On January 1, 1982, the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam had enforced the Emergency (Prevention of Corruption) Act, which was subsequently in 1984 known as the Prevention of Corruption Act (Chapter 131). For the purpose of enforcing the said enactment, a specialized body was established called the
Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)
on February 1, 1982. The ACB is tasked to uphold integrity of the public service and to hold accountable persons strayed in corruption to justice.
The Prevention of Corruption Act defines corruption offences and their punishments and the powers of enforcement against it. The power of enforcement under the Act is well provisioned for strategy implementation of corruption control in the country.
Although the primary function is to investigate corruption offences, officers of the Bureau are also empowered to investigate other criminal offences disclosed in the course of investigation of corruption offence.
Under the Act, the ACB has a legal provision to overlook into government procedures to prevent corruption and educate the public on the danger of corruption and foster public support in combating corruption.
When first established on 1 February 1982, its office was temporarily located at the Diplomatic Services Office, Bandar Seri Begawan. From then on, it later moved to its own office at Block F5, Berakas, Old Airport Road on 25 February 1982. On 22 Jun 1987, however, ACB moved to the 3rd Floor of RBA Plaza, at Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan. With the ever increasing workforce and activities, it has moved and now occupies its present location at Berakas Old Airport Road area, ever since the 13th March 1992.
ACB opened its Kuala Belait office on the 1 August 1987, located at No 88 Jalan Bendahara and later moved to its present premises at Simpang 3, Jalan Sungai Pandan, on the 23 December 1991.