Section 27B
Powers of Courts and His Majesty
(1)
Whenever any party or any Syariah Court in any proceedings or any part thereof —
(a)
makes a reference, whether orally or in writing, directly or indirectly, to any act, decision, grant, revocation or suspension, or refusal or omission to do so, or to any exercise of or refusal or omission to exercise any power, authority or discretion by
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan; or
(b)
intends to refer to any issue or matter that may, directly or indirectly, pertain to or concern the inviolability, sanctity or interests of the position, dignity, standing, honour, eminence or sovereignty of
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan, that Syariah Court shall hold such proceedings or such part thereof in camera:
Provided that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan may issue a direction in writing to that Syariah Court that such proceedings or such part thereof shall not be heard in camera.
Syariah Courts
B.L.R.O. 4/2022 23
(2)
Without prejudice to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan’s power in subsection (1), His Majesty the Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan may issue a direction in writing to that Syariah Court to hold the hearing of any proceedings or any part thereof in camera.
(3)
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan may issue a direction in writing to that Syariah Court to hold the hearing of any proceedings or any part thereof at such time and venue as His Majesty the
Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan may determine.
(4)
Any direction issued by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan under subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall not be called in question in or be subject to any judicial review by or appeal to any Court.
(5)
No person shall publish or reproduce in Brunei Darussalam or elsewhere any or any part of proceedings, including but not limited to any evidence, exhibit, judgment or document produced in any proceedings, that may have the effect of lowering or adversely affecting, directly or indirectly, the position, dignity, standing, honour, eminence or sovereignty of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan; and any person who acts in contravention of this subsection is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.