James Kon

Twenty people who attended a late-night party at a hotel last Sunday violating mass gathering restrictions, which is against the Infectious Disease Act Chapter 204, were arrested.

The arrests were made when police personnel responded to complaints of loud music from a room on the fourth floor.

After forcing their way into the room, the police and security personnel found 20 adults and teens inside, who were allegedly drinking and smoking. During inspection, four partygoers attempted to escape by climbing down from the balcony to the third floor, towards the room of a person undergoing self-isolation. The attempt was foiled and they were detained by the security guards.

Initial investigations found that five women and 15 men aged 16-27 attended the party, including several uniformed personnel.

The police also found alcoholic beverages and cigarettes in the room.

Berakas Police Station personnel under the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), together with the Royal Customs and Excise Department and the Religious Enforcement Unit were contacted to carry out further investigations.

The detainees will be investigated under Chapter 204 of the Infectious Diseases Act and the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013.

Four of them will also undergo investigation for trespassing under Section 228 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22.