BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Four local companies have been fined by the Licensing and Enforcement Division of the Brunei-Muara District Office for illegal waste disposal, local media reported on Monday.
According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin, two businesses were fined 2,000 Brunei dollars (1,482 U.S. dollars) each, while others received fines of 1,000 Brunei dollars (741 dollars) and 500 Brunei dollars (370 dollars).
The companies have seven days to pay the fines or face court prosecution, with penalties of up to 30,000 Brunei dollars (22,244 dollars) or 12 months' imprisonment, according to the media report.
Brunei is located in the northern region of Borneo Island in Southeast Asia, and it places a high priority on environmental protection. According to Brunei's laws, littering and improper waste disposal are subject to severe penalties. ■