theft and vandalism, are a concern in every country, and Brunei is no exception. While the overall crime rate in Brunei is extremely low compared to other countries, property crimes still occur and are a source of worry for its citizens.

According to a survey conducted by numbeo.com from July 2011 to February 2014, respondents were asked about their perception of property crimes, including theft and vandalism, in Brunei. The results indicated that 57.93% of respondents felt that property crimes were a problem in the country, a percentage that is 23% higher than in the United States. This suggests that a significant number of people in Brunei are concerned about these types of crimes.

Theft, in particular, is a crime that can have a significant impact on individuals and businesses. It can range from petty theft, such as pickpocketing or shoplifting, to more serious offences like burglary and robbery. In Brunei, theft may be driven by various factors, including social and economic inequalities, drug addiction, or even organised criminal groups. The small Southeast Asian nation is known for its strict laws and harsh penalties for drug-related offences, including a mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking and importing controlled substances.

Vandalism, on the other hand, often carries a different set of motivations. It can be driven by a desire to cause destruction, express anger or frustration, or even make a political statement. While it may not always be motivated by financial gain like theft, vandalism can still have significant consequences, including financial losses for property owners and a sense of fear or insecurity in the community.

To combat property crimes, the Bruneian government has likely implemented various measures. These may include increasing police presence and surveillance in high-risk areas, running public awareness campaigns, and investing in crime prevention initiatives. By taking a proactive approach, the authorities aim to reduce the incidence of property crimes and enhance the sense of safety among Brunei's residents and visitors.

Drug-related crimes

The most prevalent drugs in Brunei are synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine-based substances, which are known locally as syabu or shabu. The demand for these drugs has been on the rise, with criminal networks involved in their distribution and use typically having connections in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. The use of ketamine and MDMA has also been increasing, and these drugs have been found in transit across the border from Malaysia.

The second most consumed and seized drug in Brunei is cannabis. However, the rise of cheaper methamphetamine derivatives has reduced its popularity. Cannabis is illegal in Brunei and can carry harsh punishments, including caning or the death penalty. In 2017, a Malaysian national was sentenced to death for possessing over 6kg of cannabis.

Brunei has a very small consumer base for heroin, and there is little evidence of a cocaine trade in the country. The high price of heroin and low seizure rates indicate limited availability.

To combat drug-related crimes, Brunei's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has created multiple divisions focused on drug education, prevention, and rehabilitation. The NCB has implemented drug prevention modules in the education system and held public conferences. The country has also collaborated with Malaysia to create anti-drug agreements and host joint workshops and training seminars.

Human trafficking

The Bruneian government has been criticised for its inadequate response to human trafficking. While it has taken some steps to address the issue, such as prosecuting and convicting a complicit official, identifying and providing support to a small number of victims, and increasing labour inspections, it has consistently failed to convict traffickers under its anti-trafficking laws. In addition, the government has been accused of inappropriately detaining, prosecuting, and deporting potential trafficking victims.

The country's anti-trafficking efforts are hindered by a lack of understanding about the pervasiveness of trafficking and the indicators of labour trafficking among government officials. There is also a concern about corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes, with some Bruneian officials owning construction companies that employ migrant workers. Furthermore, the government has been criticised for its lack of cooperation with foreign governments on trafficking cases involving their nationals.

The government has implemented some measures to protect victims, such as operating shelters and providing medical care, counselling, and vocational training programs. However, these efforts have been criticised as insufficient, and there are concerns that victims are not properly identified and are penalised for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked.

To effectively address human trafficking in Brunei, it is recommended that the government increase its efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes, improve victim identification procedures, ensure that victims are not inappropriately penalised, and enhance protective services. Additionally, the government should establish formal communication mechanisms with foreign embassies and take steps to ensure that migrant workers receive and understand their rights and obligations under Bruneian law.

Corruption and bribery

In 2020, Brunei scored 60/100 on the Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 35th out of 180 countries. The country has since not had data in the 2023 index. According to the 2023 Freedom in the World report, Brunei was given 3/4 for having strong and effective safeguards against official corruption. The Anti-Corruption Bureau has successfully prosecuted several lower-level officials, but cases involving high-level officers and members of the royal family have not been prosecuted.

Recent instances of bribery in Brunei include cases involving public officials seeking job promotions. In September 2023, a former deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism was charged with abusing public trust and misconduct for accepting bribes, with the case still ongoing as of November.

The media's ownership by the royal family results in a lack of reporting on any involvement of high-level state actors or royal family members in illegal activities, including corruption and bribery. Allegations of the royal family's involvement in trafficking women for sexual exploitation have not been effectively investigated due to the lack of democratic processes and the absolute power of the monarchy.

Brunei's strong legislative framework against corruption includes a new legal requirement for companies to maintain a register of controllers and submit their details to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. However, there are inconsistencies in the application of these laws, and criminal justice practitioners have applied them inconsistently.

The country has ratified various international treaties against corruption and participates in regional and international forums to enhance cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Despite these commitments, there is limited information about their implementation, and few examples of practical bilateral or regional cooperation in transnational organised crime investigations or prosecutions.

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