Borneo Bulletin articles from September 2008

Borneo Bulletin archives from September 2008

Strengthening research to improve UBD's reach.
September 30, 2008... Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) has been around for 23 years. Though it aims to provide the highest standard of education to churn out quality graduates for the country's workforce, over the long run the university has to shift its focus...

Two car accidents along Jalan Mulaut.
September 30, 2008... Two self-inflicted car accidents occurred yesterday along the Jalan Mulaut-Limau Manis road. The first accident involved a female driver whose car skidded to the roadside in Kampong Masin when she lost control of her vehicle as she tried...

Truck careens off Lumut-Liang highway.
September 30, 2008... The Lumut-Liang highway was the scene of a truck accident yesterday when one of the tyres of a pick-up truck exploded, which resulted in the driver losing control of the vehicle. Police personel rushed to the scene to control the traffic...

Grand fireworks display on first day of Raya.
September 30, 2008... A 30-minute fireworks display will light up the night sky above Kg Rimba, Kg Katok and Kg Tungku at 9pm on the first day of Raya. According to Ak Mohd Saiful Yazid (above), the Head of Technical in charge of the fireworks display, it will...

Money pours in for orphans' fund.
September 30, 2008... The Brunei-Muara District Orphans' Fund yesterday received a $2,000 boost. The money was presented to Brunei-Muara District Officer Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yussof bin Bakar (R) during a ceremony at the Brunei- Muara District Office. The Hokkien...

2 Indonesians caught selling fireworks illegally in Batu Satu.
September 30, 2008... Two Indonesians were yesterday afternoon caught selling fireworks to the public without proper documentation at Hj Md Yusof Building in Batu Satu. According to a press release from the Immigration and National Registration, one of them...

Prayers mark 15th Civil Service Day celebration.
September 30, 2008... Brunei Darussalam yesterday marked its 15th Civil Service Day with prayers at the Jame Asri Mosque in Kiarong and the Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong. Civil Service Day is celebrated annually to highlight the achievements of...

Brunei Museum closed on first two days of Raya.
September 30, 2008... The Department of Museums' exhibits will be closed on the first and second day of Raya. The Brunei Museum in Jalan Kota Batu, Museum Technology Melayu, Bumbungan Dua Belas, the Royal Regalia in the capital and Taman Warisan Tasek...

Local SMEs to participate in Sabah International Exhibition.
September 30, 2008... A total of 19 Small and Medium Enterprises will be participating in the Sabah International Exhibition (SIE) 2008 from Oct 15 to 19 under the pavillion of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) in efforts to promote their...

Country Patch adds warm, cozy touch to cafe.
September 30, 2008... The cozy and homely ambience of the Country Patch cafe in Kuilap makes one feel comfortable with the surroundings while dining. Open daily from 7.30am to 7.30pm, the owner of Country patch Cafe, Elyn Pang said for the past two months...

Bendahara Lama recites prayers for Teacher's Day.
September 30, 2008... In conjunction with the Teacher's Day celebration, Kampong Bendahara Lama held isyak, terawih, witir and tahlil prayers to celebrate the auspicious occasion, which is an annual event organised by the village council of Bendahara Lama. ...

Long queues as Raya nears.
September 30, 2008... Motorists were caught in a traffic jam yesterday as people started their last-minute dash to shopping centres and payment counters to settle telephone and other bills before the long festive holiday beginning either Wednesday or Thursday,...

Temburong residents receive Islamic Religious Council's assistance.
September 30, 2008... The Islamic Religious Council handed over $47,300 to two families, who were eligible recipients of the tithe, to cover the renovation cost of their houses in the Temburong District. Yesterday, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's...

Baiduri merchants first to use wireless card terminal.
September 30, 2008... In a pilot scheme by Baiduri Bank, which kicked off in September 2007, selected business establishments in the country were provided with the latest VeriFone wireless card terminal, the first of its kind in the local market, according to a...

RTB specials for Hari Raya.
September 30, 2008... The upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri will see Radio Television Brunei (RTB) airing various festive TV programmes to commemorate the festivities after a month of fasting. On the first day of Hari Raya, RTB 1 will be airing 'Fajar Mulia', a...

'Prisons Department presents soft drinks to officers and staff.
September 30, 2008... The Prison Department Sports and Welfare Body (Badan Kebajikan dan Sukan) yesterday held a distribution of soft drinks to the senior officers, officers, wardens and staff of the Prison Department in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya...

60 attend talk on latest wireless technologies at iCentre.
September 30, 2008... The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and iCentre recently organised a talk on the new and latest wireless technologies at iCentre, which was attended by 60 participants. On hand to deliver the talk was an invited speaker,...

Women Institute Belait branch holds Khatam al-Quran.
September 30, 2008... Thirty-five members of Women Institute Belait District branch held a Khatam al-Quran at the residence of Dyg Halimah bte Abd Latif. Attending the event were members of the Women Institute Tutong branch and the president of the Institute, Dyg...

ABDB Training Institute officers visit Maraburong Prison.
September 30, 2008... Twenty-two senior officers and other members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Training Institute, led by Major Awang Ibrahim bin Tuah, visited the Maraburong Prison. Upon arrival, the visitors were briefed on the functions and roles of the...

70 RBPF personnel promoted.
September 30, 2008... Seventy police personnel yesterday received official letters of promotion during a ceremony held at the Royal Brunei Police Training Centre. In his speech, Acting ACP Hj Majid bin Hj Awang Damit, the RBPF Acting Director of General...

JPMC CVL Laboratory victorious in decor competition.
September 30, 2008... Gleneagles JPMC Cardiac Centre personnel demonstrated that their creative prowess is just as sharp as their life-saving skills at its Hari Raya decoration competition yesterday. In its second year, the competition involved all nine...

What it should have been.
September 30, 2008... In our news item "Pancur Murai Mosque holds Khatam al-Quran" published yesterday, the guest of honour was Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Ishaaq bin Hj Abdullah and not as stated. The error...

Lord Mayor of London to visit Brunei.
September 30, 2008... The Right Honourable Alderman David Lewis, the current Lord Mayor of London, will be in Brunei for a three-day official visit starting October 11, 2008. The Lord Mayor will be accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Theresa Lewis, and members...

Ferry operation hours extended.
September 30, 2008... The ferry operation hours at Kampung Ujong Jalan Sungai Pendaruan Temburong-Limbang has been extended until 12 midnight daily from yesterday (September 29) and will last until October 5 or 6, depending on the sighting of the new moon for Hari...

Farewell and welcome reception.
September 30, 2008... A reception to bid farewell to Minister-Counsellor of the Japanese Embassy to Brunei Darussalam Mr Masashi Kono and to welcome his successor Mr Masahar Sato was held yesterday at the residence of Mr Hashimoto Itsuo, Ambassador of Japan to...

Slight haze but air quality still good.
September 30, 2008... Brunei was shrouded in a slight haze yesterday but the air quality was good. The Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation said yesterday that the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported that there were isolated hotspots...

Canned Mr Brown coffee safe for consumption says distributor.
September 30, 2008... As the ubiquitous 'Made in China' brand has become taboo worldwide, consumers are becoming increasingly anxious as uncertainty remains with many products still remaining on the shelves. In the latest FDA (US Food and Drug Administration)...

Three Vitasoy products withdrawn but other products safe to drink.
September 30, 2008... In response to the Ministry of Health's advice on diary products from China, Ying Bee Company located in Menglait has withdrawn three Vitasoy products and clarified that other Vitasoy products are safe to consume. The clarification came...

Illegal billboards brought down.
September 29, 2008... More than one hundred illegal signboards and billboards along Jln Gadong were brought down by the Enforcement unit of the BSB Municipal board in a massive operation Saturday night. Fifteen personnel from the Enforcement unit and Support...

Home sweet home for Raya.
September 29, 2008... Over the last few days, the Brunei International Airport has seen dozens of Brunei students studying overseas returning home in time to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with their families. Brunei students studying in neighbouring Malaysia...

Seri Kandi hands over business tithe.
September 29, 2008... Under Islamic rules, private business establishments, cooperatives and associations are obligated to pay their business tithe accordingly. Giving 'zakat' or 'tithe' is an obligatory act ordained by Allah SWT to be performed by every...

Kids, DJ whip up a treat at OGDC.
September 29, 2008... The Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC) in Seria yesterday concluded its Kitchen Science Workshop with participants learning how to master the art of making a delicious strawberry shake. The 24 young participants and Pelangi FM DJ Zack had...

NBT lights up town with its Raya shower of neon and joy.
September 29, 2008... Spirits continue to soar higher as wallets grow thinner with each passing day as Hari Raya looms closer and closer and a shopping frenzy has set in causing a domestic panic for many of those who are not quite ready for the weeks-long joyous...

Road users urged to drive safely especially during Raya festivity.
September 29, 2008... An accident occurred along Jalan Tengah across the BSP Residential area in Panaga, Seria on Saturday leaving one of the passengers with an injured neck and one of the drivers trapped in his vehicle after driving into a tree by the roadside...

Cocoa Cafe offers scrumptious Sungkai promotion.
September 29, 2008... The Cocoa Cafe and Restaurant is offering an enticing sungkai buffet promotion, which comprises 10 different main courses, desserts, soup, drinks and fruit pallet. The dishes are made using Indonesian and Chinese cooking methods. The...

Religious activities for divine blessings.
September 29, 2008... The Takmir Committee of Masjid Kg Pintu Malim held a ceremony yesterday to glorify the fasting month of Ramadhan and performed religious activities to seek divine blessings. Held at the Masjid Kg Pintu Malim in the Brunei-Muara District, a...

Prayers for dearly departed.
September 29, 2008... Towards the end of Ramadhan and early Syawal (Hari Raya), the Islamic community of Brunei will be doing last minute shopping for Hari Raya and visiting the Islamic cemeteries. Muslims, prior to or on Hari Raya itself, pay respect and...

Where quality is high and designs vary.
September 29, 2008... Firoz Jaya Silkhouse is one of the leading textile stores in Brunei offering great prices for silk and cotton materials, silk scarves, 'sinjangs' and other products. The products at Firoz Jaya are imported all the way from Italy,...

Gemilang Association of Tutong marks 4th anniversary.
September 29, 2008... In conjunction with the fourth anniversary of the Gemilang Association of Tutong District, a recital of surah yassin, tahlil and doa Kesyukuran was held yesterday at the Seri Kenangan Hall, Community Hall Complex, Tutong. The guest of...

Peace monitors return from Mindanao.
September 29, 2008... After carrying out their duties in Mindanao, Philippines for the past one year, six members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, who represented the Sultanate's participation in the International Monitoring Team (IMT), returned home safely...

Pancur Murai Mosque holds khatam al-Quran.
September 29, 2008... The village council and committee members of Pancur Murai Mosque held a Khatam al-Quran and the breaking of fast yesterday at the mosque. The guest of honour was Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dato Paduka Awang...

3-in-1 event at Kg Mulaut Mosque.
September 29, 2008... The takmir committee members of Kg Mulaut Mosque yesterday held a three-in-one event - a tahlil, breaking of fast and khatam al-Quran - at the mosque. Present at the event were the residents of the village and organising committee members. It...

European universities provide excellent opportunities for locals.
September 29, 2008... HRD Services Global Education Link was recently invited to participate in the ICEF Higher Education Workshop held in Antwerp, Belgium. ICEF workshops form a platform that connects educators and student recruitment agents to key markets and...

Children celebrate Hari Raya with new hairdo.
September 29, 2008... Muslims all over the world will be celebrating Hari Raya very soon. Everyone wants to look fresh and beautiful during the celebration and children are no exception. Parents are busy buying shoes, clothes, biscuits and cakes. Children are also...

Mothers busy baking cakes as Hari Raya approaches.
September 29, 2008... With only a few more days left before the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, people especially mothers are busy baking cakes as well as buying ready-made cakes sold at the Ramadhan stalls. Local favourites such as the 'kueh mor' and...

Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports holds Khatam al-Quran.
September 29, 2008... Officers and staff at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports recently held a Khatam al-Quran at its premises. The event was organised by the administrative section in conjunction with the holy month of Ramadhan. Also present was Dato...

Bolkiah A elects new ketua kampong.
September 29, 2008... Kampong Bolkiah A in Mukim Sungai Kebun yesterday held an election for the village's new ketua kampong at the Yayasan Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque compound of Mukim Sg Kebun. Present at the election were the Brunei-Muara District Officer,...

Six local companies fined $22,950 in total.
September 29, 2008... In the month of Sept 2008, six local companies were brought before the Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Belait Magistrate's Court for contravention of Section 78(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act (CAP 35), stated a press release from the Attorney...

Foreign nationals detained in Ops Pintas.
September 29, 2008... Twenty-five Enforcement Officers from the Immigration Department targeted Kg Mentiri, Kg Subok and Jalan Roberts recently in an Ops Pintas 147/2008 between the hours of 10pm and 3am. Eleven foreign nationals were issued summons, three of...

PWM members donate blood.
September 29, 2008... The Persatuan Warganegara Malaysia held a blood donation campaign at their Secretariat Office located at Sunlit Advertising in the Beribi Industrial Estate. Over 50 members turned up to participate in the campaign and PWM's Deputy...

Jerudong prison holds tedarus, khatam for 50 inmates.
September 29, 2008... The Jerudong prison institution yesterday organised a tedarus and khatam al-Quran ceremony for 50 inmates at its Religious Hall. Twenty-five of the inmates took part in the khatam, while the other 25 were involved in the tedarus. Since...

Local artists to showcase talents in Malaysia.
September 29, 2008... Fifteen local artists are set to display their artwork for the first time in the upcoming contemporary painting exhibition at the art station of Penang, West Malaysia. It will also be the first time a large contingent of local artists...

Fostering ties ahead of Raya.
September 29, 2008... Officers and staff of the Public Relations Department, Jerudong Prison recently joined a sungkai get-together at Khaz Corner, Sengkurong. The event was organised by the department's head Superintendent Haji Mohd Sigie Al-Islam bin Uja....

All roads leading to Raya.
September 28, 2008... With Hari Raya just around the corner, the early evening and weekend traffic jams compound the excitement everywhere as shoppers clamour to department stores and shopping complexes around the country. As early as 7pm, cars...

Watch on garbage disposal.
September 28, 2008... With all means and approaches to keep Brunei's environment clean and healthy during the festive season of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the Department of Environment, Park and Recreation urged members of the public to work together in taking care of...

Crown Prince leaves New York.
September 28, 2008... His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah yesterday left New York after attending the...

Tudong Saji stage goes up in flames.
September 28, 2008... The newly-constructed stage building at Tudong Saji in Kuala Belait used as a live performance during His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 62nd birthday celebration had burst up in flames recently. The blaze...

Tutong District's Orphan Welfare Fund receives generous boost.
September 28, 2008... The Tutong District's Orphan Welfare Fund received a financial boost when 22 generous individuals and private companies came forward to donate to the fund yesterday. Present to receive the donations was Awang Hj Muhammad Suffian bin Hj...

All in the mood for Hari Raya.
September 28, 2008... In less than a week before the Hari Raya celebration, a number of government servants in the country are seen rejoicing the celebration mood by decorating the interiors of the government buildings with colourful neon lights, which are locally...

Library operating hours.
September 28, 2008... The Malay and Language Literature Bureau would like to inform the public of its operational hours. If the Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on Wednesday, Oct 1, their services will resume on Saturday, Oct 4 from 8am to 4.30pm. However, if Hari...

Efficient Kopri staff rewarded with hampers.
September 28, 2008... Sixty competent security personnel and staff of Koperasi Rimbun Berhad (KOPRI) received Hari Raya hampers from the establishment yesterday morning as a token of appreciation for their good work, which has helped the establishment to progress...

Generate society spreads festive cheer.
September 28, 2008... The 'Generate Society' for professional graduates in BSP, BLNG and BSM yesterday made contributions to orphans at Anthony Abell College in Seria. A total sum of $1,600 collected from association members and personnel of various...

Khatam al-Quran at Kg Pasai.
September 28, 2008... The Kg Sengkurong 'A' Consultative Council yesterday held a ceremony to mark the completion of the recitation of the Quran for the holy month of Ramadhan. The Khatam al-Quran was held at the Kg Pasai residence of Hj Noordin bin Hj Kasah...

BIBD holds zakat, tithe presentation.
September 28, 2008... Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Berhad (BIBD) yesterday held a zakat and tithe presentation ceremony at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Minister of Development cum BIBD Chairman Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj...

Where do you draw the line?
September 28, 2008... Civil servants are reminded not to seek private contributions, gifts or any kind of sponsorships when they organise Hari Raya functions or festivities at their departments, especially from individuals or companies that these public servants...

More sign up for Quranic Guidance Programme.
September 28, 2008... A group of officers from various government departments yesterday participated in the Quranic Guidance Programme organised by the Civil Service Institute. The event featured two-invited speakers, and included a recital of a selected...

Religious Affairs Ministry holds Sungkai for all.
September 28, 2008... The Ministry of Religious Affairs yesterday held a sungkai ceremony at Rizqun International Hotel for personnel from various ministries who were involved in national-level Islamic celebrations and other activities. Among those in...

Donations to orphans at Fire & Rescue Dept.
September 28, 2008... Forty-five orphans of the Fire and Rescue Department yesterday received donations during the closing ceremony of Tedarus (Khatam Al-Quran) at the department's headquarters in Berakas. Present as the chief guest was Fire and Rescue...

24 RBAF personnel join self-building programme.
September 28, 2008... Twenty-four personnel at the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) recently attended a programme on self-building, "Program Syifa ul Insan", for officers and personnel of RBAF. The four-day programme, which ran from September 23-26, was aimed...

UK journalists in Brunei.
September 28, 2008... Three journalists from the United Kingdom arrived in the country yesterday for a familiarisation trip, organised by Royal Brunei Airlines. Journalists Marianne Power (Daily Mail), Tina Walsh (freelance), and Joana Wilsher (Sunday Times) were...

Crown Prince leaves New York.
September 28, 2008... His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, accompanied by HRH Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah yesterday left New York after attending the 63rd...

China list gets longer.
September 28, 2008... The Ministry of Health has updated the list of tainted milk products from China that the public should be wary of. The 18 new additions to the banned list are: Malted Soya Bean Milk, Toffee Mix (Mixed Fruit), Assorted Chocolate, Disney...

Locked up for offering $50 bribe.
September 28, 2008... Two Filipino nationals - Cesar Buayaban Arrabis and Edna Meca Villacruses - were brought before the Magistrate's Court in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday for an offence under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Chapter 131). The...

Fuel smuggler slapped with $12,000 fine.
September 28, 2008... A 21-year-old Malaysian who attempted to smuggle more than 200 litres of diesel out of the country was slapped with a $12,000 fine by the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate's Court yesterday. Lau Lik Won, an aluminium maker from Sibu, pleaded...

Nightclub manager thrown behind bars.
September 28, 2008... A 25-year-old Malaysian nightclub manager who entered Brunei illegally and had in his possession undeclared liquor was slapped with a $10,000 fine, and sentenced to three months behind bars and four strokes of the cane yesterday. The...

Home Affairs Ministry holds Khatam al-Quran.
September 28, 2008... The Ministry of Home Affairs organised a 'khatam al-Quran' for its officers and staff yesterday. The Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri...

Gifts can put civil servants in the shade.
September 28, 2008... The Anti Corruption Bureau has warned members of the public, particularly public servants, not to be engaged in any form of activities that may call their integrity or ethics into question. Speaking to the media yesterday in a press...

Brunei pledges full support to the UN.
September 27, 2008... His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office addressed the United Nations General Assembly, Thursday afternoon, during the General Debate held at the United Nations...

Bulletin journalist to join US programme.
September 27, 2008... Borneo Bulletin journalist, Azaraimy bin Hj Hasib, will be participating in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) and also will be attending the Edward R Murrow Programme for journalists in the United States. ...

Special prayers to mark mosque's Golden Jubilee.
September 27, 2008... A Khatam al-Quran was held at Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque last night to mark the mosque's Golden Jubilee. Photo shows High Committee members of the Golden Jubilee celebration and the guest of honour (5th from left), Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma...

Handover, takeover parade for RBLF's Battalion Commanding Officers.
September 27, 2008... A handover and takeover parade for the Battalion Commanding Officers of the Royal Brunei Land Forces was held yesterday at the Tutong Camp. During the ceremony, certificates were signed between the relinquishing and the incumbent commanding...

20 lucky winners of cash prizes in DST promotion.
September 27, 2008... Twenty lucky subscribers of DSTCom's 3G Prima and 3G Broadband as well as Prepaid Go! Broadband and Easi 3G Mobile have won cash prizes for the month of Aug 2008. The ongoing promotional campaign, Go! Broadband, Log on and Drive Away,...

TelBru's Twister Road Show at Q-Lap Mall.
September 27, 2008... Members of the public can sign up for a e-speed connection or OMNI for as low as $68 per month and get a free router as well as enjoy the first month of subscription for free in the Twister Road Show organised by TelBru at the Q-Lap Mall that...

Kg Kulapis CC brings joy to orphans, senior citizens.
September 27, 2008... The Consultative Committee (CC) of Kampong Kulapis yesterday held a donation presentation for orphans at the village and a sungkai event with the village's senior citizens at Hj Ismi bin Hamid's residence in Kampong Kulapis. Attending...