✰ Brunei Darussalam ~ NEWS & HILITES ✰

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Brunei next big player in Islamic finance?



An eye for potential: The Chief Executive Officer of BMB, Dr Humayon Dar. Picture: Zamri Zainal


Hadthiah PD Hazair
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


Wednesday, December 19, 2007

BRUNEI has untapped potential to join the ranks of Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur in becoming an Islamic financial global player, especially for wealth management. "Our vision is to put Brunei on the map of Islamic Banking," the chief executive officer of BMB Islamic, Dr Humayon Dar spoke of the sultanate's potential.

BMB Islamic is owned by the prestigious BMB Group and offers a unique combination of cutting edge Syariah advisory services alongside the significant capital resources and distribution services of its affiliates.

"When you look at the amount of wealth (available )... Brunei can play a role in Islamic finance," the London-based CEO said, citing that they would like to play a lead role by first creating a greater demand for Islamic financial products in Brunei. However, for the time being, BMB Islamic would prefer to play an advisory role to local banks wishing to introduce new Islamic investment products to their clients.



Inspite of the lack of infrastructure in Brunei to support the quest to be in league with the big players in Islamic Banking, Dr Humayon is optimistic that once the relevant authorities realises the possibility in the sultanate then "things will move quickly in that direction".

"We are open to getting business from the local banks especially banks which are looking to source for Islamic investment products," Dr Humayon told The Brunei Times.

To propel their vision to demonstrate Brunei's huge potential, BMB Islamic will be holding a conference in May which will attract global players to have a dialogue with local authorities and financial institutions. "The idea is to bring global players in... and therefore leading to further development."

Once the necessary steps have been taken, BMB will then consider selling investment products in Brunei.

"We've not sold investment products in Brunei, promarily because our focus is in Dubai,"the BMB CEO said, explaining that they have already applied for a licence to start selling their products in Dubai by the first quarter of 2008.

However, Dr Humayon said they have future plans to start selling their investment products comprising mostly of hedge funds and real estates, to the Brunei market. "Once we've identified the relevant opportunities, we will then seek advice from our team of experts (to start selling)," he said.

BMB is one of the world leading Syariah-compliant financial institutions, focusing on Islamic investment management and financial advisory.

It has helped create Syariah compliant vehicles for many financial institutions worldwide, boasting Syariah scholars with a collective experience of sitting in 55 institution boards.

The Brunei Times

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Brunei, S'pore students end outward bound programme



Proud: Participants of the 17th Overseas Youth Programme show off their certificates. During the programme, participants took part in outward bound activities such as river kayaking, jungle trekking and camping. Picture: Zamri Zainal


Nurkhayrul Salam
BRUNEI-MUARA

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

TWELVE days of vigorous, challenging outward bound activities came to an end on Monday for 63 participants from Brunei Darussalam and Singapore with the closing and certificate presentation ceremony for the 17th Overseas Youth Programme.

Hajah Norlah Haji Yaakob, acting director of Youth and Sport Development at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, who presented the certificates, the youth programme, which has been ongoing since 1999, is a highlight of Brunei and Singapore's achievements in bilateral education programme.

"As the outward bound education process is always evolving to remain competitive in the rapidly changing world, I am confident that a programme like the Overseas Youth Programme would always remain relevant and critical towards the development of our youths," she said.

She also advised participants to utilise what they have learned from the programme in their everyday life.

She said that young people today are living in a world full of challenges, be it in schools, within peer groups and in the community.

With the world increasingly becoming borderless, wide open and competitive, she urged youth to compete within these phases of development as so not to be left behind.

However, she cautioned, they should not lose sight of their cultural, national identity and the fundamental values thought by their parents and elders.

The acting director noted that participants gave positive comments about their learning experience, and gained much from the various character-building and self-development activities carried out by the Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam (OBBD).

"These achievements are in line with the OBBD mission which is to help instilling, developing and strengthening the character values and personal traits of the youth through experiential learning and adventurous training in challenging and unfamiliar settings," she said.

The programme resulted from a memorandum of understanding signed between Brunei and Singapore to strengthen bonds between the two countries and to develop youth's mental, physical and personal values.

An on-going project between Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam and Outward Bound Singapore, its main aim lies in instilling in participants a spirit of teamwork, leadership qualities, self confidence and communication skills.

It also seeks to bring about a dramatic improvement in the manner in which they face any situation in life, while building long-lasting, personal relationships as a foundation for self-development.

The programme is portioned in three phases: the challenge and exploration phase, community work phase and cultural visit phase.

For 12 days under the Personal Challenges Course, the students participated in various challenging outward bound activities such as sea and river kayaking, jungle trekking, camping in the jungle and abseiling.

Most notably, they also had to go through the solo camp activity, where each student had to spend one night alone in the jungle with only a gallon of water as provision.

The activities took place at the Batang Duri Recreational Park in Temburong, Bukit Patoi Recreational Forest, Serasa and Pelumpong.

Brunei's representatives for this year's Overseas Youth Programmes were 32 students from various associations, such as the Girl Guides, Scouts, and the Red Cross as well as army, police and firefighter cadets.

Meanwhile, the 31 students from Singapore came from the National Cadet Corps and National Police Cadet Corps.

The Brunei Times

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M'sian firm eyes part in $3b PMB job

Izam Said Ya'akub
BRUNEI-MUARA

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

PULAU Muara Besar's development is taking another progressive step forward, with a Malaysian company on the verge of securing a portion of a construction deal as part of bigger plans to build an oil refinery for Brunei.

TRC Synergy Bhd (Malaysia), which has recently bought a 26 per cent stake in PetroBru Sdn Bhd, hopes to secure part of a construction deal, worth US$3 billion, for an oil refinery in the sultanate.

Reports from Malaysia stated that while the company would not be involved in the entire construction, it has expressed an interested in setting up farm tanks, said Chief Financial Officer Yeoh Sook Keng.

PetroBru (B) Sdn Bhd has been given the green light to conduct a feasibility study on the viability of building and operating a crude oil storage and refinery in the island off Brunei's bay.

It is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Brunei government soon, Yeoh said in an interview.

Pulau Muara Besar has been earmarked as Brunei's new deep-water hub for regional markets.

The planned refinery will have an initial capacity of 200,000 barrels a day, with maximum capacity of 500,000 barrels per day.

Meanwhile, the storage facility is expected to be capable of handling two million cubic metres with initial space of one million, he added.

TRC's Executive Director Datuk Abdul Aziz Mohamad said the company looks to benefit from spillover activities from the refinery, such as infrastructure and property development.

Abdul Aziz also indicated that the project will only start contributing revenue two years after construction works commence, and explained that the feasibility study would take six to eight months, followed by the engineering, procurement and construction work, which is expected to take another year.

The refinery will contribute revenue in five years' time when it commences production, he added.

"Construction will still be our main earnings contributor in the next two to three years but we can't rely on it. By then, PetroBru will see work in full swing," he said.

TRC does not intend to raise its stake in the holding company.

It might, however, set up a joint-venture company with PetroBru to secure the construction portion of the project, Abdul Aziz added.

According to the Oil and Gas Journal, as of January 2007, Brunei has 8,600 billion barrels per day of refining capacity at its current facility, which is operated by Brunei Shell Petroleum in Seria.

Industry insiders say that this refinery meets roughly a half of Brunei's domestic petroleum product needs.

In order to meet domestic demand, Brunei actually imports small amounts of petroleum products from neighbouring countries.

The planned refinery will be in an ideal spot as its strategic location positions itself near to China, Vietnam and the Middle East

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US seeks trade deal with Brunei, other Apec nations
WELLINGTON

Thursday, December 20, 2007

THE United States is exploring ways of forming a five-way free trade pact with Brunei, New Zealand, Singapore and Chile, New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff yesterday said.

Goff said the US was interested in expanding trade and economic links with the four countries, which are already joined in the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (P4) free trade deal.

US officials have held exploratory discussions with counterparts from P4 countries on a prospective deal, Goff told AFP.

Washington sees the P4 pact as a high quality trade deal, which if expanded to include the US could serve as a model for a wider Asia-Pacific agreement, he said.

"I should emphasise that so far, the talks are tentative and exploratory," Goff added.

Considerable obstacles lie in the way of such a deal in the short term.

US President George W Bush's administration this year lost its fast-track trade negotiation authority from Congress.

The fast-track authority, known as the trade promotion authority, allows the Bush administration to negotiate trade agreements which Congress can only approve or reject, without introducing amendments.

US presidential elections next year could also influence the outcome, although Goff rejected any suggestion that any Democratic Party administration would necessarily be opposed to a deal.

"Many Democrats would be comfortable with a free trade agreement," he said.

Goff said there would be further discussions between the four countries and the US.

"The first question is whether the US takes a further step beyond exploratory talks. If it does, that would be very significant."

The US stance may become clearer early next year, he said.

Singapore and Chile already have free trade deals with the US, but New Zealand has been unsuccessful in getting a similar deal with the world's economic superpower, unlike neighbour Australia.

Relations between New Zealand and the US had been strained since the mid-1980s by Wellington's ban on nuclear-armed and powered warships.

The ban led to New Zealand's expulsion from a three-way defence alliance with the US and Australia.

More recently New Zealand opposed the Iraq War, but there has been a conscious effort by both sides to improve relations in the last couple of years.

AFP

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Expect more flashfloods and be ready during rainy season



Nature's wrath: (Top) Debris hanging from the pipes that indicated the high level of water that rose in the aftermath of the flash floods at the Subok area. (Below) Municipal workers cleaning up the streets of the capital. Pictures: Saifulizam and HM Zailaney


Hadi DP Mahmud
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, December 20, 2007

THE sultanate could expect to see a repetition of the heavy downpour which caused flash floods in the capital earlier in the month if heavy rainfall coincides with high tides, according to the Meteorological Service.

As Brunei enters the wettest period of the monsoon season, the amount of rainfall is expected to be higher than average throughout December and January next year. Officials said in a press conference with the National Disaster Management Centre and related agencies that the wet season may coincide with high tides on December 23 to 27, which will see a possibility of flash floods in low-lying areas.

A nationwide study on flood-prone areas has been conducted by the Public Works Department, which has begun clearing water drainage systems at identified areas and constructing floodwalls on riverbanks.

On December 10, heavy downpour triggered off flash floods in Bandar Seri Begawan, causing havoc on the streets of the capital and residential areas at night.

Tow trucks were a common sight in the commercial areas of Kiulap and Gadong, making their way to partially submerged cars in flooded streets.

It left a trail of destruction in its wake, causing hundreds of thousand dollars of damage to public and private properties.

Director of National Disaster Management Centre cum Director of Fire and Rescue Services Yahya Hj Abdul Rahman advised the public to tune in to local radio stations and television for any emergency matters on public safety and notices.

"Exercise extra vigilance," he said. "If any one of the public members witnesses soil erosion, please report it to 995."

"The public are advised not to drive through floodwater, walk in flood water above knee height or be in any contact with flood water that may endanger public safety.

House occupants are advised not to switch on electrical appliances affected by flood water," he added.

The Fire and Rescue Department has also asked for more understanding from the public in such cases.

Acting Deputy Director of the Fire and Rescue Department Lim Hock Guan said, "the Fire and Rescue Department will always be on standby and ready to respond.

However, we need the public to understand that we need to manage our operational assets. Help may not arrive within the time its needed."

"They may not be the family in need. There are other families who may be needing help," he said.

Government agencies are now repeatedly advising caution and care during the festive season.The Brunei Times

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Economists studying global market information system
Shareen Han
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


Thursday, December 20, 2007


SOME 30 officers from the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources attended a seminar from the world's leading provider of business intelligence that enables registered users to study market trends in the international market.

The half-day seminar touched on the benefits of Euromonitor International's Global Market Information Database, which is an integrated online information system that provides detailed business analysis on countries, consumers and industries.

"It was useful because we have access to all information on countries all over the world and the differences on how these countries promote themselves in the travel and tourism sector," said an officer from the Brunei Tourism Development Department, who did not want to be named.

She told The Brunei Times that accessibility to the online database system will also help to gather relevant information in studying consumer behaviour, thereby developing strategies on how Brunei can market itself to other countries.

The global market information system supports a wide range of tasks, including business and marketing planning, consumer and lifestyle profiling, market performance insight and analysis, strategic forecasting, business modelling and general business reference, Aslinda Hafeez, speaker from Euromonitor International was quoted as saying by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources' website.

The information system also covers the market size data for more than 300 consumer products and produces 4,500 market research reports, global/country reports, as well as company reports.

"It also has profiles and rankings of 3,000 leading consumer goods companies and 35,000 business information sources," the ministry's website added.

Participants at the seminar also had the chance to use the global market information system, which was named as the best business information product by the international information industry.

Founded in 1972 in London, Euromonitor International is a privately owned company with offices in London, Chicago, Singapore, Shanghai and Lithuania's capital city of Vilnius.

Pg Hjh Mariana Pg Dipa Negara Pg Hj Momin, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources also attended the seminar which took place on Monday at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

The ministry's Planning and Policy Division, organiser of the seminar, declined to further comment about the online information system.

Despite this, the course is seen as a welcome strategy in finally gathering empirical data on improving its tourism industry.The Brunei Times

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People close to Allah enjoy peace, says HM



Hari Raya titah: His Majesty delivers his titah on the eve of Hari Raya Aidil Adha at Istana Nurul Iman.Picture: Saifulizam


Waleed PD Mahdini
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, December 20, 2007

PEACE and stability was the underlying message that His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam conveyed in a titah yesterday.

Speaking on the eve of Hari Raya Aidil Adha, His Majesty reminded the residents and people of Brunei Darussalam that "a country will only be considered peaceful once it is free from any form of fear," as one can only enjoy peace if they are safe from fear, the monarch went on to point out.

"There are many countries in the world, regardless of size or strength, that are unable to enjoy peace because they continue to be plagued by many fears," His Majesty said, explaining that these countries are either afraid of civil strife, war, natural disaster, poverty, a crippled economy, infectious diseases and many others.

"All these destroy peace and harmony," warned the monarch.

Towards this end, "Only those people that are close to Allah (SWT), are the ones whose lives enjoy peace," the monarch advised.

Brunei, is a country that is always with Allah, the monarch pointed out, which always offers praises to Allah by making it part of daily life.

The monarch believed that it was due to this that Allah continues to protect the country and its people from natural disasters and disruptive elements.

"God willing, I will always resolve to make Brunei Darussalam a country that always glorifies Allah, so that we will always remain in His care," His Majesty said.

The monarch conveyed these messages of peace and stability as a reminder of its true worth and meaning to everyone, in light of the growing troubles and dangers that had fraught the world into insecurity.

As almost three million Muslims the world over have now congregated in Mekah for the annual Haj pilgrimage, His Majesty shared their same hopes for the "biggest ambition" of achieving peace in everything that we do.

Muslims will be performing the mass Aidil Adha prayers in all mosques, suraus and prayer halls throughout the country this morning. Later throughout the day, sacrificial animals will be duly slaughtered and the meat distributed to the needy and poor throughout the country.The Brunei Times

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Local shutterbug wins top photography award



Smile for the camera: Jinnidi Hj Mahali, voted best photographer of the year, out of 40 other competitors. Picture: Courtesy of Brunei Photographic Society


Shareen Han
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, December 21, 2007

JINNIDI Hj Mahali has won the Brunei Photographic Society's photographer of the year after consistently producing compelling photos throughout the year-long competition.

The licensed aircraft maintenance engineer at the Ministry of Defence received the accolades after a panel of judges determined him as a winner out of about 40 participants.

"I've been waiting two years for this, I came third last year," he said in an interview.

He said that good photographers are those who are patient, creative and able to produce new ideas in taking photographs.

More local youths are now increasingly interested in taking photography, said Jinnidi, who started taking photography as a hobby in 1998.

He hoped to participate in more international competitions which can further improve his skills to a higher level.

Aimed to upgrade the photographic skills and uncover local talents, participants of the competition are required to submit one photo each month.

The monthly assigned photo themes include national celebrations, religious activities, weddings, sports, landscape, nature, close up portraits and still life.

The Brunei Photographic Society has been established for more than 38 years. Currently, it has about 40 active members.

The Brunei Times

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'Act of Korban should be performed as religious duty'



Aidil Adha sermon: Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman delivering Hari Raya Aidil Adha sermon. Picture: Helmyshah


Hadi DP Mahmud
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, December 21, 2007

THE Ministry of Religious Affairs yesterday called on Muslims to perform the act of Korban explicitly as part of their religious duties as opposed to performing the act as part of a common occasion.

"By simply sacrificing an animal, one would not get the benefit of worship. What makes the act valuable from a religious point of view is the obedience in following the correct teachings," said the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, in his Hari Raya Aidil Adha sermon.

"The act should be performed in a religious environment, because when we worship we aim to gain pahala, which would be unobtainable without following the right teachings or having the right intentions," he said.

The act of Korban, the deputy minister elaborated, is becoming more of a communal practice.

"Thanks to Allah (SWT), Who has moved our hearts and opened our minds to realise the benefit of Korban. With realising the benefits of the act of Korban, He has compelled us to do more good deeds."

"The Korban ceremony held this morning is a manifestation of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's loyalty towards Allah. Without a doubt the example set by His Majesty has motivated and influenced his subjects," he said before the congregation that gathered at the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque in Kiarong for the Aidil Adha prayers in the morning.

"This is why there are individual acts of Korban, and group acts through mosques, departments and ministries, and last but not least the private sector. Once again we should be thankful to Allah for allowing our hearts and minds to find the wisdom to be closer to Him as well as to glorify the religion that we adhere to as a way of life. Therefore, the integration of the act into society should continue so that it becomes fully ingrained into the religious way of life."

The same sermon was relayed to mosque-goers nationwide.

The Brunei Times

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Tourism potential: Brunei needs to spice up recipe better
Izam Said Ya'akub



Friday, December 21, 2007


TOURISM in Brunei Darussalam has been receiving good press recently with tourist figures on the rise for this year as well as new plans in place, like the recent MoU for the development of a transit tour programme, to raise interest amongst tourists to return to our shores.

Yet a more pragmatic approach is needed to consolidate efforts which seem to be somewhat fragmented.

Earlier this year when travelling to Malaysia, I asked fellow travellers from Europe and the Middle East whether they have heard of Brunei Darussalam.

"No, what is it like," queried one Dubai travel agent, whilst another member of the travelling group, an incentive agency from Scandanavia chimed in "is it anything like there (the UAE), do they have lots of camels?"

Whilst there is a genuine interest to find out more about Brunei Darussalam, they felt that there is still work to be done in order to take advantage of it, and there is nothing better than spreading the merits of the sultanate by word of mouth.

Neighbours Malaysia and Thailand have been extremely proficient when it comes to marketing their tourist attractions.

Whilst Thailand has become a household name for tourists the world over, Malaysia too has profited from smart and strategic marketing that have punctuated their 'Visit Malaysia Year', in particular hitting spectacular heights as they celebrated their 50th Anniversary of independence in August 2007.

Moreover, the return that the Malaysian government receives is impressive to say the least from the RM$200 million allocated for promotion.

"The government (Malaysian government) is spending a dollar, but they get a hundred times more than that dollar spent," said Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Malaysia's Tourism Minister in May 2007.

The proposed 'Window of Brunei' is a well-thought of step that allows transit passengers in Brunei Darussalam a complementary transit tour, a chance to see the cultural gems and treasure of heritage like Kampong Ayer, Sumbangsih Mulia and the Royal Regalia, one of the favourites for those who cannot look past our status as a Malay Islamic Monarchy.

Bruneians need to get behind this whole hearted push so as to provide visitors an insight to attractions of the sultanate.

Should the visitors to our country share positive experiences when they get back home while it is considered a small success, it is the most effective form of marketing that anyone could ask for.

Hearing from friends and family about exotic destinations has its pros and cons, it can take out the guessing game of picking the holiday destination but could set certain expectations which need to be fulfilled.

Ultimately, living up to them can only help bolster the infant tourism industry that the nation is currently trying to establish.

It was reported that 176,000 tourists visited the Sultanate this year as of December.

Hypothetically speaking, if each tourist had spent $100 per day during a three-day visit in Brunei Darussalam, the $52,800,000 represents a significant boost to the local economy.

Furthermore, the multiplier effect would be greater if the money remains within Brunei Darussalam, or more is subsequently spent.

"To help achieve these areas of the service industries could cater towards them by focusing on the little things," said a travel operator from Malaysia.

Since Brunei has become a destination of fledgling interest for Northeast Asia, they can focus on age old techniques, such as focusing on consumer behaviour, he added.

Food menus can be printed in their native language or a tour operator who is a fluent speaker and familiar with their culture could help make them feel more welcome.

A former lecturer from Universiti Brunei Darussalam agrees saying that it makes business sense to do so.

All in all we have all the right ingredients for success, the only thing now is how best to serve the dish.

The Brunei Times

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Brunei firm urges use of softwares vs dirty money

Hadthiah PD Hazair
BRUNEI-MUARA


Friday, December 21, 2007

MONEY remittance companies are more susceptible to money launderers, hence, require anti-money laundering softwares to aid them weed out suspicious transactions, an official from a local money remittance company said.

Magnajaya Money Remittance set up such a system since it began operations more than a year ago.

"Money remittance companies need to be more careful," the company's assistant manager, Hj Shafiee Hj Ghazali told The Brunei Times. So far, he added, he has not come across transactions that require him to take precautionary measures, but urged other financial institutions to use such softwares. "If you're laundering money, it's easier if you were to utilise a money remittance company instead of banking institutions," he said.

The use of anti-money laundering softwares and knowing your customers "work in tandem", he said, citing that since their agent is based in Singapore, they are therefore required to put such software in place.

The software automatically detects bank accounts or recipient names that are listed as suspicious in the system. The list, according to Hj Shafiee, is updated by their Singapore counterpart who are more stringent in the fight against financing terrorism and money laundering.

"The ... software," Hj Shafiee said, "is really helpful as it is automated and requires no manual work on our part (to keep an eye for illegal activities)."

Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Finance held a briefing on anti-money laundering and combating terrorism financing for financial institutions in the sultanate. The ministry urged financial institutions to both install anti-dirty money softwares as well as keep track of their customers' records in order to get to know them better.

"There are no (known cases) of money laundering in Brunei and no terrorists ... But, we need to protect and ensure the integrity of Brunei's financial system," said the ministry's supervision expert, Joan De Zilva.

The ministry is now drafting rules against money laundering and is in consultation with local banks, insurance companies and remittance firms in view of putting the rules in place by early next year.

The Brunei Times

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Korban performed with 'taqwa' brings rewards from Almighty



Strong bond: Korban helps strengthen the ties between the rich and the poor as both gain happiness. Picture: Helmyshah


Nela Awang
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, December 21, 2007

MUSLIMS in Brunei Darussalam are currently celebrating Hari Raya Aidil Adha since yesterday, corresponding to the 10th day of Zulhijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar.

In the sermon delivered during the Aidil Adha prayers yesterday, it was said that even though Aidil Adha was not celebrated with same fervour as Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, the Muslims have glorified the festival with pious duties or worship, through the act of Korban or sacrifice.

This holy day is celebrated in conjunction with the Haj pilgrimage and commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's commitment to Allah (SWT) for his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Therefore, this particular celebration is also known as Hari Raya Haj or Hari Raya Korban.

The word Korban refers to an animal that is slaughtered in the time of Dhuha or in the morning. According to Syariah or Islamic law, Korban is defined as an animal that is slaughtered on Hari Raya Aidil Adha and on days of Tasyrik, that is on the 11th, 12th and 13th of Zulhijjah. The act signifies syukur or gratitude for the blessing of Allah.

In an interview Imam Muhd Zulhilmi Mohd Jefri of the Pekan Seria Mosque, said that after the days of tasyrik, the act of Korban would no longer be Sunnat and would be considered as sedekah or alms.

Any syariat or events that came from Allah do have a lot of fadhilat or benefits.

One who performs Korban shows that he is taqarrub or devoted to Allah and it is the best way to get closer to Him.

Korban also helps strengthen the ties between the rich and the poor as both gain happiness. Other than that, those who perform the Korban would be protected from hellfire.

A riwayat mentioned by Imam Ahmad and Ibnu Majah says that those who perform Korban will be bestowed with great rewards as every single hair on the body of the animal sacrificed will bring one reward. In a hadith, narrated by Imam Rafi'e and Ibnu Majab, the sacrificed animal would become a means of transportation on the Day of Judgement, while walking on Siratal Mustaqqim.

Another benefit of performing the Korban is that the act helps develop the spirit of giving, of sacrificing material things in the way of Allah.

The time for performing the Korban begins from the sunrise on the 10th of Zulhijjah, until the sunset on 13th of Zulhijjah.

The sermon yesterday also stated that the meat and blood of the sacrificed animal as Korban would not reach Allah as an ibadat or act of worship.

But, what makes the Korban an act of worship which it is performed according to true Islamic teachings, with taqwa and with the intention of getting closer to Allah, to get His forgiveness and blessing.

The Brunei Times

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HM begins Brunei's Korban distribution



Following suite: Temburong District Officer, Hj Mohd Abdoh DSS Hj Abd Salam (R), distributing the Korban meat to a recipient at Belalong Hall.


Nela Awang
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN,
Syed Rory Malai Hassan
TEMBURONG,
Nurkhayrul Salam
TUTONG,
Asnawi Yakib
BRUNEI-MUARA

Friday, December 21, 2007

AFTER completing the mass Aidil Adha prayers, at the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, then proceeded to the Korban ceremony, held at a special dais in the mosque's parking compound.

Joining His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik as well as other members of the royal family.

Every year, the monarch and the royal family, contribute livestock for the Korban ceremony. This year it amounted to 14 goats and 42 cattle. Only seven goats were slaughtered at the occasion yesterday, with the remaining slaughtered at Mulaut abattoir.

The ceremony began with the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Abdul Aziz Juned, the State Mufti. There was also a tausyeh presentation performed by 20 students from the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who had rehearsed for a week.

Seven butchers were appointed to slaughter the Korban livestock, 12 to remove the skins and 30 female staff members cut, weighed and packed the meat into special containers for distribution.

According to statistics from the Islamic Religious Council, the meat will be distributed among 3,834 fakir miskin or less fortunate, nationwide.

His Majesty presented the Korban meat to 20 pre-selected recipients from the Brunei-Muara District.

They came from Kampong Madang and Kampong Manggis Satu.

One of the recipients, Norliah Uda, said that this was her first time receiving the Korban meat from His Majesty himself, ever since she had been granted with the assistance.

"For me, it is much more meaningful because His Majesty presented it directly to me and I am very honoured for being selected to be here," said the 42-year-old single mother.

Roslin Abdullah also conveyed her gratitude to the monarch for his care and welfare of the people, and wished him longevity and prosperity.

Suhaili Hj Idris, who was another recipient, expressed his gratitude to have finally met and personally thank His Majesty.

MEANWHILE, more than 300kg of meat was distributed to residents of the five mukims in Temburong district yesterday under the distribution of Korban meat from the monarch and the royal family.

The distribution, which started at 1pm yesterday at the Belalong Hall, was presented by the Temburong District Officer, Haji Mohd Abdoh Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Salam.

Each recipient, together with 100 committee members, received one kilogram of meat which was sent in from the capital earlier in the day.

In Mukim Amo, 54 residents received the Korban meat, 26 from Mukim Batu Apoi, 98 from Mukim Bokok, 45 from Mukim Bangar and 25 from Mukim Labu; all amounting to 248 residents.

The event began with a reading of the Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat by Haji Adam Haji Tengah, a mosque affairs officer.

Also present were officers and staff of the district office and religious affairs office as well as heads of mukims and villages in the district.

IN TUTONG, 577 underprivileged people from the eight mukims of the district received their Korban meat from the royal family at the Community Hall Complex yesterday.

Tutong District Officer, Haji Jamain Momin presented the Korban meat to 32 village heads, eight district penghulus and 12 less fortunate residents from Mukim Ukong.

Meanwhile, at Kampong Panchor Mosque, Korban meat was distributed to the villagers of the kampong. Abang Haji Kifli Abang Sapawi, village head of Kg Panchor, said that six bulls were donated by 42 families from the village for the occasion. Everyone who came, regardless of race and religion received one kilogram of Korban meat whilst children received half a kilogram each.

THE Brunei-Muara district also held its ceremony at the district office yesterday.

A total of 2,157 residents in the district accounted for the donation of the Korban meat from all 18 mukims in the district. The Korban meat was given to the respective penghulus and village heads of those less-fortunate recipients.

The ceremony began with a recital of Surah Al-Fatihah, a Doa Selamat and a mass takbir led by the Brunei-Muara District Officer, Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yussop Bakar.

Hj Kamis Hj Metassan, Village Head of Kampong Setia 'B' commented on the opportunity for all Muslims to realise the importance of helping those in need and to continuously assist them despite race or religion.

The Brunei Times

holmes

His Majesty leads Aidil Adha prayers



Among his people: His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam (C) followed by HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah , the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, and HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik being greeted by the congregation before the mass Aidil Adha prayer at the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque yesterday. Picture: Helmysyah


Nela Awang
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


Friday, December 21, 2007

HIS MAJESTY Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam led the mass Aidil Adha prayers at the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque yesterday morning.

His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and other members of the royal family.

The Jame' 'Asr mosque, the main focal point of the religious event, also received Muslims of various nationalities, adults and children, as well as female congregants. Concluding the prayers was a two-part khutbah or sermon, both delivered by the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman.

The sermon highlighted that lately, the act of korban or sacrifice had become more socialised.

Muslims nationwide were also reminded to instil the awareness of performing the act of korban as a religious act of ibadat or worship.

In the sermon, the history of how korban or sacrifice came about were also shared, in order to remind Muslims that the sacrifice signified an act of commitment towards Allah (SWT).

Upon leaving the mosque, the congregants also had the opportunity to shake hands and greet the monarch and the royal entourage. Similar prayers were also held in mosques, suraus and prayer halls nationwide. The Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien mosque in the capital also witnessed huge numbers of Muslims from various walks of life, performing the sunat Aidil Adha mass prayers.

The Brunei Times

holmes

Spirit of giving

Spirit of giving: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu抜zzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam (L), giving the Korban meat to one of the less-fortunate recipients at Jame

TheHawk

TheHawk

Employee Caught Pilfering, Sentenced To Jail
By Malai FadleyRizal & Rol Ezam

Bandar Seri Begawan - Two permanent residents aged 28 were sentenced to eight-months jail before the Bandar Magistrate's Court yesterday after pleading guilty to pilfering welding cables.

Norhijan Osman, who was a former employee of Syarikat Kejuruteraan Sistematik Sdn Bhd, and Muhd Nazrol Nazim Abdullah Linggir, pilfered seven rolls of welding cables belonging to the company at its storage facility, within the vicinity of SKS H-24, Seria on December 13, at about 10 pm.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Hj Afif Daraina PDH Badaruddin told the Court that Norhijan did not return a set of keys, including keys to the storage facility, to the company prior to leaving his job.

He took advantage of the accessibility and pilfered items from the company with his accomplice by Muhd Nazrol.

All of the items were nonetheless recovered and returned to the company. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

Local Kuih Makers Stop Supplying To Restaurants
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Some local Malay 'kuih' makers have stopped supplying their products to restaurants because restaurateurs refuse to pay higher prices due to 'the increase in prices of the ingredients.

They said production costs have increased tremendously such as flour, the main ingredient of kuih, from $19 a sack to $30.

"Other ingredients such as cooking oil and eggs have also increased causing us no alternative but to ask for higher prices for our kuih," they added.

"But the restaurant operators refuse hence we.have no choice but to stop our production," said local kuih makers who operated home-based cottage industry within the kitchens of their houses.

They added that they have been experiencing tough times due to squeezed profit margins. But the condition worsens with slow sales causing the restaurants to return their products at the end of the day.

The kuih makers supplied their products on a daily basis to restaurants and grocery stores. They usually paid at the end of the day but unsold items were returned to them.

"We have managed to sustain our production on a tight profit margin but unsold items meant we have made a loss.

"The kuih must be consumed on the same day otherwise they would turn bad," they said. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

TheHawk

No Tax For Brunei's Exports To S Korea
By Hadi DP Mahmud

Bandar Seri Begawan - South Korea's Ministry of Finance and Economy said yesterday that taxes on crude oil, natural gas and more than 11,000 other goods imported from Brunei and the Philippines will be scrapped starting January 1 next year.

The move, part of a free-trade agreement (FTA) on goods between South Korea and Asean, will shed the current one per cent tax on imports of crude oil and natural gas from Asean countries, the finance ministry said in a statement.

South Korea, which signed an FTA with Asean last year, has lifted the tax on such imports from Asean members Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar in June this year. Amongst the package of benefits Brunei stands to gain from the signing of the AseanKorea trade deal is the cheaper imports of South Korean cars.

Tariffs for vehicles manufactured by Hyundai will be gradually reduced from 20 per cent to zero per cent over three years, Hong-Seok Koo, a counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea told The Brunei Times earlier this month.

"To sustain robust trade relations, through the FTA, Brunei is also keen to venture into the areas of communication, construction and aviation," he said.

Brunei mainly exports to Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and China.

At present, Japan is the sultanate's largest export market for its goods, accounting for more than 30 per cent of the total.

It is followed by Indonesia, with 20 per cent; South Korea, with 13 per cent; and the US with eight per cent.

The bulk of the sultanate's exports are oil and gas, and Korea is its second largest buyer, with shipments of about 700,000 tonnes every year.

Other Brunei export products to Korea include steel, aluminium and fisheries goods.

South Korea's trade with Asean, its fifth-largest trading partner, reached US$53.5 billion in 2005. Last year, Brunei's exports to South Korea amounted up to $1824.9 million, a 28 per cent increase from 2005. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

TheHawk

Ops Bongkar - 2.8 Raids A Week
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Law Enforcement Section Department of Immigration and National Registration has had a busy year with a notched-up number of operations conducted throughout the whole year from January 1, 2007 to December 19, 2007 where a total of 1,934 of operation, inspections and monitoring were carried out in its.

This year saw 1,431 monitoring, 310 inspections, 139 operations and 54 joint operations. It was a notch up from the previous number in 2006 of 1,658 checks. Evidently as the years progressed, 2003 saw an increase in operations, inspections and monitoring as in year 2005, it was 1519, 1502 in 2004 and 1119 in 2003.

The number of compound fines collected also saw a rise were from January 1, 2007 to December 8, 2007 where a total of $372,700 was collected from 1,010 immigration offenders. Last year (2006), compound fines were collected from 1,153 people. In 2005 843 people were fined.

The number of people being investigated from January 1, 2007 to December 8, 2007 was 1,377 - a drop from 2006 where it was 1898, and in 2005 it was 2049.

Whilst the number of those prosecuted under the Immigration Act and passport from 1 January 2007 to 81' December 2007 were 188 people where 68 received the painful end of a caning sentence. This was a drop from 236 in 2006, 237 in 2005, 251 in 2004. and 202 in 2003.

The number of operations seem to be on the rise - in 2006 an average of 2.4 operations were conducted under Ops Berkas while this year's Ops Bongkar (January 1, 2007 to December 8, 2007) was an average of 2.8 raids per week.

The New Year will see the section adopting a new name for its operations, and with the same objective to keep the nation free from immigration offences.

The number of deportations however dropped compared to 2006 where it was 2,389 compared to this year (Jan I to Dec 8) with 1,745. In 2005, 2160 foreigners were deported. Most of the foreigners deported were mainly those in immigration cases while rest were due to religious, narcotics, health, customs and labour offences, fishing-related cases and corruption.

There were five fishing-related cases while seven foreigners were deported for corruption cases. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin