New regulation to control display of advertisements

Bandar Seri Begawan - The legal framework for the control of advertisement, prepared under the current Town and Country Planning (Development Control) Act 1972 will soon become a regulation to control and regulate all signs and advertisements.

Town and Country Planning Department Commissioner, Hong Kok Seng, said this yesterday in a briefing to advertising agencies. He highlighted the upcoming changes pertaining to the erection and display of signs and advertisements. It was held at the Ministry of Development.

The control of advertisement will cover the whole of Brunei except the Municipal Board areas in each respective district. An authority known as Advertisement Development Control Competent Authority (ACCA) shall be established to exercise its powers under these regulations.

Under Section 3 of the proposed new regulation, no person shall exhibit or cause to be exhibited any advertisement, electronic billboard, signboard or sky sign without prior written approval from the ACCA.

A fee shall be charged according to the type and size of sign and advertisement to be displayed. Any person who fails to comply or found to be in violation of these regulations shall be fined not exceeding $10,000.

The erection and display of signs and advertisements shall be in compliance with the planning standards as stated in the planning guidelines for the control of signs and advertisements, a publication by the Department of Town and Country Planning.

All advertising agencies are advised to submit applications according to the process and procedure laid down in the planning guidelines.

The department shall announce a date when the regulations will come into effect. The regulations are to control the development of advertisements and signs properly and effectively in accordance to the law.

The objective to control signs and advertisements is in the interest of amenities and public safety.

Among others under the development control regulations and procedures, it was highlighted that applications for written approval shall be made to the ACCA in a form approved by the competent authority and accompanied by a sketch, copy of title deed, consent letter from owner, drawing showing materials, dimensions of sign and so on.

It should also be accompanied by a site plan showing the nearest existing advertisement and existing building, a certified and endorsed copy of the proposed design and artworks from the Malay and Language Literature Bureau and the prescribed fee.

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