Brunei Phone Operator Jailed for Stealing from Ministry Charity Fund

Pengiran Zulkefli bin Pengiran Haji Metussin, a 46-year-old local man employed as a phone operator at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), has been sentenced to eight months in jail for stealing BND200 from a charity fund donation box and causing damage to the box. The theft occurred on April 4, 2024, during Pengiran Zulkefli's shift from 3pm to 10pm.

Facing personal financial pressures, Pengiran Zulkefli exploited an unattended donation box designated for the MCYS Humanitarian Fund. He concealed the box, took it to his car, and forcibly opened it using a car tyre opener. The married man stole BND200 in BND10 notes from the donation box. Despite returning a portion of the stolen money, his actions resulted in BND140 worth of damage to the box.

Why this matters: This case highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity and security of charitable donations, especially within government institutions. It emphasizes the need for robust oversight and accountability measures to prevent misuse of funds intended for humanitarian causes.

Pengiran Zulkefli pleaded guilty to charges of theft and mischief before Magistrate Abdul 'Azim bin Othman. The court heard the details of the case and handed down the eight-month jail sentence as punishment for his actions. The incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of breaching trust and misappropriating funds meant for charitable purposes.

Key Takeaways

• 46-year-old phone operator stole BND200 from charity donation box.
• Caused BND140 in damage to the donation box.
• Pleaded guilty to theft and mischief charges, sentenced to 8 months in jail.
• Incident highlights need for oversight to prevent misuse of charitable funds.
• Case serves as a reminder of consequences for breaching trust and misappropriating funds.