Section 16
Section 16
(1)
Where the Commissioner of Police is satisfied that there is reasonable ground for suspecting that an offence against this Act has been or is about to be committed and for believing that any person is able to furnish information as to the offence or suspected offence, he may apply to the
Minister for permission to exercise the powers conferred by this subsection and, if such permission is granted, he may personally, or by written authorisation granted to any police officer not below the rank of Inspector, require the person believed to be able to furnish information to give any information in his power relating to the offence or suspected offence and, if so required and on tender of his reasonable expenses, to attend at such reasonable time and place as may be specified by the Commissioner of
Police; and if a person required in pursuance of such an authorisation to give information or to so attend, fails to comply with any such requirement or knowingly gives false information, he is guilty of an offence against this Act.
(2)
Where the Commissioner of Police has reasonable grounds to believe that the case is one of great emergency and that in the interest of
Brunei Darussalam immediate action is necessary, he may exercise the powers conferred by subsection (1) without applying for or being granted the permission of the Minister, but if he does so he shall forthwith report the circumstances to the Minister.
(3)
References in this section to the Commissioner of Police shall be construed as including references to any other officer of police expressly
Official Secrets 17
authorised by him to act on his behalf for the purpose of this section when by reason of illness, absence or other cause he is unable to do so.
Trial of offences.