Laws
Penal Code
Chapter XXI
s 500

In force2021 Revised EditionCurrent version · 2021 Revised EditionSee versions on Attorney General's Chambers(opens the publisher’s site)

Contents

Penal Code

Find in this Act

IIntroduction

1Citation
2Punishment of offences committed within Brunei Darussalam
3Punishment of offences committed beyond, but which by law, may be tried within Brunei Darussalam
4(No section).
5Certain laws not to be affected by this Code
5AApplication

Chapter II

6Definitions in Code to be understood subject to exceptions
7Sense of expression once explained
8Gender
9Number
10The word "man" denotes a male human being of any age; the word
11The word "person" includes any company or association, or body of pemns, whether inccqmmted or not. "Public"
12The word "public" includes any class of the public or any community.
13
16(No sections). "Government"
17The word "Government" denotes the person or persons authorised by law to administer executive Government in any part of Brunei
18(No section). "Judge"
19The word "Judge" denotes not only every person who is officially designated as a Judge, but also every person -
20The words "Court of Justice" denote a Judge who is empowered by law to act judicially alone, or a body of Judges which is empowered by law...
21The words "public servant" denote a person falling under any of the following descriptions -
22The words "movable property" are intended to include corporeal property of every description, except land and things attached to the earth...
23
24Whoever does anything with the intention of causing wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another person, is said to do that thing
25A person is said to do a thing "fraudulently" if he does that thing with intent to defraud, but not otherwise. "Reason to believe"
26A person is said to have "reason to believe" a thing if he has sufficient cause to believe that thing but not otherwise. "Property in posse...
27When property is in the possession of a person's wife, clerk or servant on account of that person, it is in that person's possession within...
28A person is said to "counterfeit", who causes one thing to resemble another thing, intending by means of that resemblance to practise decep...
29The word "document" denotes any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, f i b or marks, or b y m ~ ~ e than o...
30The words "valuable security" denote a document which is, or purports to be, a document whereby any legal right is created, extended, trans...
31The words "a will" denote any testamentary document. Words referring to acts include illegal omissions 32. In every part of this Code, exce...
33
39A person is said to cause an effect "voluntarily" when he causes it by means whereby he intended to cause it or by means which, at the time...
40
41A "special law" is a law applicable to a particular subject. "Local law"
42A "local law" is a law applicable only to a particular part of Brunei Darussalam. "Illegal"
43The word "illegal" is applicable to everything which is an offence, or which is prohibited by law, or which furnishes ground for a civil ac...
44The word "injury" denotes any harm whatever illegally caused to any person, in body. mind, reputation or property. "Life"
45The word "life" denotes the life of a human being, unless the contrary appears from the context. "Death"
46The word "death" denotes the death of a human being, unless the contrary appears from the context. "Animal"
47The word "animal" denotes any living creature other than a human being. "Vessel"
48The word "vessel" denotes anything made for the conveyance by water of human beings or of property. "Year, month"
49Wherever the word "year" or the word "month" is used, it is to be understood that the year or the month is to be reckoned according to the...
50The word "section" denotes one of those portions of a Chapter of this Code which are distinguished by prefixed numeral figures. "Oath"
51The word "oath" includes a solemn affirmation substituted by law for an oath, and any declaration required or authorised by law to be made...
52Nothing is said to be done or believed in "good faith" which is done or believed without due care and attention.

Chapter III

54(No section). Commutation of sentence of imprisonment 55. In every case in which sentence of death, or of imprisonment for any period of no...
56
62(No sections). Penal Code…
64
70(No sections). Limit of punishment of offence made up of several offences 71. Where anything which is an offence is made up of parts, any o...
73
74(No sections). 46 Penal Code
75Punishment of persons convicted after previous conviction, of offence punishable with 3 years imprisonment

IVGeneral Exceptions

76Act done by person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law
77Act of Judge when acting judicially
78Act done pursuant to judgment or order of Court
29Nothing is an nffence which is done* any person &k+utified by law, or who, by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of...
81Nothing is an offence merely by reason of its being done with the knowledge that it is likely to cause harm, if it is done without any crim...
82Act of child under 7
83Act of child above 7 and under 12 of immature understanding
84Act of person of unsound mind
85Intoxication when defence
86Effect of defence of intoxication when established
87Act not intended, and not known to be likely, to cause death or grievous hurt, done by consent
88Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for a person's benefit
89Act done in good faith for benefit of child or insane person, by or by consent of guardian
91Exclusion of acts which are offences independently of harm caused
92Act done in good faith for benefit of person without consent
93Communication made in good faith
94Act to which person is compelled by threats
95Act causing slight harm
96Things done in private defence
97Right of private defence of body and of property
98Right of private defence against act of person of unsound mind etc.
99Acts against which there is no right of private defence and extent to which right may be exercised
100When right of private defence of body extends to causing death
101When right of private defence extends to causing any harm other than death
102Commencement and continuance of right of private defence of body
103When right of private defence of body extends to causing death
105Commencement and continuance of right of private defence of property
106Right of private defence against deadly assault when there is risk of harm to innocent person

VAbetment

107Abetment of thing
108Abettor
108AAbetment in Brunei Darussalam of offences outside it
109Punishment of abetment if act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment
110Punishment of abetment if person abetted does act with different intention from that of abettor
111Liability of abettor when one act abetted and different act done
112Abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done
113Liability of abettor for effect caused by act abetted different from that intended by abettors
114Abettor present when offence is committed
115Abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for 15 years
116Abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment if offence is not committed
117Abetting commission of offence by public or by more than ten persons
118Concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment
119Public servant concealing design to commit offence which it is his duty to prevent
120Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment
120ADefinition of criminal conspiracy
120BPunishment of criminal conspiracy

Chapter VI

121Whoever wages war against His Majesty the Sultan and Yang
121AConspiracy to commit offences punishable by section 121
122Collecting arms etc. with intention of waging war against His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan
123Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war
124Penal Code
124A(No sections).
125
130(No sections).

VIIOffences Relating to Army, Navy, Air Force and Police

131Abetment of mutiny to induce soldier etc. from his duty
132Abetment of mutiny, if mutiny is committed in consequence thereof
133Abetment of assault by soldiers etc. on his superior officer in execution of his office
134Abetment of assault if assault is committed
135Abetment of desertion
136Harbouring deserter
137Deserter concealed on board merchant vessel through negligence of master
138Abetment of act of insubordination by soldier etc.
139(No section). Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier etc.
140Whoever -

VIIIOffences Against Public Tranquillity

141Unlawful assembly
142Member of unlawful assembly
143Punishment
144Joining unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapon
145Joining or continuing in unlawful assembly, knowing it has been commanded to disperse
146Rioting
147Punishment for rioting
148Rioting, armed with deadly weapon
149Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object
150Hiring, or conniving at hiring, of persons to join unlawful assembly
151Knowingly joining or continuing in five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse
152Whoever -
153Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot
153APromoting enmity between classes
154Owner or occupier of land on which unlawful assembly is held
155Liability of persons for whose benefit riot is committed
156Liability of agent of owner or occupier for whose benefit riot is committed
157Harbouring persons hired for unlawful assembly
158(1) Whoever is engaged or hired, or offers or attempts to be engaged or hired, to do or assist in doing any of the acts specified in sectio...
159Affray
160Punishment for committing affray

Chapter IX

161Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of official act
162Taking gratification, by corrupt or illegal means, to influence public servant
163Taking gratification by personal influence with public servant
164Punishment for abetment by public servant of offences defined in section 162 or 163
165Public servant obtaining valuable thing, without consideration, from person concerned in proceeding or business transacted by public servant
166Public servant disobeying law with intent to cause injury to person
167Public servant framing incorrect document with intent to cause injury
168Public servant unlawfully engaging in trade
169Public servant unlawfully buying or bidding for property
170Personating public servant
171Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent

XContempts of Lawful Authority of Public Servants

172Absconding to avoid service of summons, notice or order proceedings
173Preventing service of summons or other proceedings or preventing publication thereof
174Non-attendance in obedience to order from public servant
175Omission to produce document to public servant by person legally bound to produce it
176Whoever, being legally bound to give any notice or to furnish information on any subject to any public servant, as such intentionally omits...
177Furnishing false information
178Refusing oath when duly required to take oath by publie servant
179Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question
180Refusing to sign statement
181False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to administer on oath or affirmation
182False information with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to injury of another person
183Resistance to taking of property by lawful authority of public servant
184Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant
185Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of public servant
186Obstructing public sewant in discharge of public functions
187Omission to assist public sewant when bound by law to give assistance
188Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public sewant

189Threat of injury to public servant
190Threat of injury to induce person to refrain from applying for protection to public servant

XIFalse Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice

191Giving false evidence
192Fabricating false evidence
193Punishment for false evidence
194Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence
195Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence punishable with imprisonment
196Using evidence known to be false
197Issuing or signing false certificate
198Using as true, certificate known to be false
199False statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence
200Using as true such declaration, knowing it to be false
201Causing disappearance of evidence of offence or giving false information to screen offender
202Intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform
203Giving false information respecting an offence committed
204Destruction of document to prevent its production as evidence
205False personation for purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution
206Fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution a Whoever fraudulently removes, conceals...
207Fraudulent claim to property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution
208Fraudulently suffering decree for sum not due
209Dishonestly making false claim in Court
211False charge of offence made with intent to injure
212Harbouring offender
213Taking gift etc. to screen offender from punishment
214Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender
215Whoever takes or agrees or consents to take any gratification -
216Harbouring offender who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has been ordered
216APenalty for harbouring robbers or gang-robbers
216BHarbouring suspected bad characters
216CIn sections 2 12,216,2 16A and 2 16B, "harbour" includes supplying a person with shelter, food, drink, money, clothes, arms, ammunition or...
217Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture
218Public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture
219contrary to law
220Commitment for trial or confinement by person having authority who knows that he is acting contrary to law
221Intentional omission to apprehend on part of public servant bound to apprehend a
222Intentional omission to apprehend on part of public servant bound to apprehend person under sentence or lawfully committed
223Escape from confinement or custody negligently suffered by public servant
224Resistance etc. to lawful apprehension; escape from custody
225Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person
226Whoever, having been lawfully deported or otherwise lawfully sent out of Brunei Darussalam, returns to Brunei Darussalam, the term for whic...
227Violation of condition of remission of punishment
228Intentional insult or interruption to public servant sitting in stage of judicial proceeding
228AContempt of Court
229Personation of juror or assessor
229AOffences for which no special punishment is provided

Offences Relating to Coin and Government Stamps

230"Coin" defined
231(Nosection).
232Counterfeiting coin
233
234Whoever-
235Possession of instrument or material for purpose of counterfeiting coin
236Darussalam
237(No section).
238Import or export of counterfeit coin
239(No section). 108…
240Delivery of coin possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit
241Delivery of coin as genuine, which, when first possessed, the deliverer did not know to be counterfeit
242(No section).
243Possession of coin by person who knew it to be counterfeit when he became possessed thereof
244
246(No sections).
247Fraudulently or dishonestly diminishing weight or altering composition of coin
248(No section).
249Altering appearance of coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of dillerent description
250(No section)
251Delivery of coin possessed with knowledge that it is altered
253possessed thereof
254Delivery of coin as genuine, which when first possessed, deliverer did not know to be altered
255Counterfeiting Government stamp
256Government stamp
257Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting Government stamp
258Sale of counterfeit Government stamp a
259Having possession of counterfeit Government stamp
260Using as genuine Government stamp known to be counterfeit
261Government
262Using Government stamp known to have been before used
263Erasure of mark denoting that stamp has been used
263AProhibition of fictitious stamps
263BSelling articles bearing designs resembling currency

Offences Relating to Weights and Measures

264Fraudulent use of false instrument for weighing
265Fraudulent use of false weight or measure
266Being in possession of false weights or measures
267Making or selling false weights or measures

XIVOffences Affecting Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals

268Public nuisance
269Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
270Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
271Whoever knowingly disobeys any rule made and promulgated by the Government for -
272Adulteration of food or drink for sale
273Sale of noxious food or drink
274Adulteration of drugs
275Sale of adulterated drugs
276Sale of drug as different drug or preparation
276AUse of forceps, except by medical practitioner, prohibited
277Fouling water of public spring or reservoir
277AOffences caused by fire
278Making atmosphere noxious to health
279Rash driving rnriding on pnbkway
280Rash navigation of vessel
281Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy
282Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel
283Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation
284Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance
285Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter
286Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance
287Negligent conduct with respect to machinery
288Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing building
289Negligent conduct with respect to animal
290Public nuisance
291Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue
292Sale etc. of obscene articles
293Sale etc. of obscene articles to person under 20
293APossession of indecent photograph of child
293BTaking, distribution, showing, advertisement and access of indecent photograph of child
293C
293DDefence
294Obscene acts and songs
294AProstitution
294BPaying for sexual services

XVOffences Relating to Religion

295Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class
296Disturbing religious assembly
297Trespassing on burial places etc.
297Ae r e n c e with gramr human remains
298Uttering words etc. with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings

Chapter XVI

299Culpable homicide
300Murder
301Culpable homicide by causing death of person other than person whose death was intended
302Punishment for murder
303Persons suffering from diminished responsibility
304Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder
305Abetment of suicide of child or insane person
306Abetment of suicide
307Attempt to murder; other offences by convict
308Attempt to commit culpable homicide
308AInfanticide
309Attempt to commit sni&e
310
311(No sections). Causing of miscarriage, injuries to unborn children. exposure of infants and concealment of birth
312Causing miscarriage
313Causing miscarriage without woman's consent
314Death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriage
315Act done with intent to prevent child being born alive or to cause it to die after birth
316Causing death of quick unborn child by act amounting to culpable homicide
317Exposure and abandonment of child under 12 by parent or person having care of it
318Concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body
319Hurt
320Grievous hurt
321Voluntarily causing hurt
322Voluntarily causing grievous hurt
323Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt
324Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means
325Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt
326Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means
327Voluntarily causing hurt to extort property or constrain to illegal act
328Causing hurt by means of poison etc. with intent to commit offence
329Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort property or constrain to illegal act
330tWnntarity causing hurt to extort confessionor compel rmoration of property
331Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort confession or to compel restoration of property
332Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty
333Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty
334Voluntarily causing hurt on provocation
335Voluntarily causing grievous hurt on provocation
336Act endangering life or personal safety of others
337Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others
338Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others
339Wrongful restraint
340Wrongful confinement
341Punishment for wrongful restraint
342Punishment for wrongful confinement
343Wrongful confinement for 3 or more days
344Wrongful confinement for 10 or more days
345Wrongful confinement of person for whose liberation writ has been issued
346W r o n w e n t in secret
347Wrongful confinement to extort property or constraint to illegal act
348Wrongful confinement to extort confession or compel restoration of property
349Force
350Criminal force
351Assault
352Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than in grave provocation
353Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty
354Assault or criminal force to person with intent to outrage modesty
354AAggravated outraging modesty
354BOutraging modesty by person in position of trust or authority
355Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation
356Assault or criminal force in attempt to commit theft of property carried by person
357Assault or criminal force in attempt wrongfully to confine person
358Assault or criminal force on grave provocation
359Kidnapping
360Kidnapping from Brunei Darussalam
361Kidnapping frum iawfni guardianship
362Abduction
363Punishment for kidnapping
364Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder
365Kidnapping or abducting with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine person
366Whoever kidnaps or abducts any woman -
366AProcreation of minor girl
366BImportation of girl from foreign country
368Wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement kidnapped or abducted person
369Kidnapping or abducting child under 10 with intent to steal from its person
370Buying or disposing of any person as slave
371Habitual dealing in slaves
372Whoever sells, lets to hire or otherwise disposes of any person under the age of 18 years -
373Buying minor for purposes of prostitution
373AWhoever -
374Unlawful compulsory labour
375Rape
376
377
377AIncest
377BEngaging in sexual activity in presence of person under 16
377CCausing person under 16 to watch sexual act
377DCommercial sex with person under 18
377FTour outside Brunei Darussalam for commercial sex with person under 18
377HVoyeurism
377KMistake as to age

Chapter XVII

378Theft
379Punishment for theft
380Theft in dwelling house etc.
380ATheft in protected place or place of worship
381Theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master
383Extortion
384Punishment for extortion
385Putting person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion
386Extortion by putting person in fear of death or grievous hurt
387Putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt in order to commit extortion
388Extortion by threat of accusation of offence punishable with death or imprisonment etc.
389Putting person in fear of accusation of offence in order to commit extortion
390Robbery
391Gang-robbery
392Punishment for robbery
393Attempt to commit robbery
394Voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery
395Punishment for gang-robbery
396Gang-robbery, with murder
397Robbery or gang-robbery, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt
398Robbery or gang-robbery, when armed with deadly weapon
399Making preparation to commit gang-robbery
400Punishment for belonging to gang of robbers
401Punishment for belonging to gang of thieves
402Assembling for purpose of committing gang-robbery
403Dishonest misappropriation of property
404Dishonest misappropriation of property possessed by deceased person at time of his death
405Criminal breach of trust
406Punishment for criminal breach of trust
407Whoever, being entrusted with property as a carrier, wharfinger or warehouse-keeper, commits criminal breach of trust in respect of such pr...
408Criminal breach of trust by clerk or servant
409Criminal breach of trust by public servant, banker, merchant or agent
409AIt is no defence for any offence prescribed in sections 405,406,407. 408 and 409 to show that the property was openly appropriated or that...
409B
410Stolen property
411Dishonestly receiving stolen property
412Dishonestly receiving property stolen in commission of gang-robbery
413Habitually dealing in stolen property
414Assisting concealment of stolen property
415Cheating
416Cheating by personation
417Punishment for cheating
418Cheating with knowledge that wrongful loss may ensue to person whose interest offender is bound to protect
419Punishment for cheating by personation
420Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property
421Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent distribution among creditors
422Dishonest or fraudulently preventing debt being available for creditors
423Dishonest or fraudulent execution of deed of transfer containing false statement of consideration
424Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property
425Mischief
426Punishment for mischief
427Mischief causing damage to amount of $500
427AMischief in protected place or place of worship
428Mischief by killing or maiming animal
429(No section).
430Mischief by injury to works of irrigation or by wrongfully diverting water
431Mischief by injury to public road, bridge, river or channel
432Mischief by causing inundation or obstruction to public drainage attended with damage
433Mischief by destroying, moving or rendering less useful lighthouse or seamark
435Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage
436Whoever commits mischief by fire or any explosive substance, intending to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, the...
437Mischief with intent to destroy or make unsafe decked vessel or one of 20 tons burden
438Punishment for mischief described in section 437 committed by fire or explosive substances
439Whoever intentionally runs any vessel aground or ashore -
440Mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt
441Criminal trespass
442Whoever commits criminal trespass by entering into or remaining in -
443Lurking house-trespass
444Lurking house-trespass by night
445A person is said to commit "house-breaking" who commits house-trespass, if he effects his entrance into the house or any part of it in any...
446House-breaking by night
447Punishment for criminal trespass
448Punishment for house-trespass
448APunishment for house-trespass in protected place or place of worship
449House-trespass in order to commit offence punishable with death
450House-trespass in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment for 15 years
451House-trespass in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment
452House-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint
453Whoever commits lurking house-trespass or house-breaking shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years and w-hipping...
453A(1) Whoever commits lurking house-trespass or house-breaking in a protected place or a place of worship shall be punished with imprisonment...
454Whoever commits lurking house-trespass or house-breaking in order to the committing any offence punishable with imprisonment shall be punis...
455Whoever commits lurking house-trespass, or house-breaking having made preparation for -
456Punishment for lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night
457Lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment
458Lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint
459Grievous hurt ~ a n s e d whitst committing trrrking house-Trespass or house-breaking
460All persons jointly concerned in lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night punishable where death or grievous hurt caused by one of them
461Dishonestly, breaking open receptacle containing property
462Punishment for same offence when committed by person entrusted with custody

XVIIIOffences Relating to Documents, False Documents and Currency Notes and Bank Notes

463Forgery
464Making false document
465Punishment for forgery
466Whoever forges a document, purporting to be -
467Whoever forges a document which -
468Forgery for purpose of cheating
469Forgery for purpose of harming reputation
470Forged document
471Using as genuine forged document
472Making or possessing counterfeit seal etc. with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 467
475Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material
476Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents other than those described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material
477Fraudulent cancellation, destruction etc. of will, authority to adopt or valuable security
477AFalsification of accounts
478
489(No sections). Currency notes and bank notes Counterfeiting currency notes or bank notes 489A. Whoever counterfeits, or knowingly performs...

XIXCriminal Breach of Contracts of Service

490
492(No sections).

XXOffences Relating to Marriage

493Cohabitation caused by man deceitfully inducing belief of lawful marriage
494Marrying again during life-time of husband or wife
495Same offence with concealment of former marriage from person with whom subsequent marriage is contracted
496Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage
497(No section). 206 Penal Code
498Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent married woman

XXIDefamation

499Defamation
500Punishment for defamation
501Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory
502Sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter

XXIICriminal Intimidation, Insult and Annoyance

503Criminal intimidation
504Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace
505Statements conducting to public mischief
506Punishment for criminal intimidation
507Criminal intimidation by anonymous communication
508Act caused by inducing person to believe that he will be rendered object of divine displeasure
509Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of woman
510Misconduct in public by drunken person

XXIIIAttempts to Commit Offences

511Punishment for attempting to commit offences

Penal Code · 2021 Revised Edition · Chapter XXI · Defamation

500. Punishment for defamation

No plain-English summary for s 500 yet. See the rest of this law

Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged

Whoever defames another shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years and fine.

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Chapter XXII

Criminal Intimidation, Insult and Annoyance

Read on from Chapter XXII

Chapter XXIII

Attempts to Commit Offences

Read on from Chapter XXIII

Details

Penal Code · s 500

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Where this comes from

Attorney General's Chambers · Penal Code, 2021 Revised Edition. Reader record updated on 2 Oct 2026.

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