Section 33

Every person who takes any part in any transaction the object or one of the objects of which is to transfer or confer, wholly, partly, temporarily or permanently, the possession, custody or control of a child for any valuable consideration shall be guilty of an offence and shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to 7 years with 10 strokes of whipping or to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or both.

Every person who without lawful authority or excuse harbours or has in his possession, custody or control of any child with respect to whom the temporary or permanent possession, custody or control has been transferred or conferred for valuable consideration by any other person within or out of Brunei

Darussalam shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to 7 years with 10 strokes of whipping or to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or both.

1471

For the purposes of subsection (2), if any person harbours or has in his possession, custody or control of any child without any lawful authority or excuse, such child shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to be a child with respect to whom the temporary or permanent, possession, custody or control has been transferred or conferred for valuable consideration.

It shall be a defence in any prosecution under this section to prove that the transfer took place in contemplation of or pursuant to a bona fide marriage or adoption and that at least one of the natural parents of the child or the guardian of the child was a consenting party to the marriage or to the adoption by the adopting party, and has expressly consented to the particular marriage or adoption.

Importation of child by false pretences.