Borneo Bulletin articles from February 2002

Borneo Bulletin archives from February 2002

Brunei: Stability in oil prices to boost Brunei economy.
February 28, 2002... Byline: Malai Hassan Othman Brunei Darussalam's economy is projected to pick up a little in the first quarter of this year as oil prices are expected to grow and stabilise around 5 per cent after it fell since mid September last year. ...

Brunei: Smooth sailing with Sabre.
February 28, 2002... Byline: Jacky Lim The Royal Brunei Airlines will officially switch to the new Sabre Passenger Reservation System and Sabre ACSI International Airport Check-In System by mid April this year. The new system, which will replace the...

Brunei: Opening ceremony for International Sale.
February 28, 2002... Byline: Reyna Forty-five companies took part in the International Sale, which was held in conjunction with the 18th National Day of Brunei Darussalam. The sale is currently being held at the Brunei Commercial and Business Centre in the...

Brunei: Build-up to Mega Sale in Miri; Brunei going West.
February 28, 2002... Byline: Achong Tanjong Malaysia is widely regarded today as a shopper's paradise, known for a colourful range of items found in the number of shopping malls and centres which have mushroomed in almost all parts of the country. In an...

Brunei: David Shead back - with Padley on piano.
February 28, 2002... Top trumpeters David Shead visited Brunei last year with the London Festival Orchestra and is now returning to do two concerts with his accompanist John Padley on the piano. The Brunei and Panaga Music Societies' next concert comes hot...

Brunei: Oz representatives tour Brunei.
February 28, 2002... Eleven representatives of travel agencies from Brisbane, Australia who were on a familiarisation trip to Brunei were treated to a BBQ dinner Tuesday. The trip was organised by Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA). Also present at the dinner was the...

Brunei: Royal audience to new Singapore, British envoys to Brunei.
February 28, 2002... His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Pg Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah yesterday consented to receive in audience Mr Hirubalan V.P., the new High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore to Brunei Darussalam. It took place at the Istana Nurul...

Brunei: Kristal organises family fair.
February 28, 2002... Byline: Reyna A two-day family carnival organised by Kristal Astro will be held at the Setia Kenangan Shopping Mall, Kg Kiulap, beginning March 2. "A WEEKEND OF FAMILY FUN AND GAMES", is the theme for the carnival. The main objective...

Brunei: What it should have been.
February 28, 2002... The headline of a news item on page 6 about Brunei having its own international sale in conjunction with the 18th National Day celebration should have correctly read as "Brunei international sale at IEC". The error is regretted.

Brunei: RBA signs contract with Sabre.
February 28, 2002... Byline: Jacky Lim National carrier Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) yesterday signed an agreement with Texas-based Sabre, the leading provider of technology, distribution and marketing services for the travel industry. The agreement was...

Brunei: Bruneian gets back car stolen in Miri.
February 27, 2002... Byline: Tshiu Fan Bruneian Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mohamad of Kampung Panchor, Papan, Tutong District was all smiles when he drove back the car which was stolen in Miri more than a year ago. His car, a Mitsubishi Lancer valued at...

Brunei: Oz travel agents on familiarisation tour here.
February 27, 2002... Byline: Abd Khalik Saifulrijal Eleven travel agents from Brisbane, Australia arrived in Brunei yesterday for a three-day visit. Australian travel agents are welcomed at the Brunei international airport. Brunei as a tourist...

Brunei: New Deputy Police Commissioner.
February 27, 2002... Byline: Reyna With the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam the appointment of Pg Ahmad Pg Hj Damit as the Deputy Police Commissioner has been confirmed with effect from February 15, 2002.

Brunei: S'pore army man dies in Brunei exercise.
February 27, 2002... Byline: Suriani Garip A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) officer cadet died Monday after he collapsed during a military exercise in Brunei on Sunday. Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital in the capital confirmed that Tan Kim...

Brunei: Brunei welcomes help to upgrade flight safety.
February 27, 2002... Brunei's Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Zakaria, said the country welcomes efforts of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to intensify flight safety, particularly after the September 11 attacks in the...

Brunei: First Haj pilgrims arrive home today.
February 27, 2002... The first flight bringing back Brunei pilgrims who performed the Haj in Mecca using private sector packages is scheduled to arrive in Brunei today at 7am, RTB said. The Haj pilgrims arriving today are those using the Haj package offered...

Brunei: State Mufti, RBA sign MoU for book.
February 27, 2002... Byline: Azrol Azmi A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the State Mufti's Office and the national carrier for Brunei, Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) yesterday. The MoU ceremony was held in conjunction with the Hari...

Brunei: Manila govt panel to visit Brunei.
February 26, 2002... Byline: Rosli Abidin Yahya A seven-man Philippine government panel, led by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita, will visit five member-countries of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), including Brunei...

Brunei: Expats, tourists join celebration.
February 26, 2002... Byline: Reyna The grand performances by school children, uniformed personnel and staff from various government departments for the 18th National Day caught the attention of not only the locals and expats living in the country but also a...

Brunei: Centre of attraction.
February 26, 2002... Byline: Suriani Garip & Reyna His Majesty the Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday graced the 18th National Day mass celebration at Taman Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the capital. The Taman was decorated with...

Brunei: Sultanate needs juvenile prison.
February 26, 2002... Byline: Ignatius Stephen The shocking truth has become evident that young offenders in Brunei have been serving prison terms together with hardened criminals in Jerudong. That is because there is no separate juvenile prison in the...

Brunei: Inchcape Motors FY warns of lower operating profit in 2002.
February 26, 2002... Inchcape PLC's quoted Singaporean subsidiary, Inchcape Motors Ltd (IML) reported full year 2001 results in line with group expectations today but warned that operating profit from continuing businesses in 2002 will be lower year-on-year, the...

Brunei: Same delays over sacrificial animals.
February 26, 2002... Byline: Rosli Abidin Yahya Several Muslims here would love to join millions of Muslims worldwide in observing the Qurban rites by slaughtering buffaloes and goats, but some could not do so as a result of shortage of buffaloes and goats,...

Brunei: Lambak secondary school holds Qurban.
February 26, 2002... Byline: Azrol Azmi The Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Masna Secondary School yesterday held a qurban ceremony in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidil Adha yesterday morning. Haji Chuchu Tassim, Deputy Principal, said one buffalo and two...

Brunei: Royal greetings to Kuwait.
February 25, 2002... His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to send congratulatory messages to His Royal Highness Sheikh Jaber Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait and HRH Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah, the...

Brunei: Scourge of break-in gangs.
February 24, 2002... Byline: Ignatius Stephen Gangs understood to be foreigners are robbing trusting Bruneians of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The thieves operating in twos and threes keep a vigil at local banks especially during paydays and pre...

Brunei: Royalty attend mass Aidil Adha prayer.
February 24, 2002... Byline: Azlan Othman His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday attended a mass Aidil Adha prayer and sacrificial ceremony at the Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque in Kiarong. Also present were His Royal...

Brunei: Ex-soldiers observe Qurban.
February 24, 2002... Byline: Rosli Abidin Yahya Members of the Brunei-Muara Ex-Army Association joined millions of Muslims all over the world yesterday in observing the Hari Raya Aidiladha and the Qurban sacrificial ceremonies. After performing the...

Brunei: Indonesian embassy holds prayers.
February 24, 2002... The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia held a Hari Raya prayers on Saturday. It was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr Wyoso Prodjowarsito, diplomatic staff and their famillies as well as Indonesian community in Brunei. After...

Brunei: Miri checkpoints extend hours.
February 24, 2002... Byline: Rosli Abidin Yahya The Malaysian Immigration counters at Sungai Tujuh checkpoint will be open round-the-clock from March 2 to 4 as Bruneians are expected to come in droves during the national-level launching of the Malaysian Mega...

Brunei: More a Crusoe than Tarzan.
February 24, 2002... The much-talked about Tutong Tarzan may not have lived like 'Tarzan' after all. His life story in the jungle sounds more like the story of Robinson Crusoe. For almost seven years, the much-talked about 'Tutong Tarzan' was discovered to...

Brunei: Call to check on spare parts.
February 24, 2002... Byline: Rosli Abidin Yahya A business association has called for relevant government agencies to check all vehicle spare parts shops to establish the origin of the spare parts in questions. According to Hj Emran bin Hj Yahya, the...

Brunei: Thrilling aerobatics display today.
February 24, 2002... Byline: Reyna Seeing a radio model helicopter to do aerobatics is scary and exciting at the same time. One demonstration was performed by a Singapore and Regional Heli Champion, Walter Lee, yesterday at Simpang 74-59 Kampong Mata...

Brunei: National Day greetings.
February 24, 2002... Byline: Suriani Garip About 50 congratulatory messages have been flowing in to greet Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with its 18th National Day Celebrations on February 23rd, 2002. More world leaders have extended their greetings on...

Brunei: Strict visa rules earn dividends.
February 23, 2002... Strict regulations on the issuance of visas to Brunei-bound tourists and visitors may have prevented the nation from being used as a safe haven by terrorists and international criminals. Major Thailand newspapers reported the Thai...

Brunei: Silat for students.
February 23, 2002... Byline: Azrol Azmi A Brunei school, in the lookout for an extra-curricular activity for its students, stumbled on the idea of starting a silat club as it was this traditional Malay martial art that put the Sultanate on the global map...

Brunei: Graffiti eyesore at Brunei beaches.
February 23, 2002... Byline: Jeani Goh Beaches in Brunei are popular weekend spots for families and couples. Some go there for a barbecue, some for flying kites while a few for a good swim. But graffiti on stones piled up on some of the beaches are becoming...

Brunei: ICT resources at Brunei schools impress visiting UK teachers.
February 23, 2002... As part of UK government programme to raise standards in British schools, eleven teachers from England have spent the last week in Brunei. The teachers were based in Jerudong International School. The British government is encouraging...

Brunei: Peace of mind through prayers.
February 23, 2002... Byline: Malai Hassan Othman His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei last night highlighted the importance of prayer as a way to get close to Allah the Almighty and to have peace of mind and heart especially in time of...

Brunei: Mercedes-Benz masterpiece.
February 23, 2002... Byline: Azlan Othman Jati Transport is bringing a new Limited Edition Mercedes-Benz E 200K Masterpiece exclusively to the Brunei market. As the "Limited Edition" is limited to 30 units only and arriving from February, demand is...

Brunei: Disney tickets available now.
February 23, 2002... Byline: Jacky Lim The Disney On Ice - 100 Years of Magic tickets are now available for sale. The organiser, QAF Brunei made the announcement on the comeback of the Disney On Ice show to the Sultanate in Dec last year. However,...

Brunei: Nursing research workshop held.
February 23, 2002... Professor Philip Burnard, Vice Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom - facilitator for the nursing workshop - with College of Nursing officials and workshop...

Brunei: Chung Hwa's gold medallists.
February 23, 2002... Ting Chew Yeu (Form 1A), Yap Xiao Ting (Primary 5 Express) and Shim Chin Yee (Primary 5A) of Chung Hwa Middle School, Bandar Seri Begawan, have been awarded the 2001 International Competitions For Schools Computer Studies Gold Medal. They are...

Brunei: Ops Jejak 6: No let-up for illegal workers.
February 23, 2002... Byline: Abd Khalik Saifulrijal The Brunei authorities are on a constant vigil for illegal immigrant workers here and yesterday itself, a joint operation named Ops Jejak 6, mounted by officials from Labour and Immigration Enforcement...

Brunei: Parkson plans Brunei branch.
February 23, 2002... Byline: Ignatius Stephen Brunei, here we come! If you do not come to us, we will come over. That is the stand large Miri supermarket and department store owners seem to have taken at last. They appear to be tired of waiting for...

Brunei: Visit of Japanese foreign ministry official.
February 23, 2002... Byline: Jacky Lim Mr Sugiura Seiken, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan will visit Brunei Darussalam from February 24-26, 2002. The announcement was made yesterday in a statement by the Embassy of Japan in Brunei. ...

Brunei: Smuggled cars return as spares.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Ignatius Stephen In Brunei, a car is stolen every three days and presumably driven across the border. But they are speedily returned to the Sultanate piece by piece - as cheap spare parts. According to reliable sources some...

Brunei: Navy cleans up Muara Beach.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Reyna The Royal Brunei Navy invaded the Muara Beach yesterday afternoon. Armed with cleaning utensils and large garbage bags the 350 Navy personnel including those from the Women's Company and several officers gave the beach a...

Brunei: Brunei expands exploration in deepwater.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Rosli Abidin Yahya BHP Billiton Limited announced yesterday that it has expanded its petroleum exploration portfolio with the addition of deepwater acreage off the coast of Brunei Darussalam in South-east Asia. In a statement...

Brunei: Promotions for 21 fire-fighters.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Azrol Azmi A group of twenty-one fire-fighters from the Brunei Fire Services yesterday received their promotion in a brief ceremony held at the Brunei Fire Services Headquarters in Berakas. Among the group of twenty-one...

Brunei: Thai gets 3mths jail for overstaying.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Suriani Garip A 42-year-old Thai, Buntan Yongkham was found guilty of overstaying and working without permit in Brunei Darussalam. For this offence he was sentenced to three months imprisonment by Magistrate Dk Masni Pg Bahar....

Brunei: Croatian Vice-Minister calls on Princess Hajah Masna.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Azlan Othman Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday received a courtesy call from Dr. Vesna Cvjetkovic Kurelec, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia. ...

Brunei: Spirit of patriotism.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Achong Tanjong National flags are hoisted in shops along Bangar town in Temburong as a sign of patriotism as Brunei celebrates its National Day on Feb 25.

Brunei: JIS staging Wizard of Oz on Feb 27.
February 22, 2002... 'The Wizard of Oz' is coming to Brunei as Jerudong International School's musical production for 2002. Students from all year levels across the school form the cast and orchestra for the performance and with opening night just around the...

Brunei: Royal audience and state banquet for visiting Croatian president.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Azlan Othman His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam last night hosted a state banquet in honour of the visiting Croatian President Stjepan Mesic at the Istana Nurul Iman. Earlier His Majesty, Her...

Brunei: No haze in Brunei.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Jacky Lim "Brunei will not be particularly affected by the haze over Indonesia and in the next few weeks, and there will be no haze effecting the region", the Meteorological duty forecaster at the Meteorological Section said. ...

Brunei: Medical, engineering courses open in India.
February 22, 2002... A number of seats in medical pharmacy and engineering courses are open to Brunei students in medical/engineering colleges in India under the government of India's self-financing programme students scheme, the High Commission of India said in...

Brunei: SMEs rejoice over recovery fund.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Rosli Abidin Yahya The government-induced economic recovery fund of over $100 million in the next few months has been well received by the business community of this country and feel such inducement that will help locals to regain...

Brunei: Rifle case remitted to court.
February 21, 2002... A 51-year-old local, Mohd Yunus bin Abdullah, allegedly caught possessing a rifle was yesterday remitted to the Intermediate Court. Mohd Yunus faces a charge under the Rule 2 of the Arms and Explosives Act, which carries a minimum sentence of...

Brunei: Bandar lights up for National Day celebrations.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Jeffrey Wong With just a few days to go for the 18th National Day celebrations, Bandar Seri Begawan has been lit up with waves of eye-catching neon lights. The lighting has been sponsored by the private sector and organisations...

Brunei: RTB receives PCs from CCC.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Suriani Garip & Reyna Economic news is important for businesses to grow and develop in the Sultanate, and there is indeed a need for wider coverage of such news in Brunei Darussalam. In line with this, the Chinese Chamber of...

Brunei: Brunei now has clout; can steer tourism next.
February 21, 2002... Brunei Darussalam has gained the respect and admiration of the international community. Because of this, Brunei Darussalam has more than once played a role as honest broker in some regional forums in resolving certain issues. This unique...

Brunei: 3rd Southeast Asia Disaster Management Cooperation Meeting opens at VOCTECH.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Jacky Lim Brunei Darussalam yesterday hosted the 3rd Southeast Asia Disaster Management Cooperation Meeting for the first time, ever since the country became a member of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red...

Brunei: Rubbish bobbing in Brunei River.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Achong Tanjong Despite constant clean-up operations by the authorities, floating household wastes continue to choke the Brunei River, where lies the world famous water village, a popular tourist spot. The wastes start bobbing...

Brunei: Chung Hwa gets excellent results in GCE 'O' Level.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Cedrina Norlaila A. Clark Chung Hwa Middle School at Kg Berangan, Bandar Seri Begawan has scored a record-breaking pass percentage of 96.34 at last year's GCE 'O' Level examinations. Of the 82 candidates sitting the 2001 'O'...

Brunei: Get healthy with Great Eastern Life.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Cedrina Norlaila A. Clark The year 2002 marks an exciting beginning for Great Eastern Life in its efforts to perform community services. On January 31, 2002, it organised a seminar to inform people about the value of good health...

Brunei: National Day Food Fiesta at season.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Zureena Abdullah In conjunction to the 18th National Day of Brunei Darussalam, Season restaurant at Centrepoint Hotel Gadong is holding a Food Fiesta for the whole month of February. A 23% discount will be given to those who are...

Brunei: Talk on struggle, success of Islam in America.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Azrol Azmi & Azaraimy H Hasib US Islamic chaplain, Lt Hussain Muhammad Shaikh, yesterday conducted a talk on "Struggles and Success in Islam in America" at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam with a strong attendance of more than 50...

Brunei: Final rehearsal for National Day.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Suriani Garip About 10,000 participants and working committee members of the 18th National Day celebration have been working hard to ensure an excellent performance at the mass gathering at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien...

Brunei: Brunei to invest in naptha cracker plant.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Rosli Abidin Yahya The Brunei Government is to invest in building the Philippines first naphtha cracking plant, said major newspapers in Manila. Apart from Brunei Government, the major equity shareholders in the $600 million...

Brunei: Name change lands Thai in hot soup.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Abd Khalik Saifulrijal Believing her daughter's name was jinxed, a mother persuaded a Thai national to change her name prior to her re-entry in Brunei, only to land her in further grief. Kanda Panthong, 45, was among four...

Brunei: Asean members can get Oman visa upon arrival.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Rosli Abidin Yahya Brunei Darussalam is among six Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries included in the list of 53 nations whose nationals may now obtain tourist visas upon arrival to enter the Sultanate...

Brunei: GASEX signing ceremony.
February 20, 2002... Byline: June Ong In conjunction with the First Local Coordination meeting for GASEX 2002, a signing ceremony to officiate the appointment of service providers to Brunei LNG Sdn. Bhd. (BLNG) for the upcoming Gas Exchange (GASEX)...

Brunei: Hefty fine for drug offender.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Liza Mohamad A hefty fine of $7,700 was imposed on a 35-year-old local, Ahmad bin Mahmud, who pleaded guilty to consuming and possessing Syabu and drug utensils. The court yesterday imposed the said fine with a 16-months jail...

Brunei: Top JIS student to study at Oxford.
February 20, 2002... Jerudong International school is delighted to announce that Sanghee Ahn has been offered a place to study at one of the most prestigious Universities in the UK - Oxford University (Lady Margaret Hall). Sanghee Ahn has been a student at...

Brunei: First BBBF meet held.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Jacky Lim Prince Abdul Qawi, Executive Deputy Chairman and Director of QAF Brunei, in his capacity as the Patron of Britain Brunei Business Forum (BBBF) last night attended the first BBBF meeting held at the Orchid Garden Hotel...

Brunei: 'Islam in America' exhibition at UBD.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Reyna Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) co-hosted an exhibition on "Islam in America" with the Embassy of the United States of America in Brunei. The opening ceremony was held at the Universiti's library yesterday morning. ...

Brunei: Disney's duty: family fun, happy ending.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Jacky Lim There is something for everyone in the audience at a Disney On Ice show, says Mr Robert McHugh, Vice President - International Sales and Business Development of Feld Entertainment Inc. - the producer of Disney On Ice...

Brunei: Brunei hosts meeting to boost Malay literature in region.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Abd Khalik Saifulrijal The publication of Malay language books in this region has not yet had a significant impact on the propagation and expansion of Malay language and literature. Thus, the flow of books in Malay and...

Brunei: Prince at Asean retreat.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Courtesy Information Department His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, is greeted by the Deputy Governor of Phuket Niran Kalayanamit on his arrival at the Phuket...

Brunei: RBAF para jumper practises landing.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Rudolf Portillo The opening act of the 18th National Day celebrations of Brunei Darussalam at the Taman Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien on February 25 will be a breathtaking airborne performance by the Royal Brunei Air Force...

Brunei: Islam is part of US 'mosaic'.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Suriani Garip Islam is a religion that tries to bridge the gap of understanding; the reason why many people do not understand what Islam actually stands for is because they do not have the right knowledge of the faith. US...

Brunei: Disney to put on 'fantastic' show.
February 19, 2002... Byline: Jacky Lim "The Disney On Ice - 100 Years of Magic, will mark another successfully performance not only in our countries but also in Brunei," said Mr Christopher M. Yancey, Vice President, Asia Pacific, International Sales and...

Brunei: Seminar on steel grating.
February 19, 2002... Byline: Abd Khalik Saifulrijal Steel grating is a relative new industry to Brunei Darussalam, this particular industry requires high technology as well as trained experts. The industry, however, is no stranger to neighbouring...