Borneo Bulletin articles from March 2009

Borneo Bulletin archives from March 2009

Police launch probe into missing remittance $$$.
March 31, 2009... A company, which failed to honour thousands of dollars paid in remittances by foreign workers in the Sultanate, is now under police investigation, an investigating officer at the Royal Brunei Police Force told the Bulletin. At least 200...

UK university staff to help Brunei students finalise their applications.
March 31, 2009... Students hoping to continue their studies overseas are in the process of finalising their applications. To help students during this crucial period, staff from a number of prestigious universities will be visiting Brunei over the next few...

New Information Dept Director.
March 31, 2009... The Public Service Department, Prime Minister's Office informed that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented for the appointment of Dr Hj Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong, Deputy Head of the History...

Airport comes under microscope.
March 31, 2009... Minister of Communications Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awg Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong yesterday paid a working visit to the Brunei International Airport to take a closer look at the ongoing renovation works being...

Product expo to be held at Orchid Garden Hotel.
March 31, 2009... The Chemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (CAPEXIL) will be holding a "Multi-Product Exhibition / Buyer-Seller Meet" at Orchid Garden Hotel next Monday (April 6) between 10am and 4pm. According to a press release from...

12 promoted to Deputy Station Officers.
March 31, 2009... A total of 12 Fire and Rescue Personnel were promoted to Deputy Station Officers yesterday in a ceremony held at the Officer's Mess of the Fire and Rescue Headquarters. The officers who received their insignias for Deputy Station...

Ministry of Religious Affairs, Education enter finals of Civil Service Quiz.
March 31, 2009... Four ministries competed in the 11th Civil Service Semi-Final Quiz 2008 held yesterday at the Civil Service Institute in Rimba, Gadong. During the event, the team from the Ministry of Finance went against the Ministry of Religious Affairs...

New office bearers elected during 3PSM general meeting.
March 31, 2009... The Association of Petrol Station Owners and Operators (3PSM) Negara Brunei Darussalam recently held its 15th Annual General Meeting in Kuching, Sarawak. The meeting was held at the Dormani Hotel in Kuching. More than 50 people representing...

Sharing of learning experiences for Bruneian students in Southampton.
March 31, 2009... A group of 33 Bruneian students at the Southampton University in the UK had the opportunity to meet with Pg Abd Ghani Pg Hj Momin (Academic Co-ordinator, Education Attache), Hj Amir Azman Pokps DP Hj Abdul Rahman (High Commission of Brunei...

Hospitality students visit LeGallery Suites Hotel.
March 31, 2009... Forty-five students accompanied by eight instructors from Hospitality and Tourism Department from Sultan Saiful Rijal College organised an educational visit to the LeGallery Suites Hotel yesterday. According to Dyg Juliana, one of the...

Fifty-one take part in Orientation Camp 2009.
March 31, 2009... Fifty-one participants from four secondary schools in Tutong took part in the Orientation Camp 2009. It was held at Pg Dipa Negara Pg Jaya Secondary School (SPDNPJ), Sengkarai Tutong. The four-day-three-night programme was held from March...

Labour Dept warns against employment pass violations.
March 31, 2009... The Enforcement Section of the Labour Department will not hesitate to take stern action on any employers who are found to have misused the foreign workers' employment pass following the latest operation at the busy weekend market in Gadong,...

Mini-concert hailed as success and positive exposure for local artistes.
March 31, 2009... A two-day mini-concert held over the weekend was hailed as a success as it provided a positive exposure for the local artistes involved. Singing sensations Maria and Zul F showcased their vocal talents in a show organised by Jerudong...

Brunei Photography Assn visits Wasai Bedanu.
March 31, 2009... Members of Brunei Darussalam Photographic Association conducted an outdoor photography session yesterday at Wasai Bedanu, Kg Mungkum Kiudang at Lamunin. The session was led by its President, Awg Hj Yusof Yassin. The event was part of the...

What Asia should expect from G20.
March 31, 2009... Asia has come of age. In a few days, the region's rising powers - China, India, Korea and Indonesia - will be sitting at the global high table to decide on ways to reshape the world's financial and economic order. As leaders from the...

Japanese students in Brunei for immersion programme.
March 31, 2009... Fifteen Japanese students participated in the school immersion programme at various schools in Brunei Darussalam. The students are members of the APCC Fukuoka Mission Programme. They will undergo co-curriculum activities and attend...

STKRJ Kg Lambak Kiri holds Azan competition.
March 31, 2009... STKRJ Kg Lambak Kiri Mosque recently held an Azan competition for its congregation. The event started with the recital of the surah al-fatihah right after the mass Isyak prayers. Emerging as the winner in the youth category was Awg Md...

Myanmar national killed in freak road accident.
March 31, 2009... A 39-year-old Myanmar national standing by the side of the road was killed when a saloon car went out of control and rammed into him near Simpang 552 in Kg Masin around lunchtime yesterday. According to a friend of the deceased, Than...

SOBB holds photography activities.
March 31, 2009... The Photography Club of Sayyidina Othman Bukit Beruang Secondary School, Tutong recently organised a photo-taking activity at Bandar Seri Begawan. The excursion was to give an opportunity for members to hone their skills, especially in...

Student immigration system launched in UK.
March 31, 2009... Starting today (March 31), Bruneian students looking to study in the UK will be able to apply for their visas through Tier 4 of the new streamline Points Based System. The British High Commission to Brunei Darussalam yesterday made this...

Job-seekers attend course to boost confidence.
March 31, 2009... Today sees the continuation of courses offered to local job-seekers under "Program Khas Graduan Dan Lepasan Sekolah Mencari Pekerjaan Di Bawah Dana Sumber Manusia", in which about 25 participants have registered to attend a cashier course....

UBD celebrates Prophet's birthday.
March 31, 2009... The opening of a week-long event to commemorate Mauludir Rasul, the birthday of the Prophet (pbuh), was launched yesterday at the Central Lecture Theatre of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). The guest of honour, Dk Dr Nurolaini Pg Hj...

Death in police custody: Trial adjourned.
March 31, 2009... The High Court yesterday adjourned the case of four police officers charged with murder and grievous hurt of Abdul Rahim Abdullah @ Tan Tong Hock to May 4 at 9am. Still no plea was taken from the defendants yesterday. This is due to the...

Preliminaries of Quran memorization competition under way.
March 31, 2009... Over 110 Muslims are taking part in this year's Quran memorisation and understanding competition. The preliminary rounds, which began yesterday at the lecture hall of Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Quran Tahfiz Institute, will end on April...

Consultative Council holds religious event.
March 31, 2009... The Kampong Orang Kaya Besar Imas/Pulaie Consultative Council and its Women's Bureau recently held a religious function to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet (pbuh). It was held at the residence of Ustaz Muhammad bin Garing, the...

Thai workers duped.
March 30, 2009... Several Thai workers in Brunei have allegedly been duped by a local remittance company. It has not only failed to remit the hard-earned money of its victims to their families, but has also shut its doors thus leaving the victims in the...

Talented young star crowned champion of 'Bintang Kecil'.
March 30, 2009... The final round of the 'Bintang Kecil RTB Kristal 2009' competition was held yesterday at the Dewan Raya RTB in the capital. Eleven-year-old Abd Aziz Harun, emerged as the champion for this year's talent time show as he captivated...

PEMODA presents appreciation to its pioneers.
March 30, 2009... With the slogan "BERSEPADU" (United), the Darussalam Motorcycle Association kicked off its 13th year celebration last night at the Jeluton Hotel in Jerudong. Without the support and dedication of its members, an association will never...

Masrur Fuad, Nur Rodaah champs of USWAH story-telling contest.
March 30, 2009... Awg Masrur Fuad bin Hj Asmat and Dyg Nur Rodaah bte Hj Asmat, both representing Kampong Masin Mosque became champions of the USWAH story-telling competition for mosques and suraus in the Brunei-Muara District. The competition was...

24 rover scouts complete basic wood badge training.
March 30, 2009... After three days living in the wild, 24 rover scouts completed their basic wood badge training yesterday. Rover scouts comprising 22 men and two women completed their training programme at the camping site of the country's scouts...

Bright Jigsaw holds Sports Day.
March 30, 2009... Bright Jigsaw International School, Kg Salambigar, Jalan Muara conducted its Annual School Sports Day at Welfare Youth and Sports field, Berakas Complex recently. Various Games such as relay, sprint, shot-put, hurdles, long jump,...

2 foreigners nabbed during raids.
March 30, 2009... Thirteen officers from the Law Enforcement Section of the Department of Immigration and National Registration have taken part in Operation Bungkas 62/2009 late Saturday evening, which resulted in the apprehension of two foreigners. The...

Silk Shoppe boutique caters to Chiffon lovers.
March 30, 2009... The Silk Shoppe boutique at Kampong Serusop sells only one sort of material - the Silk Chiffon. According to Karishma, the owner of the boutique said they focus more on Chiffons after hearing feedbacks from their regular customers. ...

Graduation ceremony for Filipino children class.
March 30, 2009... Sixty-one students graduated from the Filipino language, culture and history course yesterday conducted by the Philippine Embassy during the 10-day school break. "For us, this course for children is the most meaningful in our programmes...

F1 fever at Jati's new showroom.
March 30, 2009... Jati Transport Sdn Bhd opened the doors to its Gadong showroom yesterday, during which they invited customers and special guests to view the start of this year's Formula One season in Australia. "This is the first time we're holding an...

Students called on to join co-curriculum.
March 30, 2009... As detailed in the Co-Curriculum for Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Colleges Policy Book 2007, all students must be involved in co-curriculum activities. And the proceedings can be run inside or outside of the classroom in accordance...

Young stars dazzle at 'Bintang Kecil' show.
March 30, 2009... Some of the nation's talented young artistes displaying their singing powers at the annual 'Bintang Kecil RTB Kristal 2009' competition yesterday at the Dewan Raya RTB in the capital. Photo shows a group of young stars at the show. Azim...

Committee meeting on tug-of-war contest.
March 30, 2009... The Executive Committee of Brunei Darussalam Tug-of-War Association, in conjunction with His Majesty's 63rd birthday celebration, held its first meeting recently at the Brunei-Muara District Office. On hand to chair the event was...

New prefects for SR Layong.
March 30, 2009... Layong Primary School, Tutong II recently held a badge presentation ceremony for the new prefects. With the ex-prefects promoted to Year Seven, new prefects were elected. The students were selected based on their attitude and behavior in...

Japanese students meets foster families.
March 30, 2009... Fifteen Japanese students from Fukuoka, under a "Mission Project" for the Asia Pacific Children Convention (APCC), were introduced to their foster families at Brunei Hotel recently. The foster family programme is one of the activities...

Preparing for Ching Ming Festival.
March 30, 2009... Preparing for the Tomb Sweeping Day or 'Ching Ming' on April 6, members of several Chinese associations in Belait District visited gravesites in Kuala Belait to honour their ancestors. The festival is one of the most important festival in the...

UBD Students Visit SMARTER.
March 30, 2009... Seven students taking B Ed in Primary Education (Special Education) conducted an educational visit to SMARTER Sengkurong recently. The visit is part of their activity in line with learning classroom support, teaching strategies and management...

Family Day to foster ties among staff of MIPR.
March 30, 2009... The Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources yesterday held a Family Day which was attended by officers and staff members from the ministry and the departments under it. Also in attendance were their family members. The Family Day was...

Family celebrates 91st birthday of DP Hj Md Husain.
March 30, 2009... The family of Dato Paduka Hj Md Husain Md Yusof yesterday celebrated his 91st birthday at Muara Beach which was attended by his children, 22 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Prior to that, the family conducted an aerobics...

HSBC RED Sale Road Show attracts many spectators.
March 30, 2009... A large crowd of people were gathered at The Mall's Atrium Hall in Gadong yesterday for a wonderful skit by the enigmatic Auntie May on the HSBC RED Sale Road Show's last day. Audience members were laughing and interacting with Auntie May...

Local troupe to take part in Lion Dance championship in Sarawak.
March 30, 2009... A lion dance troupe from Brunei Darussalam will be taking part in the 2nd Cash Sweep Sarawak Open Dragon and Lion Dance Championship 2009 to be held on May 1 and May 2 in Kuching. The troupe will be among the 50 teams to compete at the...

Transfer and appointment of senior officials.
March 30, 2009... Awang Haji Mahmud bin Haji Mohd Daud, Deputy Permanent Secretary at The Prime Minister's Office has been transferred to the Ministry of Communications as Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin...

Free health checks, consultations for Thai workers.
March 30, 2009... In collaboration with the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Royal Thai government sent in a team of doctors and psychologists to conduct free health checks and consultations for Thai workers...

Minister leads charity walk in KB.
March 30, 2009... Nearly 1,000 people swarmed the Padang Bandaran Kuala Belait yesterday morning to participate in the charity walk to raise funds for various causes. Leading the walk was the Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato...

Karate Contest in Mumong.
March 30, 2009... The Brunei Karate-Do Federation BRUKAF held the first competition for under 21 years old. It took place in Mumong sports complex, Kuala Belait. Teams such as Wadokai from Belait, Shitokai Tutong, BSRC and UBD competed in the martial art...

53 beginner-scouts joined camp.
March 30, 2009... Fifty-three beginner scouts recently participated in the three-day 'Sedetik Sejuta Perjalanan' camp at Sekolah Rendah PSN Pg Mohd Yusof, Seria. The guest of honour who launched the event was Cikgu Zauyah binte Haji Mohd Yusof, the school...

A creativity-filled holiday at Seri Mulia Sarjana International School.
March 30, 2009... Over a hundred and fifty Seri Mulia Sarjana International School students from year one to six joined the first ever Art Camp themed, "Ideas to stimulate creativity". The camp was officiated by Chong Wee Meng, the Deputy Principal of SMSIS....

250 KB children join colouring contest.
March 30, 2009... Some 250 children joined the Colouring Contest in conjunction with the 25th National Day held at Padang Bandaran Kuala Belait yesterday. The colouring contest was organised in collaboration by Language and Literature Bureau at the...

Call for greater awareness on global warming.
March 30, 2009... Members of the public have applauded the country's effort in joining the rest of world in supporting Earth Hour last Saturday night, and called for more initiatives in creating awareness on global warming in the country. Though Brunei is...

Colours of Malaysia - Citrarasa Miri 2009.
March 30, 2009... Thousands of Bruneians raced to the border town of Miri in Sarawak to enjoy a three-day carnival entitled "The Colours of Malaysia - Citrarasa Miri 2009" over the weekend, causing unusual traffic jam at the Sungai Tujuh Immigration and...

Prizes for dikir competition winners.
March 30, 2009... The male team from the Survey Department and the female team from the Housing Development Department emerged as champions of the Dikir Syarafil Annam Competition for the Ministry of Development and the departments under it. A total of...

Japanese students get taste of Brunei.
March 30, 2009... A group of Japanese students had a field day yesterday as they received a lesson on paddy harvesting in Lamunin, something they hadn't expected to do while in Brunei. Accompanied by their foster family Hjh Siti Nurhafizah and Pg Hjh...

'Merdekarama' programme instils patriotism.
March 30, 2009... An entertainment programme that was held in conjunction with Brunei's Silver Jubilee National Day celebration entitled 'Merdekarama' took place at the Kampong Pandan multi-purpose hall on Saturday evening. Organised by the Information...

3 youth leaders attend Asean+3 executive course.
March 30, 2009... Three officials flew off from Brunei International Airport yesterday to represent the Sultanate in the Second Asean+3 Leadership Executive Programme that will be held in Singapore from March 29 until April 5. Hj Mohd Rosfazilah bin Hj...

60-minute break for planet Earth.
March 29, 2009... Brunei Darussalam joined the rest of the world in turning the lights out for Earth Hour, an initiative started by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) to save energy around the world for an hour. Leading hotels in the sultanate, notably The...

OGDC promotes teambuilding with activities.
March 29, 2009... Seventeen people participated in a team-building programme on social investment organised by the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC), a flagship of Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd yesterday. Participants comprised of staff from MOP...

Cervical Cancer Awareness Talk for SCB staff.
March 29, 2009... Staff from the Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) took time out yesterday afternoon to broaden their knowledge on cervical cancer through a Cervical Cancer Awareness Talk by an obstetrician/gynaecologist. Held at the Yayasan Sultan Haji...

Curtains drawn on Strategic Management course.
March 29, 2009... Yesterday marked the closing ceremony of a two-week programme on 'Strategic Management: A Course for VTET Administrators'. The event was held at the Teratai Hall, Seameo Voctech, Gadong. The guest of honour was Dk Hjh Mastoli Pg Seri...

HSBC's Red-hot Sales.
March 29, 2009... Scores of people yesterday descended on The Mall in Gadong to join in on the fun and games lined up for the HSBC Red Sales Promotion Roadshow, which will come to an end today. The roadshow promises to be a exciting event for visitors of...

Charity event for flood, landslide victims.
March 29, 2009... A ceremony was yesterday held to mark the opening of the two-day International Women's Club Brunei Darussalam (IWCB) charity bazaar at The Mall in Gadong. Present to officiate the event was Datin Mahani Dato Hj Abu Zar, the spouse of the...

Undeserving 'took advantage' of relief goods.
March 29, 2009... Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd Yusof expressed his discontent over the discovery that people took advantage of donated...

Chiefs told to open up minds.
March 29, 2009... Penghulus, village heads and longhouse chiefs should realise that they shoulder big responsibilities to develop and make prosperous their mukim and kampong and Brunei's 25 years of independence are adequate to teach them to be mature and...

YSHHB gives $67,841 in donations.
March 29, 2009... Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation (YSHHB) yesterday handed over contributions totalling $67,841 to several recipients. Managing Director of YSHHB Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali Hashim Haji Daud handed the contributions. The sum of...

20 million spent on chronic diseases last year: MoH.
March 29, 2009... The Minister of Health yesterday revealed that His Majesty's Government last year spent $20.7 million on treating chronic diseases, which was 51 per cent of the overall expenditure on medicines. The amount did not include the expenditures for...

NCB sweeps 10 perpetrators off the streets.
March 29, 2009... The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in its tireless vigilance has once again apprehended several individuals suspected of consuming and distributing illegal drugs openly in public. According to a press release from NCB, investigations into...

TAP counters closed on Tuesday.
March 29, 2009... The Employees Trust Fund (TAP) wishes to inform the public that all their counters will be closed on Tuesday, March 31 due to the Financial Closing Year 2008/2009. TAP will resume its normal operation on Wednesday, April 1. However, the...

Ready for the next level?
March 29, 2009... Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) yesterday held a postgraduate fair with the theme "Ready for the Next Level?" Held at the university's Chancellor Hall, the fair showcased UBD's faculties, institute, academy and centre's postgraduate...

Al-Falaah School staff enhance skills on fire prevention.
March 29, 2009... Al-Falaah School took good advantage of the school holiday with meaningful activity to enhance teachers' and staff's skills in fire prevention. Forty-seven people comprising teacher and staff from all Al-Falaah branches attended the fire...

4 companies caught operating without licence.
March 29, 2009... Four companies were given stern verbal and written warnings for operating operated without a Miscellaneous Licence in an operation codenamed "Cegah Bersepadu 7/2009" led by the BSB Municipal Board yesterday. Under chapter 127 of the...

Aviation industry into HSE lifestyle.
March 29, 2009... The Airport Fire Services conducted the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) programme to help open the minds, change behaviors and promote improvements among staff. The programme was launched by the guest of honour, Haji Awang...

MoC holds motivational talk to serve the public better.
March 29, 2009... A motivational talk titled 'Towards Excellence in Public Service' was held yesterday at the Ministry of Communications, with the aim of enhancing public sectors services to the public. The talk is also designed to motivate officers and staff....

Earth Hour: Too little too late.
March 28, 2009... Brunei has placed yet another vote in support of Earth Hour as the Orchid Garden Hotel and the Empire Hotel and Country Club have jumped on the proverbial bandwagon along with the Sheraton Hotel and HSBC. On Friday, the Department of...

Brunei ranks 63rd in Global IT Report.
March 28, 2009... Brunei has been ranked 63rd out of 134 countries, according to a new report released on Thursday on the Networked-Readiness Index (NRI) of the Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009, the eighth produced by the World Economic Forum...

Micronet grads make diploma inroads for private institutions.
March 28, 2009... There are now three private institutions in the country that are registered as approved centres to run national diploma and higher national diploma that are issued and accredited by Brunei Darussalam Technical Education Council. The...

Passion for chocs wins her $1,000.
March 28, 2009... Hajah Mariyatul walked away with B$1,000 cash, for winning HSBC's latest branding campaign "Your Point of Value" which was launched recently to highlight HSBC's recognition of winning ideas. In the week-long contest, announcements were...

UBD 50 visit iCentre.
March 28, 2009... A batch of 50 Universiti Brunei Darussalam students made an educational visit to the iCentre yesterday afternoon, led by Hjh Syamimi and Mr Chen Chin Kang, the lecturers of ICT (Information Communication Technology) in UBD. The visit was to...

Akira jumbo sale.
March 28, 2009... Leading the Akira jumbo sale (March 26-30) seems to be a rush for cheap toasters. Intracorp is offering for the 5 days, 20 Akira bread toasters at only B$2 on a first-comer basis while stocks last. Pic shows the queue before the store opens...

Site clearance works paving way for Seria housing project.
March 28, 2009... The peat swamp forests of area 10 in Seria have been partly cleared in preparation for the construction of 2,000 houses under the National Housing Scheme by Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB). The site clearance works began since...

Workshop for Asean youths closes with certificate presentation ceremony.
March 28, 2009... The first Asean e-Culture Exchange Workshop for Youth 2009 to be held in Brunei Darussalam came to a close yesterday with a certificate presentation ceremony. Held at the SEAMEO VOCTECH building in Gadong, more than 30 participants aged...