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Through the Bruneian lens : Transnational crime during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Abstract:
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei Darussalam led to the immediate closure of the country's borders and countermeasures to curb the spread of the virus came in full effect.
This thesis aims to investigate the incidence and map variations in levels of transnational criminal activity during the pandemic lockdown in Brunei Darussalam (from March 2020 to July 2022); particularly drug trafficking, smuggling of alcohol and cigarettes and smuggling of dubious food. Based on collected data, it further evaluates the efficacy of adaptive tactics and strategies adopted by both criminal actors and enforcement agencies. A mixed-method approach of both quantitative and qualitative analysis was employed for a thematic analysis of its research problem and in response to its primary research question. The study also consulted Pelita Brunei and Brunei News Gazette news articles to construct coherent crime statistics and a baseline activity map for the period under investigation which was cross-references with data from a purposively sampled series of semi-structured interviews with key respondents of selected ministries and enforcement agencies, to obtain an in-depth understanding of transnational crime in the country during the pandemic. The thesis argues that the circumstances of lockdown precipitated adaptive behaviour and changed patterns of criminal activity within and across Brunei's borders. This was combated by various countermeasures from enforcement agencies.
Findings showed that there was indeed an increased level of illicit cross-border activities due to the closure of official borders and depleting supplies of contraband items. It prompted criminal actors to adapt and find alternative routes, while the countermeasures of social distancing and night curfews assisted the enforcement agencies in executing their prevention and seizure strategies more efficiently. The findings provide an original contribution to an under-researched topic relative to Brunei and insight into the specificity of transnational criminal activity and responses to it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Description:
ix, 228 pages : illustrations ; 30 cm | Master in Asian Studies by Research | Thesis is also available in USB flash drive and is not for loan or reference use | Thesis (Master in Asian Studies) - Universiti Brunei Darussalam, 2025 | Includes bibliographical references pages 132-163.
Date:
2025
Authors:
Adi Ailin binti Mohd Addly
Publisher:
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
