✰ Brunei Darussalam ~ NEWS & HILITES ✰

TheHawk

Police Appeal For Help To Find Girl
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Royal Brunei Police Force is seeking help from the public to locate a missing 14-year-old local girl.

Norsyairah bte Abd Samad failed to return home to her flat in Sinarubai on November 10, 2007. The medium build girl was last seen wearing a blue-red striped T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone who has information on her whereabouts is urged to call the District Crime Officer of the Brunei District Police at 2242334 ext 132,148, 142 or hotline 993 or the nearest police station. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Tree Planting At Bukit Shahbandar
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - A hundred CitiBank (Brunei) staff with family members and students of International School Brunei yesterday planted 1,000 seedlings on Bukit Shahbandar, Jerudong, to support the Heart of Borneo Project.

The guest of honour was Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Awang Ahmad bin Haji Jumat, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources.

Also present were Dato Paduka Haji Hamdilah Bin Haji Abdul Wahab, MIPR Deputy Minister, and Dato Paduka Awg Hj Mohd Hamid bin Haji Mohd Jaafar, MIPR permanent secretary.

A $10,000 donation for the Heart of Borneo Project was presented to the MIPR minister during the tree planting organised by Citibank (Brunei) in collaboration with the Forestry Department, MIPR.

"Global community Day is an annual initiative that celebrates what we do to make a difference in our communities each and every day," said Citibank Brunei's Director and Citi Country Officer Glen Rase.

"Today, company employees along with their families and friends come along as a global volunteer team, working in North America, Asia, Latin America, Europe, the, Middle East and Africa on a variety projects addressing specific community needs, including literacy, housing, environmental, protection, nutrition and health care.

"Citi is committed to mobilising the enthusiasm and talents of our employees so that they can make a positive difference in the communities where we live and work.

"Citi's global Community Day symbolises the many ways we make a difference through our business practices, our philosophy and our volunteerism.

"Citi Brunei chooses this event (planting of 1,000 seedlings in support of Heart of Borneo Project) because we believe in our local community and know that when we partner with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources in support of the Heart of Borneo Project, we can make a difference," he said.

With the assistance of forestry department personnel, kids and adults alike got their hands dirty in planting the seedlings for a good cause. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Tree Planting At Bukit Shahbandar
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - A hundred CitiBank (Brunei) staff with family members and students of International School Brunei yesterday planted 1,000 seedlings on Bukit Shahbandar, Jerudong, to support the Heart of Borneo Project.

The guest of honour was Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Awang Ahmad bin Haji Jumat, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources.

Also present were Dato Paduka Haji Hamdilah Bin Haji Abdul Wahab, MIPR Deputy Minister, and Dato Paduka Awg Hj Mohd Hamid bin Haji Mohd Jaafar, MIPR permanent secretary.

A $10,000 donation for the Heart of Borneo Project was presented to the MIPR minister during the tree planting organised by Citibank (Brunei) in collaboration with the Forestry Department, MIPR.

"Global community Day is an annual initiative that celebrates what we do to make a difference in our communities each and every day," said Citibank Brunei's Director and Citi Country Officer Glen Rase.

"Today, company employees along with their families and friends come along as a global volunteer team, working in North America, Asia, Latin America, Europe, the, Middle East and Africa on a variety projects addressing specific community needs, including literacy, housing, environmental, protection, nutrition and health care.

"Citi is committed to mobilising the enthusiasm and talents of our employees so that they can make a positive difference in the communities where we live and work.

"Citi's global Community Day symbolises the many ways we make a difference through our business practices, our philosophy and our volunteerism.

"Citi Brunei chooses this event (planting of 1,000 seedlings in support of Heart of Borneo Project) because we believe in our local community and know that when we partner with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources in support of the Heart of Borneo Project, we can make a difference," he said.

With the assistance of forestry department personnel, kids and adults alike got their hands dirty in planting the seedlings for a good cause. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Her Majesty Grants Audiences
By Aemy Azlena

Bandar Seri Begawan - Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha consented to receive in audience a number of visitors yesterday afternoon at the lstana Nurul Iman.

Her Majesty first met with Datin Claudel Elizabeth Kuek, the wife of Lieutenant General Dato Paduka Seri Desmond Kuek Bak Chye, the Chief Defence Forces of the Republic of Singapore.

Her Majesty then consented to receive in audience three ambassadors to friendly nations; Magdalene Teo Chee Siong, Brunei's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China; Hjh Aisah Hj Mohd Hussain, the wife of HajiAbdul Ghafar bin Haji Ismail, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of Singapore; and Hjh Daniar Hj Abdullah, the wife of Pengiran Haji Alihashim bin Pengiran Haji Yussof, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Belgium. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Economic & 慓reen

TheHawk

Brunei Moving On Forest Conservation
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Primary Resources (MIPR) is moving forward in safeguarding Brunei's tropical forest for future generations, following the implementation of policies in conservation.

Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Dr. Haji Awang Ahmad bin Haji Jumat outlined some of the policies implemented in protecting the natural tropical forest during a tree-planting event in support of Brunei's Heart of Borneo project for Citi's second Global Community Day yesterday. The minister said: "As we understand, Brunei Darussalam has implemented the '1 tree felled plant 4' policy by the Forestry Department since 1993. The policy served as a short term strategy to restore and conserve forest, which has yielded positive result."

He added, "The policy on limiting forest products quota to 100,000 cubic meters has successful reduced uncontrolled logging activities. According to last year's statistics, Brunei recorded a fall of 2pc or some $2 million in the gross output for primary forest sector as compared with 2002. The figures show a decrease from $28.7 million in year 2002 to $26.7 million in year 2006.

"The ministry (MIPR) in its long-term strategic plan will be pushing to gross output with the average value of $27 million per year from the forest primary sector."

The minister highlighted: "Forest is among the country's precious natural assets and it play an important role in a balanced ecosystem. The bio diversification of forests can also raise the harmony of living in the country."

Speaking of the economic opportunities from the forests, he said, "Vast opportunities can be opened up, based on the richness of forest biodiversity, for example non timber forest product which is in line with the development of bio product industry like medicinal, herbal, and cosmetic.

He added, "Eco and nature tourism can also be a main sector filled with potential to be developed based on the wealth of forest bio-diversification. And this is a message for all local entrepreneurs to be actively involved in the forest sector.

"As a catalyst towards non timber forest product, the ministry is currently implementing another project `Tropical Biodiversity Centre' which was launched on March 21, 2007 on World Forestry Day," he said. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Appeals Court Quashes Sentence Due To Excessive Delay In Court Proceeding
By Rol Ezam

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Appeals Court quashed the original sentence of eight years in jail and seven strokes of the cane imposed against a drug convict, and substituted it with six years and six months in jail and five strokes of the cane, after finding an excessive delay in bringing the appellant's case to justice.

The 'appellant, Ridzwan bin Haji Mansor, was represented by Mohd Shazale Haji Mat Salleh of Messrs.

Ridzwan was sentenced to eight years in jail and seven strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to one amended charge ofbeing in possession of 20 grammes of methylamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.

Mohd Shazale submitted that the sentence was manifestly severe on four grounds: not sufficient discount was given for the plea; the judge failed to take into account the excessive delay from arrest to trial; the judge gave insufficient weight to the appellant's previous character; and no deduction was given for the 30 days the appellant was on remand.

There was considerable delay in bringing the case to trial. The first appearance in the High Court to record the pleas was on March 11, 2004, 14 months after the arrest. On that occasion, the trial was set for November 22, 2004, and in November 2004, the trial judge was unable to sit, thus the trial was re-scheduled for April 2005.

Thereafter, between April 14, 2005 and April 26, 2007, on seven occasions the trial was adjourned and re-fixed. Finally, on April 26, 2007, the trial was set for May 8, 2007, when the prosecution dropped all charges save the one to which the appellant pleaded guilty.

"Accordingly, the judge ought to have given some weight to the delay and more weight to the pleas. There is nothing in the point that he ought to have given more weight to his clean record, but it is usual to order that a period in custody on remand should count towards the sentence passed," said the Court of Appeal judge.

He also said, "Taking all these matters into account, we conclude that the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive. In these circumstances, we allow the appeal, quash the sentence and substitute a sentence of six years and six months imprisonment, together with five strokes of the cane. The 30 days on remand will count towards the sentence." -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

2 Arrested, Illegal Items Seized
By Jon Tampoi

Bandar Seri Begawan - A big haul of pirated VCDs and illegal items including firecrackers and liquor, were seized in a raid in Kampong Selayun, Mukim Sengkurong, early yesterday morning.

Two foreigners were remanded at the Sengkurong police station for further investigation.

The VCDs, including pornographic ones, were meant to be supplied to shops nationwide, it was learned.

All items were confiscated and brought to the Sengkurong Police Station. Eighteen officers from the Police CID of Jerudong, the Immigration Department, the Royal Customs and Excise and the Religious Enforcement raided a bungalow in Mukim Sengkurong late Saturday night that lasted until 2.30am yesterday. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Brunei Sees Biggest Spike In HIV/AIDS Cases
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The number of HIV/AIDS cases in Brunei has seen the biggest surge so far with six new cases recorded in the first five months of this year.

"This is a worrying issue as the numbers are increasing. However, it is still a taboo in terms of it being made public but we cannot hide it anymore and we have to come out in the open and say that HIV/AIDS cases are rising.

"We have to make efforts to highlight this matter so that the public can take steps too," said the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, in a brief interview yesterday on the sidelines of a forum.

When asked whether the ministry has plans to join forces with the Ministry of Education in tackling the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases, the minister said, "At the moment, school students are only being briefed on the dangers of HIV/AIDS. However, the issue of whether it (HIV/AIDS awareness) can be included in the school curriculum is something to think about."

On the final day of the health convention at the ICC, a forum on HIV/AIDS was presented by Iswandy Ahmad, the Commonwealth Youth Ambassador for Positive Living (CYAPL).

He said as of June 16, 2007 Brunei has recorded 36 local cases of HIV/AIDS and 19 have died so far. Six of these 36 cases were found this year making it the highest surge ever.

The total number of people living with HIV in 2006 globally stood at 37.2 million adults including 17.7 million women. The number of infected children under 15 years old stood at 2.3 million adding up to a total of 39.5 million.

People newly infected with HIV in 2006 stood at 4.3 million

TheHawk

Brunei Sees Biggest Spike In HIV/AIDS Cases
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The number of HIV/AIDS cases in Brunei has seen the biggest surge so far with six new cases recorded in the first five months of this year.

"This is a worrying issue as the numbers are increasing. However, it is still a taboo in terms of it being made public but we cannot hide it anymore and we have to come out in the open and say that HIV/AIDS cases are rising.

"We have to make efforts to highlight this matter so that the public can take steps too," said the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, in a brief interview yesterday on the sidelines of a forum.

When asked whether the ministry has plans to join forces with the Ministry of Education in tackling the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases, the minister said, "At the moment, school students are only being briefed on the dangers of HIV/AIDS. However, the issue of whether it (HIV/AIDS awareness) can be included in the school curriculum is something to think about."

On the final day of the health convention at the ICC, a forum on HIV/AIDS was presented by Iswandy Ahmad, the Commonwealth Youth Ambassador for Positive Living (CYAPL).

He said as of June 16, 2007 Brunei has recorded 36 local cases of HIV/AIDS and 19 have died so far. Six of these 36 cases were found this year making it the highest surge ever.

The total number of people living with HIV in 2006 globally stood at 37.2 million adults including 17.7 million women. The number of infected children under 15 years old stood at 2.3 million adding up to a total of 39.5 million.

People newly infected with HIV in 2006 stood at 4.3 million

TheHawk

His Majesty To Share Bimp-Eaga Summit
By Azlan Othman in Singapore

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam arrived in Singapore yesterday afternoon to attend the 13th Asean Summit.

Accompanying His Majesty are Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar binti Hakim Mazhar. On arrival at the Changi International Airport, Their Majesties and Her Royal Highness were greeted by Ng Eng Hen, Singapore's Minister of Manpower and Second Minister of Defence, and several senior officials of the Singapore government.

Also present at the airport were Pehin Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Brunei's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; and officials of the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam in Singapore.

The 13th Asean Summit is scheduled to start Tuesday and will be attended by Asean Heads of State and Government.

It will be followed by Summits of Asean + 3, Asean + China, Asean + Japan, Asean + Republic of Korea, Asean + India, the third East Asia Summit (EAS) and the Asean + European Union Commemorative Summit. Today, the Brunei Darussal am-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines-East Asean Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga) Summit will be held. His Majesty is expected to chair the summit.

The theme of this year's Asean Summit is "Environment, Energy, Climate Change, and Sustainable Development". The leaders will have the opportunity to discuss Asean's cooperation and its future direction as well as exchange views on regional and international concerns.

The Asean leaders are expected to sign a number of key documents relating to developments in the region and the theme of this year's summit.

The third EAS will bring together leaders of Asean member countries, Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand for discussions of mutual interests.

The leaders will sign the Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment.

His Majesty will join other Asean leaders for an informal working dinner this evening, while Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Yeo will also host a dinner for Asean's foreign ministers.

This morning, the Asean Charter will be presented to the foreign ministers by members of the high level task force. There will also be informal consultations of the Asean Economic Ministers and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (AEM-METI Consultations).

Meanwhile, Bruneian officials joined their Asean counterparts in the Asean Standing Committee Preparatory meeting at Shangri-La Hotel yesterday.

This year's summit coincides with a significant milestone in Asean's development, its 40th anniversary. Singapore will also host the Asean -EU Commemorative Summit on November 22.

On Tuesday, leaders will sign the Asean Charter, which will transform the 10-country grouping into a more effectie and rules-based organisation, as well as pave the way for closer integration.

The leaders will also be endorsing the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint, which will help chart concrete targets for establishing a single market and production base in the region by 2015.

In addition, the leaders will sign the Asean Declaration on Environment Sustainability, which will address the need to protect the environment, respond to climate change and conserve natural resources.

The Asean leaders will also meet with their respective counterparts from China, Japan, Republic of Korea in the Asean + 3 meeting Tuesday, where they will issue the 2'd Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of relations.

The leaders will also meet Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and Republic of Korea at the 3rd East Asia Summit (EAS) November 21.

The EAS leaders will issue a Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment.

On November 22, the Asean-EU Commemorative Summit marking the 30th anniversary of Asean-EU relations will also be held. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Diners Get To Set Price
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Restoran Seri Madu in Menglait has come up with an uncommon offer: It lets diners set the price for their meals.

The eatery offers `halal' vegetarian dishes, including rice and drinks at prices to be decided by the customers themselves.

Opening its doors to the public last week, the restaurant has no cashier. Instead, a box is in place for customers to drop money in for the food and drinks they have consumed.

"We have been instructed not to force diners if they don't drop money into the box. However, no customer has left the place without paying," said a waitress. Large crowds typically make their way to the eatery around lunch or dinner time. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Diners Get To Set Price
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Restoran Seri Madu in Menglait has come up with an uncommon offer: It lets diners set the price for their meals.

The eatery offers `halal' vegetarian dishes, including rice and drinks at prices to be decided by the customers themselves.

Opening its doors to the public last week, the restaurant has no cashier. Instead, a box is in place for customers to drop money in for the food and drinks they have consumed.

"We have been instructed not to force diners if they don't drop money into the box. However, no customer has left the place without paying," said a waitress. Large crowds typically make their way to the eatery around lunch or dinner time. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Canadian Seafood Promo Launched At Sheraton
By Sonia K

Bandar Seri Begawan - A Month-Long Canadian Seafood Promotion was launched at the Sheraton Utama Hotel yesterday by the guest of honour, Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Hamid bin Haji Jaafar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. The seafood promotion will be available at Deals, Sheraton's signature restaurant.

The High Commissioner of Canada to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Leopold Battel said that the three components of Canada's seafood industry - wild fishery, aquaculture and seafood processing - remain vital to British Columbia, the Atlantic Provinces and to Canada as a whole.

Canadian seafood is exported to all over the world and the volume of these exports puts the country among the world's top five producers. Of the economically important species, lobster comprises 25 per cent of Canadian exports, crab 15 per cent, shrimp 11 per cent and salmon 12 per cent, with the balance in other assorted species. Wild capture accounts for 76 per cent of total production and the remainder come from aquaculture, Mr Battel said.

Canada's fish and seafood sector has earned a reputation for its superior quality owing to its dedication to the quality management, innovation and sustainable management of the fishery resource. Bounded by the Pacific, Atlantic and Artie oceans, and dotted with plentiful freshwater lakes, Canada supports more than 160 species of fish and seafood.

The promotion will feature a variety of Canadian seafood favourites and specialties, such as lobsters, snow crab, oysters and salmon. The hotel's culinary experts can ensure diners the very best of Canadian seafood that's cooked to perfection with products imported by TGT Sdn Bhd.

The Canadian Seafood promotion is supported and sponsored by the Canadian High Commission, Agriculture and Agri food Canada, TGT Sdn Bhd and Sheraton Utama Hotel. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

GKS Scholarship 2008
By Sonia K

Bandar Seri Begawan - Applications for the Dr Gob Keng Swee (GKS) Scholarship 2008 are now open. The scholarship has been set up by a Singapore financial community and is administered by the Association of Banks in Singapore.

According to a press release from the Singapore High Commission, about three to four scholarships are annually awarded to outstanding individuals from selected countries in the Asia-Pacific-region to pursue undergraduate studies in Singapore Universities. The GKS Scholarship is open to citizens of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Lao PDR, India, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.

The scholarship is tenable for undergraduate studies in Singapore commencing in July/August 2008. The course of study should preferably be (but not necessarily) relevant to the financial sector. All courses will be conducted in English.

The scholarship includes tuition and other compulsory fees, economy air passage as well as an annual maintenance allowance. There is a three-year bond upon completion of studies.

Application forms and details on the scholarship can be obtained from the Singapore High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan or at www.psc.gov.sg.

The deadline for all applications is December 31, 2007. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Theft Cases Keep Law Enforcers Busy
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - One case of a car break-in and theft which saw the loss of a laptop and private documents; and one case of a missing silver Mitsubishi Pajero bearing the registration number KM 6429.

These were among the cases reported in the past three days to the Royal Brunei Police Force.

Police urged anyone who has seen the missing vehicle to report the matter to the nearest police station or contact the hotline 993.

Meanwhile, four cases of theft occurred in different locations at Kg Belingus, Temburong, Kg Madang, Kg Lambak B and a staff house at Lumut Kuala Belait. The items reported missing were an eight-horsepower boat engine and cash amounting to $1,700.

Thirteen cases of theft at buildings were reported throughout the country. Among the items reported missing were a Canon digital camera, four laptops, important documents, a 40-metre cable, six hand phones, jewellery, three cylinders of gas, an air-conditioner, cash totalling $4,560, a Rolex watch, EAST cards valued at $2,000 and a generator.

A 40-year-old man was detained in connection with one of the theft cases.

In two other theft cases, police detained two male suspects in their 20s.

Meanwhile, a breach of trust case was reported and a woman was identified as a suspect in the case.

A false statement case was also reported with a male suspect identified in the case.

Three cases of fraud were also reported with a woman suspected to be involved in the cases.

A case of a break-in and seven cases of causing harm were also reported allegedly involving a male suspect.

Meanwhile, there were two cases of vandalism allegedly involving a male suspect.

Other offences were a case under the Fisheries Act; two cases under the Labour Act, three cases under the Customs Act allegedly involving eight male and two female suspects; and six cases under the Drug Abuse Act in which five men were detained on suspicion of involvement in the cases.

Meanwhile, in the past three days, 19 accidents were recorded - 13 in Brunei Muara, four in Belait, two in Tutong whilst none were reported in Temburong.

Out of those accidents, 11 involved accidents between cars, seven were self accidents and one involved a car and a pedestrian, which resulted in a person suffering major injuries. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Vegetable Producers Still Fuming At Kg Selayun Market
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The problems affecting the wholesale market in Kg Selayun are jeopardising the income of the local vegetable producers to a point that the sales of their produce no longer have any "value" or "meaning".

This claim was made by Rosli Hj Jumaat, a vegetable producer and seller at the wholesale market.

Most the vegetable producers are having problems in marketing their produce due to the presence of too many "middleman" or "foreigners", whom he claimed are monopolising the 'wholesale market.

The vegetable producers are concerned as there is no control over the vegetable prices at the market, which he alleged was causing them to incur losses and discourage their agricultural efforts.

"We found out that the foreigners are allowed to operate a business there (the market) and they seem to be flourishing. The raids by the immigration authorities have not stopped them (foreign traders) from coming back," he claimed.

"There is no proper mechanism to control the vegetable prices, which resulted in the vegetable producers `depending' on the foreigners who make up 80 per cent of the sellers at the wholesale market," he added.

The local vegetable sellers are asking for a proper distribution centre to be set up and looked after by the government so that the prices can be controlled and not jeopardise the livelihoods of the farm producers.

They also called for the vegetable producers to be given the opportunity to be more involved in the marketing, packaging and distribution of the produce.

They claimed that the situation has caused dissatisfaction and frustration because of the alleged failure of those responsible for the wholesale market to control the foreigners who operate at the wholesale market. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

慞erfectly Constructed Road Does Not Guarantee No Deaths

TheHawk

WHO Keen To Learn About Brunei抯 Success In Health
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - Towards building outbreak communication capacity within countries in the Asean region to allow better communication across borders during an outbreak, some 48 delegates from 12 countries with another 30 observers from Brunei Darussalam are to attend the three-day WHO Regional Outbreak Communication Conference, which starts today.

The participating countries include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Vietnam. Also present are officials from WHO headquarters and other invited officials from US and Singapore.

Yesterday evening, an opening ceremony and welcoming dinner for the delegates of the conference was held at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

Dato Dr Tee Ah Sian, Director of Division in Combating Communicable Diseases, World Health Organisation, Western Pacific Regional Office, congratulated Brunei for achieving very high standard of health services in the country.

She highlighted one of the indicators is the reduction in infant immortality rate as Brunei has recorded 7.4 per 1,000 infants in 2005 compared with 150 per 1,000 in 1951. Another achievement is in life expectancy where Brunei has recorded a figure of 74.3 for inen and 77.3 for women in 2005 while the figure recorded 35 years ago was 62.

In terms of communicable diseases front, she said Brunei is free of malaria for the past two decade and Brunei has been putting in a lot of effort to prepare for other forms of diseases like HIV and Avian Influenza.

She said WHO would like to learn from Brunei and share the knowledge with other countries in the region.

Pekin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia 1-laji Suyoi Bin Elj Osman, the Minister of Health, speech said addressing threats to public health and security is not a new phenomenon. Events that have public health significance and occurrences of numerous outbreaks in past centuries had led to the initiation of many interventions including information and regulatory systems with the goal of containtnent and prevention of the spread of diseases.

Speaking of the changing global situation, providing opportunities for diseases to spread rapidly, the minister said, "The revision of the international health regulation in 2005 coming in force in June 2007 couldn't be more timely. Brunei concurs and commends WHO's efforts that had led to this revision and for WHO's continuing efforts in assisting and supporting member states in fulfilling the requirements of the regulation.

"We are particularly appreciative of the development of the Asia Pacific strategy on emerging diseases as a technical guiding tool which categorises five key areas of which risk communication is being one, thus enabling member states to plan and develop an approach to fulfilling the core capacity in a rational, systematic and etlective manner.

"Risk communication, the subject matter of this workshop and one of the core capacities required in the revised IHR 2005, is certainly an integral part in the prevention or mitigation of adverse human health outcomes following exposure to hazardous situations. Its role in protecting human health and determining the outcome is therefore critical both to individuals as well as communities collectively," the minister added. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Ministry Bans Five Traditional Medicines
By Azaraimy HH

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Health (MOH) has come forward quickly to advise the public against purchasing several traditional medicines following recalls made by drug authorities in neighbouring countries.

MOH announced that the following traditional medicines were being recalled by the drug control authorities in neighboring countries:

Xi Tong Wan Tablets (Zhen Feng Da Brand) manufactured by Anqing Huidafeng Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Anhui, China were found to contain Indomethacin;

Yin Qiao die Du Tablets (Wellbeing Brand) manufactured by Sichuan Medco Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd, China were found to contain Paracetamol of unknown strength;

Slenderine Curcuma Longae Concentrated Granules manufactured by Capital Group & Dadi Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (China) bearing batch number W060301 were found to contain mercury exceeding the permissible limit;

Natorny Kwek's Herb 106 Powder distributed by Natorny Marketing Asia Pte Ltd (Singapore) bearing batch number 106600603A; and

Chinese Herbal Heritage Herbal Slimming Tea manufactured by Kang Sheng Chinese Manufacturer (Singapore) bearing batch number 131703 was found to contain excessive level of Microbial Contamination.

In its press release, the MOH also stated that Indomethacin is a Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSA1D) used in relieving pain and inflammation and unsupervised ingestion may lead to hearing disturbance, shortness of breath, swelling of face or lower legs and blood disorder.

The MOH also said long term consumption of Paracetamol (used to relieve pain and fever) may cause rashes, lower blood pressure and blood disorders and in over-dosage, it may lead to kidney and liver damage.

Fluoxetine is an anti-depressant and unsupervised consumption may lead to increase in blood pressure, impaired concentration, confusion and sleep disturbance while mercury poisoning may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea and eventually leading to kidney damage.

There are no records of the import of these products into the country and the products were not found available for sale in the local market.

However, in the interest of public safety the Ministry of Health advised the public not to purchase or use any of these products.

The ministry also reminded the public that it is an offence to import, sell or offer for sale any product containing a substance controlled under the Poisons Act.

The penalty for such an offence, upon conviction, is a fine of $8,000 or imprisonment of six months.

People who have bought the affected products are advised to destroy or surrender them to the Pharmacy Enforcement Section, Block 2G, 8th Floor, BSB Health Centre in Jalan Ong Sum Ping, BSB. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin