Borneo Bulletin articles from February 2001, page 2

Borneo Bulletin archives from February 2001

Brunei: All that glitters is gold.
February 25, 2001... The gold and jewellery businesses are still vibrant despite a consumer slowdown in other sectors of the Brunei economy. Although the Bruneian economy is displaying signs of a slowdown with only a 3.7 per cent growth in GDP, jewellery...

Brunei: A show of patriotism.
February 25, 2001... The much-awaited 17th National Day parade and field performances took place yesterday at the Taman Hj Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the Brunei capital. It was indeed a day of joy for at least 10,000 participants representing all parts...

Brunei: Chamber backs Deputy Chief.
February 25, 2001... Brunei's National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the umbrella body for local Malay and Chinese businesses, yesterday underscored its undivided support for the authorities' intensified move to ensure that the food and entertainment sectors...

Brunei: Message from Canadian Gov-General.
February 25, 2001... His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has received a congratulatory message from Governor-General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson, in conjunction with Brunei's 17th National Day. The Canadian Governor-General said,...

Brunei: 1st local roof tile maker.
February 25, 2001... Seri Jaya Sdn. Bhd, in the Serasa Industrial Estate in Muara is Brunei's first local roof tile manufacturer. It manufactures roof tiles and cement blocks that includes paver blocks, retaining wall blocks, hollow blocks and cement bricks...

Brunei: Post-celebration eyesore.
February 25, 2001... Some 10,000 participants of the 17th National Day parade and field performances in the Brunei capital yesterday received a big round of applause from spectators for making this year's celebration a success. However, it was sad to note that...

Brunei: Royal messages to Kuwait.
February 25, 2001... His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has sent congratulatory messages to Sheikh Jaber Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, and Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of...

Brunei: Heat-out.
February 25, 2001... A boy scout receiving treatment after he suffered a bleeding nose because of the heat yesterday at the 17th National Day parade in the Brunei capital. Medical staff gave him a cold pack of ice to treat the ailment.

Brunei: Cute and patriotic.
February 25, 2001... Fortunately the day wasn't too hot and the children clearly enjoyed seeing yesterday's 17th National Day parade's colours of yellow, black and white as well as the red Brunei crest on flags flapping in the wind. They waved and cheered as...

Brunei: Mixed reactions over tightening of laws.
February 22, 2001... The religious authorities recent move in enforcing the Islamic law has received mixed reactions from the populace in Brunei. Many have applauded the move while others have raised their concerns, observers said. Coffee shops, restaurants...

Brunei: VBY campaign gets rude shock.
February 22, 2001... The negative aspects of the Information Technology sometimes far outweigh the positives. Recently, the Bulletin was informed about the existence of a particular web site that can ruin and mislead the image of the Visit Brunei Year 2001...

Brunei: SME, new business support meeting held.
February 22, 2001... A two-day meeting on, Brunei - Japan Apec Cooperation Program on SME and New Business Support is currently being held at the International Convention Centre, Berakas. The meeting was co-organised by Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources...

Brunei: What it should have been.
February 22, 2001... In our story entitled "Gearing up for Islamic expo", Awang Jefrawi bin Dato Haji Kifli, the High Commissioner of Brunei to Pakistan should have read as, Awang Jefrawi bin Dato Haji Kifli, the Acting Commissioner of Brunei to Pakistan. The...

Brunei: Gag order rejected.
February 22, 2001... The court yesterday, rejected a lawyer's application for a gag order to be imposed. The lawyer claimed the gag order was necessary to protect his client's identity, an Assistant Superintendent of the Royal Brunei Police Force (ASP) who is...

Brunei: A fishy tale.
February 22, 2001... Two locals who allegedly hired two foreigners under a social visit pass as "fishmongers" and the alleged "fishmongers" themselves claimed trial to all the charges brought against them in court yesterday before Magistrate Ridzlan bin Hj...

Brunei: Discipline enhances leadership performance.
February 22, 2001... Acting Commandant of Penanjong Training Centre, Lt. Col. Pengiran Haji Ramli bin Pengiran Haji Bunut was the guest of honour at the closing ceremony of the performance and clerical B3 courses yesterday. He said knowledge gained should be...

Brunei: Canned food distributors urged to apply for permit.
February 22, 2001... The Halal Meat Importation Certification Committee reiterated the need for canned food distributors to apply for permit to avoid their products being detained at the Muara port. To apply for permit, the distributors must fully sponsor two...

Brunei: UBD's history corner launched.
February 22, 2001... Department of History, UBD and the Museum hope to establish more public interest towards the nation's history. The two institutions expressed this yesterday when the Museum handed over part of its ancient ceramics dating back to Ming and Song...

Brunei: Interest in UK's Cambridge Tutor College.
February 22, 2001... Students from Brunei have shown their interest to study abroad in the United Kingdom despite the expansion of local institutes. The Cambridge Tutors College confirmed that four students have applied to the college to study 'A' Level in the...

Brunei: Special briefing on Insurance matters.
February 22, 2001... A special briefing on Insurance Education and Training for agents (including staff) of Insurance companies and Insurance Loss Adjusters was conducted by the Malaysian Insurance Institute (MII) with the General Insurance Association of Brunei...

Sports: National billiards meet.
February 22, 2001... The National Billiards Sports Championship 2001 will be held from March 5-21 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Berakas in conjunction with the National Day celebrations. The tournament will feature snooker singles, 9-ball pool and...

Borneo: Locals, complacency the cause of leaks.
February 21, 2001... KOTA KINABALU - The information leaks in operations against illegal immigrants by the Special Task Force may be the work of some locals whom allegedly have their own agenda, or the complacent by the relevant authorities in Sabah's security....

Borneo: Wetlands a good source of income.
February 21, 2001... KOTA KINABALU - Sabah World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Chief Datuk Tengku Adlin said the government could consider tapping the educational and recreational tourism potential of the wetlands apart from the conservation and protection programme....

Borneo: Libraries to be upgraded.
February 21, 2001... KUCHING - The State government would upgrade all major libraries in phases to shift from a production-based economy into a knowledge-based economy, which would help in creating a knowledge-based society in Sarawak, said State Secretary, Abdul...

Borneo: Fined for mixing curry powder with lead.
February 21, 2001... LIMBANG - A food manufacturer charged with adulterating curry powder with lead was yesterday fined RM5,500 in default eight months imprisonment by the Magistrate Court here. Manager Chai Soon Hui, representing Hommaid Foods (M) Sdn Bhd of...

Brunei: Bimp-Eaga base to be rotated.
February 21, 2001... The decision to move the Bimp-Eabc (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Business Council) secretariat from Brunei to Kuching, Sarawak has been done as part of a system that allows every country in the group to host...

Brunei: National Day rehearsal in full swing.
February 21, 2001... As many as 10,000 participants from various government departments, uniformed personnel and students from many schools in the capital yesterday took part in a full dress rehearsal for the upcoming 17th National Day Parade at the Taman Sir...

Brunei: $2,000 assistance to tragedy-hit family.
February 21, 2001... The Yayasan (Foundation) Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah yesterday presented a donation worth $2,000 to a Tutong family that lost two of its members, including its main breadwinner, in a boating tragedy last weekend, RTB reported. The...

Brunei: National festivities spark boom.
February 21, 2001... For the past one week or so, business was reported to be brisk at most coffee shops and restaurants near the Taman Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan. This period usually marks the busiest time for the Brunei...

Brunei: Hotel raises awareness of turtle scheme.
February 21, 2001... Volunteers participating in Brunei's Turtle Management and Conservation Programme, launched last year, are calling for greater awareness of turtle conservation. According to a Turtle Volunteer, every year from November to July, turtles...

Brunei: Immigration chief promotes 112 officers.
February 21, 2001... A total of 112 immigration officers, including seven Senior Immigration Officers, yesterday afternoon received insignias marking their promotions. Present to officiate at the ceremony was Awang Sa Bali bin Abas, Director at the...

Brunei: KB mosque sends youths to catering course.
February 21, 2001... The Muhammad Jamalul Alam Mosque, Kuala Belait became the first mosque to send youths to undergo a catering course, RTB reported. Eight participants, aged 15 and above, are undergoing the nine-day basic food preparation course organised...

Brunei: National day rehearsals.
February 21, 2001... Few spectators, no cheering or waving, no sun, no cameras clicking save for one, and no flags for the flag day rehearsals, which were held at night around the Bandar area. For several nights now Government vehicles representatives form...

Brunei: Students flock to education fair.
February 21, 2001... Local students interested to further their studies United Kingdom flocked to the UK Education Exhibition at the International Convention Centre in Berakas. Students who have obtained their examination results are making their choices on...

Brunei: SOAS offers studies in Asia and Africa.
February 21, 2001... The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London is joining the February Education Fair for the first time. It s the only higher education institution in the UK specialising in the study of Asia and Africa, and is...

Brunei: Slogan contest winners get prizes.
February 21, 2001... Winners of the Credit Card Instalment Slogan Contest received their prizes yesterday from the bank's chief executive officer Simon Morris. The contest was held from November to December 2000. "Our Credit Card Instalment programme offers...

Brunei: Flash floods hit popular tourist spot.
February 21, 2001... A twenty-minute storm yesterday, managed to result in flash floods in several low-lying areas with poor drainage systems. The areas affected were located in the vicinity of commercial buildings in Mile One Jalan Tutong. Flash floods occur...

Brunei: 21-year-old woman imprisoned.
February 21, 2001... A 21-year-old Indonesian woman was fined $650 or one month's imprisonment in default after she was caught entering Brunei illegally. Amy binte Hamdan, was fined after she pleaded guilty yesterday of entering Brunei illegally from Limbang...

Brunei: Water taxi operator jailed on drug charges.
February 21, 2001... A water taxi operator who claimed trial on five drug charges in court was convicted yesterday and sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment. He was also hit with a total fine of $7,000 or 14 months imprisonment in default. Pg...

Brunei: All ready for the big day.
February 21, 2001... The 17th National Day celebrations are just four days away. Yesterday, the 10,000 participants who will be taking part in the National Day parade, participated in a full dress rehearsal at the Taman Hj Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the...

Sports: Brunei GP top seeds.
February 21, 2001... Danish pair Peter Gade Christensen and Camilla Martin are the top seeds in their respective categories at the Brunei World Grand Prix Finals in Bandar Seri Begawan from March 28 to April 1. The GP finals offer a prize fund of US$250,000...

Sports: All Filipino sports meets.
February 21, 2001... The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Sports Commission, Brunei Darussalam, a sports arm of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Labour and Employment in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy, will organised...

Sports: Holiday Lodge Darts Challenge.
February 21, 2001... In conjunction with Brunei's 17th National Day celebrations, the Holiday Lodge will be organising its first Open Darts 'Double Masters' Challenge Cup tournament. The tournament will be held from February 23 - 25 and will feature 40 of...

Borneo: Let the people decide.
February 20, 2001... KOTA KINABALU - Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and PAS said that the Barisan National should go back to the people for their verdict on the issue of the rotation system of the Sabah Chief Minister. Both opposition parties said this would...

Brunei: Timely boost for BruNet.
February 20, 2001... Brunei Darussalam's progress towards providing its population with a world class Internet and communications service received a timely boost yesterday when a contract-signing ceremony was held between Jabatan Telekom Brunei (JTB) and five...

Brunei: National flags for police vehicles.
February 20, 2001... Patriotic fervour is running high as Brunei is getting ready to celebrate its 17th National Day this Friday. Yesterday 50 Royal Brunei Police Force vehicles were attached with national flags in a ceremony held at the Police Headquarters in...

Brunei: Principal rejects favouritism claims.
February 20, 2001... Some of the parents' accusation that a public school in Brunei's capital has been allegedly practising favouritism has been rejected as a "misleading preconception" by the principal of the school. A letter alleging Chung Hwa Middle...

Brunei: HSBC's web site voted Asia's best.
February 20, 2001... The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited's (HSBC) web site has been chosen as the best Asian Corporate Web site, coming second after Hong Kong's Pacific Century CyberWorks (PCCW)-Hongkong Telekom, according to a HSBC press...

Brunei: Contributing significantly to the country's economy.
February 20, 2001... One reason to explain the big difference in today's unemployment rate with that several years ago is the rise in the 'unaccounted' sectors. 'Unaccounted' or officially known as the informal sectors include such unregistered activities...

Brunei: 3 rushed to hospital for suspected food poisoning.
February 20, 2001... Three members of a family were admitted to the RIPAS Hospital for suspected food poisoning after experiencing stomach pain, following the consumption of shellfish. A victim who wished to remain anonymous said that he suffered extreme...

Brunei: Gearing up for Islamic expo.
February 20, 2001... The State Mufti Department, in support of Visit Brunei Year 2001, is busy working hand-in-hand with other government agencies and representatives from private sector to gear up the country to host the first International Islamic Expo in the...

Brunei: Great Eastern unveils new corporate logo & website.
February 20, 2001... Great Eastern Life officially unveiled its new corporate identity "Great Eastern Logo" and LifeisGreat website yesterday at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong. The newly-designed website is located at www.Lifeisgreat.com.sg....

Brunei: Business group donates money to Indian quake victims.
February 20, 2001... "The Indian community here in Brunei, as I am sure, the whole population of this country was shocked and saddened by the great number of people who died in the massive earthquake in Gujarat some weeks ago. "It is a particularly sad...

Brunei: Launch of marine career roadshow.
February 20, 2001... Brunei Shell Tankers Sendirian Berhad (BST)/Shell International Manning Services (SIMS) yesterday organised a launching ceremony for "Marine Career Road Show" at the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College, Kampong Rimba in Gadong. ...

Brunei: Flags fly in the spirit of patriotism.
February 20, 2001... Brunei Darussalam will be celebrating its 17th National Day on February 23. Various preparations are being made for the occasion. It has always been a tradition to hoist the National flags in homes and buildings in conjunction with the...

Brunei: Apprenticeship training programme.
February 20, 2001... The Department of Technical Education (DTE) aims to develop a competitive, dynamic and quality workforce through technical education and training, consistent with national aspirations. In order to ensure that the training programmes...

Brunei: Road threatens to cave in.
February 20, 2001... A cavity along Jalan Kota Batu in Kg Sungai Matan has upset residents living in the area. The cavity that is approximately 7 feet deep and 6 feet wide and is in the vicinity of Simpang 688 of Kampong Sungai Matang. The cavity is growing...

Brunei: Prince opens education in UK exhibit.
February 20, 2001... Prince Abdul Qawi, Executive Deputy Chairman and Director of QAF Brunei yesterday opened the 5th Education UK Exhibition organised by the British Council together with Trade Partners UK and HSBC. "Quality education is pivotal to the...

Brunei: International Islamic Expo here in August.
February 20, 2001... Brunei Darussalam aims to be the South East Asian region's centre for Islamic knowledge references. In line with this, a seminar on Islamic references in the Malay world will be held in August this year to gather information and lists of...

Brunei: Meeting on religious festivities.
February 20, 2001... The Executive Committee for the National Islamic Celebrations and National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults for the Islamic year 1422 Hijrah was held yesterday at the Islamic Dakwah Centre in Kampung Pulaie, Berakas. The agenda...

Brunei: Benefits of studying in UK.
February 20, 2001... "You will receive a warm welcome in Britain. Our Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has introduced new measures to make it easier for foreign students to study in Britain. We have streamlined the entry visa process, and we have made it easier for...

Brunei: Bangladeshi fined for staying illegaly.
February 20, 2001... Two Bangladeshi were hit with a fine and imprisonment by the Bandar Seri Begawan's Supreme Court after the duo were caught remaining in Brunei illegally. Abdul Sattar Mohammad Lokman, 36, was sentenced to five months jail by Chief...

Brunei: Girlfriend jailed, boyfriend fined.
February 20, 2001... A Thai couple who were nabbed for breaching the Brunei Immigration laws faced justice in court yesterday, where the girlfriend was sent to 4 months in jail and the boyfriend was only hit with a fine. Chief Magistrate Hairolarni bin Abd...

Brunei: Expensive trip for Indonesian.
February 20, 2001... A 41-year-old Indonesian paid an expensive price for his food, after the court fined him $500 for entering Limbang without producing his passport. Mulyadi Saderah, aged 41, was fined $500 or four weeks jail, for not producing his...

Sports: Open mountain bike race.
February 20, 2001... The Brunei Darussalam Bicycle Federation will be organising a men's open mountain bike race on February 23 at the Bukit Shahbandar Recreation Park. The race will be divided into two categories - cross-country and downhill. The...

Brunei: Thai Belle bowled over by the beauty of Brunei.
February 19, 2001... The Visit Brunei Year 2001 had a very beautiful surprise earlier this year in conjunction with the launch of the Asean Tourism Forum: Miss Thailand 2000 Panada Wongphudee. And she isn't just another ordinary woman gifted with striking...

Brunei: A true unexpected treasure.
February 19, 2001... Currently, visitors are being enticed to Brunei to explore 'a kingdom of unexpected treasures'. When we talk of treasures, we are generally referring to things that are precious to us, sometimes difficult to find, often from the past and hold...

The beat of the Chingay.
February 19, 2001... SINGAPORE - Stunning! Exquisite! Fabulous!in fact, mere superlatives could not properly describe the colourful parade on show in Singapore last Saturday night (10 Feb 2001). Yes, it was the Chingay parade with a calvacade of uniformed...

Brunei: Y2Kids Rock Sabah.
February 19, 2001... The Y2Kids musical band had the opportunity to display their talent for the first time during the 1st Anniversary of the formation of Kota Kinabalu City. The boys, aged between 10 to 15 years, were under the guidance of their teacher,...

'Estrada not seeking a return'.
February 19, 2001... MANILA - Ousted Philippine president Joseph Estrada is not seeking a return to the Philippine presidency despite a suit pending before the Supreme Court questioning the legitimacy of his successor, Gloria Arroyo, reports quoting his lawyer...

Brunei: Middle-aged woman fined for illegal side income.
February 19, 2001... A 47-year-old Chinese woman, nabbed on a charge of assisting in running lottery activities as a side income, was produced in court yesterday and slapped with a fine of $2,500 or four months in jail. Lo Mui Hiong, pleading guilty, told the...

Brunei: Beware of bogus halal inspectors.
February 19, 2001... Shopowners beware! Bogus halal food inspectors are apparently creating havoc at several outlets in the Sultanate. For some unknown reasons, these individuals have been allegedly inspecting food sold at some shops in the capital. Claiming...

Brunei: Man denies employing immigration suspect.
February 19, 2001... A 25-year-old Indian, Thajudeen Syed Abdun Nasir, pleaded not guilty yesterday to employing another Indian, who is a holder of an employment pass not under the defendant's sponsorship, as a part-time shopkeeper. He claimed trial to the...

Brunei: 10 public gambling suspects plead not guilty.
February 19, 2001... Only one out of eleven alleged gamblers pleaded guilty in court yesterday to a charge of playing a game of "Katam-Katam" at a public place. A local, Chua Kang Soon had decided to plead guilty to playing Katam-Katam" behind Soon Huat...

Brunei: Tourism chief seeks public support for VBY.
February 19, 2001... The Director of Tourism, Sheikh Jamaluddin B. Sheikh Mohammed urged all parties to play an active role in making Visit Brunei Year a success in line with the titah made by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam...

Brunei: JIS students on educational trip to JPMC.
February 19, 2001... Reception classes from Jerudong International School were treated to 'hands on' education during their visit to Jerudong Park Medical Centre on Tuesday. The visit contributed to the children's understanding of keeping healthy and safe, as...

Brunei: International festival.
February 19, 2001... An International Students' Festival is currently taking place at the University of Brunei Darussalam. According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the festival seeks to stimulate Bruneians' appreciation of the world's cultural...

Brunei girls shine in English College.
February 19, 2001... Students from Brunei at Padworth College for girls are a prefect illustration of how to balance work and play successfully. It is early February and they are only a few weeks away from mock A Level examinations. They are all forecast to...

Brunei: Father, son missing in Tutong river tragedy.
February 19, 2001... A 49-year-old father and his 9-year-old son were reported missing in the waters of Ulu Tutong after a boating mishap on Friday, RTB reported. The incident took place at Sg Kuala Ungar only 200 metres from their home as the victim Awg...

Brunei: Gearing up for the big day.
February 19, 2001... Negara Brunei Darussalam will celebrate its 17th National Day on Friday, February 23, 2001. As Friday is a public holiday, the main parade and field performances will be held on Saturday, February 24, at the Taman Haji Sir Omar Ali...

Brunei: Rise of the technopreneur.
February 19, 2001... The age of Information Technology (IT) is no longer a speck in the future. It is here and making its presence felt in every country in the world. In order to create an "e-Brunei", the people will need to have the right mentality, relevant...

Brunei: Secretariat's move 'SHuTTs' door on hub plan.
February 19, 2001... Entrepreneurs and businessmen in Brunei have been dealt a severe blow with news that the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines - East Asean Growth Area) Secretariat has been moved to Kuching, Sarawak. The news was...

Brunei: Shopping habits in Brunei.
February 19, 2001... In the 70s and 80s, Bruneians had limited choice to do their shopping. Jalan Sultan in the Bandar area was the most popular shopping area at the time. Today, as the city develops and the living standard rises, people can shop at a number...

Brunei: Preparing for Aidil Adha.
February 19, 2001... Muslims intending to perform the annual religious sacrifice on Aidil Adha have been reassured that abattoirs in the country will meet the increasing demand for suitable meat. Muslims will hold large feasts of Qurban meat on Aidil Adha,...