Borneo Bulletin articles from February 2009

Borneo Bulletin archives from February 2009

RBA cuts fuel surcharges.
February 28, 2009... Royal Brunei Airlines yesterday announced that fuel surcharges on its tickets issued in the country will be reduced, starting today. For tickets purchased and issued before February 28, the previous surcharges will still apply. The...

Sultan at Asean summit.
February 28, 2009... His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam last night touched down in Hua Hin Airport prior to attending the formal opening of the 14th Asean Summit today at the resort town of Hua Hin. Accompanying His...

Bookworms flock to Book fair 2009.
February 28, 2009... The Brunei Book Fair 2009 started yesterday at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Indoor Stadium in Berakas. The 10-day event themed "Book is the Future", is being organised by The Language and Literature Bureau in conjunction with the Silver...

Civil Service Institute set for essay writing contest.
February 28, 2009... The Civil Service Institute is organising the Essay Writing Competition 2009, which is open to citizens and those who have resided in the country for over a year. The competition, open to those aged 18 and above, is one of the agency's...

GHK signs privilege partner deals.
February 28, 2009... Since its introduction in 2002, GHK Privilege Card has more than 16,000 registered members. The membership is open to everyone who has purchase vehicles from GHK Motors Sdn Bhd or its appointed dealers According to General Manager John...

Leeches suck for health in Brunei.
February 28, 2009... Dhillon Tahing, an expert "Leech-cupping therapy" in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah has come to Brunei to promote this traditional treatment. According to Pg Hjh Hadijah her older sister recovered from gout at her feet after undergoing...

Keeping youth in step with tradition.
February 28, 2009... The four-day programme of 'Belia Cinta Tanah Air' concluded yesterday with a flourish to keep Bruneian traditions alive, at Dewan Kemasyarakatan 1, Lambak Kanan. Present as guest of honour was Haji Maidin bin Mustapa, the Acting Assistant...

MOE organises two-day leadership workshop for teachers.
February 28, 2009... The Ministry of Education organised a 'Leadership Development to School Leaders' workshop for teachers and staffs from selected education institute. Around 21 participants from Jefri Bolkiah College of Engineering, Sultan Bolkiah Vocational...

Dikir by Temburong Dakwah Unit.
February 28, 2009... In conjunction with the upcoming Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) Birthday (1430/2009), the Dakwah Unit in Temburong led by its head Haji Gapor Hj Mohammad, yesterday organised a 'dikir' which also included the new converts association under the...

Charity Feeding Programme at Pusat Ehsan till March.
February 28, 2009... The 2009 Charity Feeding Programme for Special Needs Kids at Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al Hajjah Maryam was launched yesterday at its premises by Haji Ahmad bin Haji Abd Rahman, Policy and Planning Trustee Pusat Ehsan. Also present...

Korean ambassador hosts dinner for Brunei delegates.
February 28, 2009... The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Kim Dae-sik, last night hosted a dinner to 11 delegates from Brunei who will be undergoing training in Korea between March 2 and March 12, 2009. The dinner was held at the...

Possible milestone for Brunei.
February 28, 2009... As the nation celebrates its 25 years of independence, two girls are battling sub-zero temperatures in Norway, as they train to be the first Bruneians to set foot on the South Pole. "The two women are actually both 'casual' BARA (Brunei...

Wider range of choices for Bachelor of Arts Degree at UBD.
February 28, 2009... The new and innovative Bachelor of Arts Degree programme at UBD now offers a wider range of Major subjects for prospective students to choose from. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) has been coming up with more innovative...

Kg Batong walkathon for Silver Jubilee.
February 28, 2009... A two-kilometre walkathon was recently organised by the Kg Batong Consultative Council in correspondence with the Sultanate's Silver Jubilee. It commenced from the home of Kg Batong's Village Head, Hj Sharbini Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato...

ISB celebrates N-Day with colourful assembly.
February 28, 2009... ISB students and teachers alike turned up for the National day Silver Jubilee Assembly in black and yellow attires, the theme colour for the celebration, which represents the colours of the national flag yesterday morning. The event was...

Final round of exciting BPL SMS Quiz contest.
February 28, 2009... The b.Mobile Communications Sdn Bhd has teamed up with Modasys Technology to launch the final round of this season's Barclay's Premier League (BPL) SMS Quiz Competition, which began from February 23 this year and will end on April 30, 2009....

CHMS conducts educational visit to museum.
February 28, 2009... Year four students from Chung Hwa Middle School, BSB visited the Brunei museum in Kota Batu recently. The visit is in line with the objectives of SPN21 for Social Studies. The enlightening visit provided students with a better...

SECA commemorates Silver Jubilee.
February 28, 2009... Sekolah Cemerlang Abejess (SECA) commemorated the Silver Jubilee National Day celebration with the theme; 'Kedewasaan Bernegara', with a special programme last Tuesday at their school compound. The event began with the singing of the...

Saudi Embassy clarifies on free Umrah visa.
February 28, 2009... The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday clarified the correct position on the issue of free visas for those who wish to perform the Umrah. Following is the full text of the press release from the Royal Embassy...

Hajj Registration Centres open nationwide.
February 28, 2009... The Hajj Management Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that the registration of the Hajj will be opened on Saturday, 3rd Rabiulawal 1430 Hijrah corresponding to February 28, 2009 at 8.30am to 11.30am and will continue in the...

Sneak-peek at Audi's new A3 pocket rocket.
February 28, 2009... The main distributor of Audi cars in Brunei Darussalam, TCY Motors Sdn Bhd, provided a sneak-peek of the new Audi A3 sportback to the local media yesterday before its impending launch. The Audi A3 model line has long been a popular...

Swiss Hotel, BTN join hands to spruce up elderly home.
February 28, 2009... As a way of giving something back to the community, the staff and management of Swiss Hotel Apartments, Kuala Belait lent their hands in repairing and cleaning the house of an elderly couple in Kampong Sungai Mau, Mukim Labi. After the...

'Belia Cinta Tanah Air' programme big hit with participants.
February 28, 2009... The closing ceremony for the 'Belia Cinta Tanah Air 2009' programme for the Tutong District was held yesterday at Kampong Kiudang Mosque. The guest of honour was the Senior Officer at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Awg Hj...

Nearly 400 whipped in 5 years.
February 28, 2009... Between January 1 to February 15, 2009, four foreign workers have been whipped for immigration offences amid efforts to stop migrants from settling illegally in the Sultanate. This is according to the latest Immigration and National...

Brunei inks deals with Asean dialogue partners.
February 28, 2009... Brunei Darussalam's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Orang Kaya Perkerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim yesterday at the five-star Dusit...

NCB shares anti-drugs message with Tutong pupils.
February 28, 2009... The Birau Primary School, Tutong I held an anti-drug talk for its pupils at the school's multi-purpose hall by officers from the Narcotics Control Bureau. The speakers covered various topics including the effects of drug use and...

Brunei & US not worlds apart.
February 28, 2009... She said that she was from the US. She represented President Obama, she claimed. But those who heard her regarded her with suspicion. But sitting in a cafe in Jalan Sultan, you get all types passing by. She was about 50, a white woman and...

Brunei has potential to become eco-tourism hub.
February 28, 2009... As we end the month of February, I just wanted to take a brief moment to thank you all for your many questions and comments about the Ask the US Ambassador column. I read every question we receive and I enjoy hearing from Bruneians directly....

Luxuriously dynamic.
February 28, 2009... BMW is setting the benchmark once again with the introduction of the fifth generation of its 7 Series luxury saloon, proving how pleasure of sheer driving and exclusive generosity may be perfectly combined in the ultimate symbiosis. ...

Royal win at cross country competition.
February 28, 2009... Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah emerged as the champion in the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Female Singles Category of the 2009 National Army Cadets Cross Country Competition held at Muda Hashim...

Wasan Vocational School Consultation Day on March 2.
February 28, 2009... Wasan Vocational School is holding its Consultation Day at the school's Briefing Room on March 2, and interested parties are welcome to attend the 8am event. The BDTVEC National Diploma in Agriculture Science programme offered by the...

Fund manager bullish about Greater China.
February 28, 2009... Fund managers polled in HSBC's quarterly Fund Managers Survey turned bullish about Greater China equities in the first quarter of 2009. "Fund managers are most optimistic about Greater China equities because they expect the stimulus...

BSP religious books launched.
February 28, 2009... Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) yesterday launched a compilation of 'doa' books for its Muslim staff to incorporate the culture of 'Zikirullah' into the principal of safety, health and environment. The launch was held at the...

Siti takes home Supa Save's flashy BMW 320i grand prize.
February 28, 2009... It was indeed a day to remember for 26-year-old Siti Faridah bte Hj Mohd Sabli after she received the keys to a brand new BMW 320i (3 Series), which was the grand prize for the Supa Save 'Shop and Win' annual draw. Ben Foods Senior...

Prices of daily necessities down.
February 28, 2009... There has been a reduction in the prices of daily necessities in recent months in some of the retail shops in the Sultanate. Data of a list of items, sourced from the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE), revealed that...

Sumbangsih Mulia donation box for flood victims.
February 28, 2009... Members of the public keen on making donations to victims of the recent floods and landslides can do so by heading to Sumbangsih Mulia, where a donation box has been made available. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been actively seeking...

Sultan to attend summit in Thailand.
February 27, 2009... The Summit for the people, dubbed by the media here of the 14th Asean Summit 2009, that carries the theme "Asean Charter for Asean People" kicked off yesterday at the five-star resort hotel of Duset Thani Hua Hin at the Thai coastal town of...

JPKE to introduce Consumer Watch Column.
February 27, 2009... As the price hike of daily necessities becomes the 'talk of the town' among the consumers of late, the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) will launch its inaugural Consumer Watch Column in the local media beginning this...

Capital witnesses lowering of giant national flag.
February 27, 2009... With the grand fanfare of the country's Silver Jubilee National Day celebrations over, the giant national flag of Brunei Darussalam was lowered in a ceremony at the open area of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital...

Senior officials to head to Korea for training.
February 27, 2009... An eleven-member delegation will be making a training visit to Korea from March 2 until 12 under the 'Executive Development Programme for Brunei Senior Government Officials' provided by Central Officials Training Institute (COTI) of the...

CIPTA judging 30 short-listed projects for prestigious award.
February 27, 2009... The Crown Prince CIPTA 2009 Award is given to potential inventors residing in Brunei who submitted their innovative and technologically advanced projects. CIPTA or the Creative, Innovative Product and Technological Advancement...

SMSSA celebrates National Day Silver Jubilee.
February 27, 2009... The Sharif Ali Secondary School held a celebration in conjunction with the country's recent National Day Silver Jubilee. The event began with the hoisting of the national flag that was accompanied by the students and teachers singing the...

SUAMPRIPAD marks National Day.
February 27, 2009... Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit Arabic Religious Secondary Girls School (SUAMPRIPAD) yesterday held a celebration to mark the 25th National Day. The event began with a mass doa recital at the school assembly area, followed by a welcoming...

Govt welfare bodies provide new home for Awg Matassim Daud.
February 27, 2009... In cooperation with the Brunei Islamic Religious Council Department, the Temburong District Office yesterday organised a groundbreaking ceremony to build a new home for Awg Matassim bin Daud in Kampong Labu Estate, Mukim Labu, Temburong...

Muda Hashim School wins choral reading competition.
February 27, 2009... The Muda Hashim Primary School, Tutong, emerged as the winner in the Lower Primary Choral Reading Competition, which was held at the PDNJ Primary School in Sengkarai, Tutong. The guest of honour was Cikgu Junit Hj Mohammad, Tutong...

PBCTA participants get taste of village life.
February 27, 2009... Cooking and handicraft activities make up part of the many events lined-up for the Phase III - Serving the Community event of the Belia Cinta Tanah Air Programmes (PBCTA) held to coincide with the Silver Jubilee National Day celebrations in...

Appreciation ceremony for SOASC students.
February 27, 2009... Following their participation in the grand National Day celebrations last Monday, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College (SOASC) held a celebration of its own in a show of appreciation for the tireless efforts and patriotism of the participating...

NLPS Telanai Branch celebrates National Day.
February 27, 2009... Nusa Laila Puteri School (NLPS), Telanai Branch celebrated National Day at its premises in Telanai yesterday. All the children were dressed up in their national traditional attire. The ceremony started with the mass singing of the...

Studying techniques for 'A' Level exams.
February 27, 2009... Some 317 pre-university level students of Sayyidina Ali Secondary School in Kuala Belait learned new studying techniques through a motivational course to better prepare them for the 'A' Level examinations. Consulting Counsellor Dr Ee Ah...

64 RBPF personnel bleed for good cause.
February 27, 2009... Sixty-four officers and personnel of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) donated blood during campaign at the Central Police Station in the capital yesterday morning. The event was held in conjunction with the RBPF's 88th anniversary...

Students attend peer support course.
February 27, 2009... Some 240 students from Belait and Tutong districts of Zone C attended a two-day programme on the Peers Guidance Group (PRS) basic course. Students were trained to positively deal, nurture and offer an ear and support to peers who require...

SPN21 monitoring committee visits SOAS.
February 27, 2009... The SPN21 monitoring committee is visiting schools and colleges to get feedbacks on the new education system. Led by Hjh Fatimah Hj Omar from the Department of Planning Development and Research, Ministry of Education, they listened to the...

Five years without loss time injury.
February 27, 2009... The Weatherford company in Kuala Belait celebrated its five years HSE non-recordable case or without loss time injury at the head office. Present at the event were the Weatherford regional managers, BSP senior officials and employees. ...

Woman missing since January.
February 27, 2009... The Royal Brunei Police Force is seeking the assistance of the public to locate the whereabouts of a 38-year-old woman missing since late January. Hjh Mariam bte Hj Aspar was last seen leaving her home on Jan 22. She is five feet two...

New Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 showcased at The Mall.
February 27, 2009... The new Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 4WD is currently being showcased at The Mall in the ANR National Grand Expo, which runs until March 1. The expo is held in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee National Day celebrations of Brunei Darussalam....

Crown Prince attends high-tea reception hosted by RBAF.
February 27, 2009... His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, General of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran...

US Human Rights Report positive on Brunei.
February 27, 2009... The US State Department annual Human Rights Report for 2008 was released yesterday. In the report for Brunei Darussalam, there were several positive points concerning the conditions of the prisons and the government's zero tolerance...

Science College appoints new student council, peer guide members.
February 27, 2009... Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College held an appointment ceremony for the new members of its student council and Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya (peer guide) for the 2009/10 session at the college's auditorium yesterday. Some 30 Pre U-1...

Consultation Day for potential students of MTSSR.
February 27, 2009... Maktab Teknik Sultan Saiful Rijal (MTSSR) is one of the pioneers in providing technical education in Brunei Darussalam. MTSSR is committed to delivering technical education that is relevant to the needs of the local industries as we prepare...

Govt agencies collaborate for anti-drugs talk.
February 27, 2009... The Beribi Gadong Religious School yesterday held an Anti-Drugs Programme in conjunction with the 25th Silver Jubilee National Day celebration. Representatives from the Royal Brunei Police Force, Narcotics Control Bureau and the Prisons...

Campaign to update information on TAP members.
February 27, 2009... The Employees Trust Fund (TAP) is inviting members of the public especially Belait District residents to visit its 'Updating Members Info Campaign' to confirm that all their information with TAP are up-to-date. The campaign will be held...

Induction programme for newly-appointed headmasters.
February 27, 2009... School leaders are urged to switch to a more effective approach in order to develop students to become better leaders of tomorrow. As agents of change and developers of human capital, they must provide professional leadership and management...

Local companies adopt TQM concept to increase competitiveness.
February 27, 2009... To raise the competitive edge, numerous local companies have adopted a unique concept called 'Total Quality Management' since 1995. Total Quality Management is a dynamic concept that calls for an integrated approach involving everyone in...

Irresistible promotions at annual travel fair.
February 27, 2009... The Fourth Annual Belait Travel Fair will be held at the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC) in Seria from February 28 to March 1. The Travel Fair is organised by Royal Brunei Airlines in collaboration with Abacus Brunei. Six travel...

TIBBB, Youths & Sports Dept sign deal for Project Brunei Gold team.
February 27, 2009... A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday between Takaful IBB Berhad (TIBBB) and the Youth and Sports Department at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports at Takaful IBB Berhad's headquarters, Dar Takaful IBB Utama in the...

Business School holds Open-Day event for prospective students.
February 27, 2009... Prospective students seeking to further their studies at the Business School in Gadong can now visit the two-day consultation open day at their premises. The event began yesterday and will continue on February 28. The school's Registrar,...

Maid catches intruder as police seek more suspects.
February 27, 2009... A domestic helper apprehended an intruder after startling four robbers who broke into a house in Kg Sungai Kelugos, Tutong at 2.43am yesterday. Another suspect was located and arrested after the first intruder was questioned by police....

Airport Express officially rebranded.
February 27, 2009... Royal Brunei Catering (RBC) Express fast food restaurant has been officially rebranded, carrying a new concept as a "family restaurant", following a launch at its outlet at the Brunei International Airport yesterday. The change was part...

New KB housing project timely.
February 27, 2009... The speedy construction of 2,000 homes in Kuala Belait, overseen by Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), will shorten the list of 5,000 housing applicants in Belait District still waiting in line for their homes since they submitted...

First suspect detained under new anti-drug regulation.
February 27, 2009... The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has enforced a new regulation under the Criminal Law (Preventive Detention), Chapter 150 that gives the authority to the bureau to apprehend and detain anyone involved in the misuse of controlled drugs. ...

'V-Trak' puts Brunei on track.
February 27, 2009... The Deputy Minister of Communications lauded Mimit e-Technology and Group 4 Securicor Security Services Sdn Bhd (G4S) who yesterday launched a state-of-the-art 'Tracking Solutions' software product called "V-Trak". V-Trak, which utilises...

Minister meets Canadian envoy.
February 27, 2009... Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, yesterday received a courtesy call at his office from the High Commissioner of Canada to Brunei...

Seatbelt reminder after fatal accident.
February 27, 2009... A young man succumbed to his injuries in a fatal car crash along Jalan Muara on Tuesday (February 24). It is believed that the 34-year-old army personnel way making his way to Muara Camp from Kg Mata-Mata. The man's vehicle veered to...

Joint cooperation needed to tackle environmental health issues: Deputy Minister.
February 26, 2009... "Focusing on health matters, Brunei still considers infectious diseases to be a major issue and can be linked to the environment such as food, water and vector-borne diseases, which needs constant monitoring as well as prevention and control...

Health Ministry holds workshop on NEHAP.
February 26, 2009... The Ministry of Health is holding a two-day consultative workshop on 'Towards the Development of the National Environmental Health Action Plan (NEHAP)', at Dewan Penghayatan, Civil Service Institute (IPA) in Kg Rimba. Officiating the...

Crown Prince lauds Al-Marhum's vision.
February 26, 2009... His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, yesterday spoke of the deepest respect and affection he has for Al-Marhum and lauded his grandfather's far-reaching...

Talk on career in Emergency Medicine at UBD.
February 26, 2009... To gain a better understanding of a career in Emergency Medicine, some 30 students from the Institute of Medicine attended a talk entitled "The Best Specialty in the World", which was delivered by Professor Colin Robertson, a professor from...

Accident along Jalan Setia Diraja.
February 26, 2009... An accident occurred at the roundabout along Jalan Setia Diraja in Kuala Belait late yesterday afternoon. No injuries were reported in the mishap, which involved two saloon cars. Police officials immediately rushed to the scene to control the...

17 senior officers appreciated for learning to improve public services.
February 26, 2009... The Director General of Public Services, Awang Hj Ibrahim bin Hj Hassan presented certificates of appreciation to 17 senior officers who participated in the 6th Development Programme for Government Middle Management Officers at the Kiulap...

Bilateral ties between Brunei and Kuwait further enhanced.
February 26, 2009... The State of Kuwait is looking forward to further enhancing the friendship and bilateral ties with Brunei this year following the Kuwaiti Embassy's opening on October 1, 2008. In his message on Kuwait's 48th National Day, Mr Ghassan M Al-...

Opening of Dzikir Syarafil Anam at SOAS Mosque.
February 26, 2009... The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) Mosque held the opening ceremony last night for the Dzikir Syarafil Anam in conjunction with Maulud Nabi. The event's guest of honour was Pehin Dato Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato...

Landslide-hit road worries residents.
February 26, 2009... The landslides that struck Jalan Tanah Buruk Penanjong earlier this month have affected the infrastructure in the area and left parts of the road damaged. In light of this, residents in the area have expressed their concerns as the...

SKSWood holds two-day supervisory workshop.
February 26, 2009... SKSWood Company yesterday hosted the first of a two-day supervisory workshop at a hotel in Kuala Belait as part of an ongoing series to pass vital information from the management to the various departmental supervisors. Adapting the...

Students give their best at N-Day celebration.
February 26, 2009... It was all smiles at the National Day celebration for students and teachers of SOAS College. The high-spirited students were involved in staging a fantastic display at the stadium. According to SOAS College spokesperson Fahim Docrat, "We all...