LAWS OF BRUNEI Official Secrets CAP. 153 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. 17. (1) For the purposes of the trial of a person for an offence against this Act, the offence shall be deemed to have been committed either at the place in which the same actually was committed or at any place in Brunei Darussalam in which the offender may be found. (2) In addition and without prejudice to any powers which a court may possess to order the exclusion of the public from any proceedings, if, in the course of proceedings before the court against any person for an offence against this Act or the proceedings on appeal, or in the course of the trial of a person for an offence against this Act, application is made by the prosecution that all or any portion of the public shall be excluded during any part of the hearing on the ground that the publication of any evidence to be given or of any statement to be made in the course of the proceedings would be prejudicial to the safety of Brunei Darussalam, the court may make an order to that effect, but the passing of sentence shall in any case take place in public. (3) Where the person guilty of an offence against this Act is a company or corporation, or a member or servant of a partnership or firm, acting in the course of the business of the partnership or firm, every director and officer of the company or corporation or every member of the partnership or firm (as the case may be) is guilty of the like offence unless he proves that the act or omission constituting the offence took place without his knowledge or consent. Punishment. 18. (1) A person who is guilty of an offence against this Act by reason of section 3 shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and a fine not exceeding $10,000. (2) A person who is guilty of an offence against this Act by reason of sections 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 16 shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the Criminal Procedure Code (Chapter 7), be liable on conviction before the Court of a Magistrate to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years and a fine not exceeding $10,000. B.L.R.O. 3/2010