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nasik katok .. hehehe
tapi buffet kat brunei murah la kan
BND 7 seorang
kat bangunan pengakap tu ... Gadong kot ...
sedap plak tuh ...
tapi gadis gadis tak banyak lah  |
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Consumer Fair ends on high note, sets new record
By James Kon 
Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources presenting a donation to Pusat Ehsan. | 
Dato Paduka Hamdillah presenting a mock key to the lucky draw's top winner. | 
The Chairman of Sunlit Advertising presenting a contribution to Learning Ladders. | 
One of many interesting displays yesterday inside ICC. - PHOTOS: JAMES KON | 
Efarina (R) at the Malaysian Tourism booth. | 
Marketing Manager of Panacom. |
The Consumer Fair (Part Three) ended on a high note yesterday after setting a record of 51,000 visitors thisyear, breaking its record of 46,000 people in 2008.The event ran from January 8 to 11 at the ICC. The day's biggest winners were four charity organisationsthat each received $2,018, thanks to the lucky draw's thousands of entries. The four organisations wereKACA, SMARTER, Learning Ladders and Pusat Ehsan.
Presenting them with the contributions was Dato Paduka Hamdillah Hj Abd Wahab, the Deputy Minister ofIndustry and Primary Resources, and Pg Salleh Ab Rahaman Pg Hj Damit, the Chairman of SunlitAdvertising, and organiser of the fair.
Hj Murni Hj Majid won himself a brand new Toyota Vios in the lucky draw. Other winners also took homesome electronic goods and mobile phones, among many more attractive prizes.
In an interview with the Bulletin, Hj Murni said, "I want to congratulate and thank the organisers for doing agreat job of putting together an impressive fair and also thanks to the sponsors."
This year's fair received an overwhelming response from the public with a record-setting attendance.
One of the exhibitors, Panacom Sdn Bhd (the official distributors for Philip and Samsung products in Brunei),recorded good sales for its electronic products, especially LCD TVs and refrigerators.
Panacom's Marketing Manager Angus Neo said, "We have received an overwhelming response from visitorsand sold more electronic products than last year. And we will definitely be participating in the fair again nextyear."
Meanwhile, in a separate interview, Efarina of Malaysian Tourism said, "We received a lot of inquiresregarding holiday destinations in Sabah, Sarawak, Penang and Langkawi, especially on the fair's final day.
"This is thanks to cheaper flights and the option of driving by road.
"And we will definitely be taking part again in the fair next year," she added. |
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Kg Lambak Kiri 'B' residents foster ties with walkathon
By Yusrin Junaidi 
Participants of the walkathon led by the guest of honour. - YUSRIN JUNAIDIMore than 130 residents of Kampong Lambak Kiri 'B' and members of its Mosque Consultative Councilparticipated in a walkathon that was organised by the kampong's Mosque Consultative Council yesterday.The guest of honour was the village head of Kampong Lambak Kiri 'B', Major (Rtd) Hj Mohd Jair bin AbdWahab.
The walkathon, which began around 7.30am, started with a mass warm-up session, which was then followedwith a recital of surah al-fatihah.
Led by the guest of honour, participating adults and children started off from the Lambak Kiri 'B' mosque andwalked towards the exit to the highway before heading back to the mosque.
One of the participants explained that the walkathon was a community effort towards strengtheningrelationship and keeping fit.
"This is our opportunity to exchange ideas with our neighbours and our friends and the children can alsoexchange ideas that are more related to academic issues," he added.
Awang Billy and his friends pointed out, "We had a good time at the walkathon and the earlier aerobicexercise was also fun because the instructor did some funny aerobic moves." |
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Public puts up with long queues for new passports
By Rosli Abidin Yahya 
A similar queue outside the passport office. - PHOTOS: ROSLI ABIDIN YAHYA | 
The long queue to make biometric passport forming outside the main entrance to the National Registration and Immigration Department. |
The rush to make biometric passports continues and long queues are seen everyday at the Passport Sectionof the National Registration and Immigration Department in Berakas as citizens have come to realise themany benefits of changing their machine-readable passports (MRP) to the biometric version.According to an Immigration officer, people have been seen waiting from 6am for the office to open duringthe school holidays but the numbers have begun to dwindle lately after schools reopened last week.
"There used to be as many as 100 people waiting at the entrance and only about 40 or 50 applicants will beallowed in so the rest would need to come back in the afternoon or the next day," she explained.
"Now about 60 people wait in the morning and about 10 or 20 of them would be rejected and have to comeback again. The passport office only allows 40 to 50 applicants in the morning and 30 more in the afternoonto ensure they would all be served," she said.
One of the many applicants and his family have been trying to make biometric passports for the past fewweeks but have not yet been allowed in as the office keeps exhausting the maximum number of applicantsper session.
"This morning I came in at 6am but still could not be served. So I returned in the afternoon and I think I wouldmake it this time," he said.
He also expressed his regrets over queue cutting by some of the applicants that usually come in late butmanage to circumvent the queuing system by getting their children to queue in for them.
However, regardless of the wait, many people continue to queue up in order to be able to exchange theirMRP documents to biometrics as they have learnt the extra benefits.
Biometric passports holders from Brunei were allowed to participate in the United States' Visa WaiverProgramme (VWP) whereupon they can enter the United States without a visa requirement as long as theymeet certain criteria.
Biometric holders will also be able to pass through the Auto-gate or e-gate system, which will be introducedat the Brunei International Airport by the end of this year so they can pass through immigration and securitychecks much faster at the airport. The auto-gate system has also been introduced in many otherinternational airports already.
A biometric passport carries biometric information linking a person to his/her passport. Biometric verificationcan be used at border controls and to check that the image on a passport renewal application matches theimage held on record. |
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Heavy downpours could bring misery for many
By Amie PDH Ishak 
Photo shows the water level in the water village, which is less than one feet away from the flooring of the house. | 
High tides have caused the water levels to increase in Kampong Ayer. - PHOTOS: JASON LEONG |
Brunei has been experiencing heavy downpours for several months now and it has continued in the first twoweeks of the New Year. The Meteorological Department has stated that the heavy rains are associated withthe Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone during this northeast monsoon season.The monsoon season will last until March but normally the wet season will end at the end of January unlessthere is a tropical storm or weather conditions change.
Heavy rains hit the capital again last night. The high tide is also compounding the misery of many residents.
Kuala Belait and Seria have been at the receiving end of wet weather conditions over the weekend asschools were closed as some colleges and institutions were inundated by floodwaters.
The continuous downpour has also caused many landslides. |
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UBD cuts degree courses
By Sonia K. 
Vice Chancellor of UBD Dr Haji Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi.Beginning August this year, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) willonly be offering four undergraduate degrees to its new intake ofstudents. The university will be narrowing down programmes from morethan 20 to only four and they are Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor ofScience, Bachelor of Health Science and Bachelor of Business.These new generation of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees will align the university with the best ofAsian practices and those of the rest of the world, the Vice Chancellor of UBD Dr Haji Zulkarnain Hj Hanafisaid Saturday during a press conference.
"We have looked at various models from around the world in terms of universities, bachelor programmes, thesort of needs Brunei requires, the capabilities of incoming students to the university. And we feel that thebest way forward is to come up with new generation programmes," he said in a separate interview.
In reviewing its programmes, UBD has been inspired by His Majesty's titah during the recent 20th UBDConvocation ceremony in which the monarch urged the university to change.
The four degrees will offer a range of pathways to provide students with flexibility in choices of career -essential in the rapidly changing global economy of the 21st century.
The degrees will develop knowledge in breadth across disciplines but ensure sufficient depth to preparestudents for professional programmes and further study.
The vice chancellor in an interview said the most important thing is that not only these people are employedbut are also marketable. "We want these graduates to be job-creators. So we want to get away with thementality of dependency. Why should graduates expect to be given a job by the government or privatesectors? They should be racing out there to get jobs," the VC said.
UBD has another plan up its sleeves. To ensure the development of global awareness, students will beencouraged to spend part of their degree in another country or in internship training in an authentic context.
This will be done during their third year. During their programmes in years one, two and four, they will be inBrunei. In year three, which UBD has plans to name it as the "Discovery Year", students will be encouragedto spend a year or a semester in another institution overseas.
"So at the moment, we are developing linkages with a lot of universities from around the world like the UnitedStates, Europe, Australia and even the ones close by such as Singapore," the Vice Chancellor said.
What UBD is trying to do as well is to not only have the undergraduates go out for that year to study but alsoperhaps see them take the opportunity to do internships, he added.
"Some of the universities we will be collaborating with will also work with us in terms of getting theminternships so they spend six months studying in that partnering university, and another six months workingin the industry," Dr Haji Zulkarnain said.
Finally in the fourth year, they will come back, consolidate, finish everything and then graduate.
Each undergraduate degree programme will allow students to choose from a variety of major disciplines,enhanced by electives designed to provide multiple critical, analytical, theoretical, and practical perspectiveson the major disciplines to introduce breadth and relevance.
The guiding principle in the design of these degrees is to prepare graduates for a rapidly changing worldwhere adaptability and innovation through multidisciplinary approaches are essential for successful scientific,economic and social developments.
The new generation of degrees will engage graduates and will be founded on the development of innovationand leadership, environmental awareness and entrepreneurship.
The four-year undergraduate degrees will prepare graduates for immediate employment or further study. Iffurther study is chosen, this may be followed by research through study for Masters and PhD. If professionaltraining is chosen, accredited programmes at Masters level will be available.
In the current rapidly changing global environment, it is essential to prepare UBD graduates with skills andknowledge, which are relevant and sensitive to the needs of society. Through the new generation of degreesand professional postgraduate qualifications, UBD will produce high quality professionals who are equippedto respond confidently to the diverse challenges of the 21st century. |
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Creating ICT awareness through Integrated Radio Network seminar
By Syafiq Affendy 
Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Communications (2nd R) and at the Prime Minister's Office (3rd R) at the event. - PHOTOS: SYAFIQ AFFENDY | 
Managing Director of Northstar Development Sdn Bhd delivering his speech. | 
Vice President and Managing Director of Sapura Technology Bhd giving his presentation. |
Northstar Development Sdn Bhd, a local consultant company yesterday coordinated presenters from SapuraSecured Technology Bhd, a Malaysian-owned technology based organisation to give an awarenesspresentation on Integrated Radio Network.The presentation was attended by Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Hj AlaihuddinPOKDGSLDSU Hj Md Taha, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Haji Murni Hj Mohammed,and Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communication.
Fifty-five senior officers from government and non-government agencies also attended the seminar.
The purpose of the presentation was to create awareness amongst the relevant agencies regarding theimportance of implementing ICT development in the area of Integrated Radio Network in the country.
The Managing Director of Northstar Development Sdn Bhd, Awang Haji Muslim bin Haji Awg Tengah, in hisspeech emphasised the importance of the private sector's participation in contributing towards a moreefficient and effective nation in today's era of ICT.
"The private sector too has a piece in my personal opinion, a very important piece to contribute to this drivetowards more efficient and effective nation building. It is with this underlying philosophy that the Northstarteam has taken the initiative to put the programme together in response to His Majesty's Government's callfor increased public and private sector partnerships with the ultimate aim of introducing to Brunei anopportunity for us all to take a step further in the implementation of our ICT development and in recognitionof the belief that I hold in the powerful transformatory potential of this opportunity," he said.
He also added that the development in the Integrated Radio Network in Brunei would allow departments tostreamline their efficiency in their core businesses and evaluate means to cut down their involvement in non-core services.
Present to give the presentation on behalf of Sapura Secured Technology was its Managing Director, MrWan Shahruddin Wan Mahmud who is also the Vice President of the organisation.
During the presentation, Sapura Secured Technologies shared with the audience their experiences inMalaysia, in building a "Government Integrated Radio Network" within the various government agencies andusing TETRA as the underlying technology.
Additionally, Sapura Secured Technology also presented their proposal on how they could implement thesame Integrated Radio Network system used by Malaysia in Brunei.
Integrated Radio Network System allows its users to increase efficiency and processes, improve economiesof scale with the pooling of budgets and elimination of cost duplication, improve response time, bettercooperation among agencies and better services to the public and community.
A question and answer session was held followed by a demonstration of the TETRA devices where theaudiences were able to examine the devices. The presentation ended with a doa kesyukuran read by theDirector of Northstar, Hj Alimen bin Hj Jaafar. |
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11 theft cases in three days
By Azlan Othman
Two gambling activities were busted recently, resulting in 15 local and Malaysian men aged between 21 and 54 years, as well a 51-year-old woman being apprehended for card playing at a night stall in Menglait.
Additionally, a 38-year-old male was held for possession of a 4-digit lottery ticket. The police yesterday revealed that the man was arrested at Anggerek Desa along with evidence including 4-D lottery tickets dated January 3 and 7, a calculator, pen and two handphones containing SMSes of the illicit activity. All the evidence were brought to the Anti-Vice and Gambling Unit of the Police Force.
Meanwhile, 11 theft cases were also reported over the past three days. Two cases were reported at a Gadong supermarket and a school in Sengkurong, where $1,750 in cash was said to have gone missing. Three locals have been detained.
Four break-ins were reported at a shop in Yayasan Complex, RIPAS Hospital power substation, as well as substations in Tutong and Kg Delima Satu, where cash amounting to $190, a 72-metre earth cable with a market value of $5,320, ground cable measuring 25 metres, a Suzuki Ignis and two mobile phones were reported missing. Two men and a woman have been detained.
Five other theft cases were reported at the Suri Seri Begawan building in Belait and at restaurants in Kiulap, Kg Sg Hanching and Kg Kulapis, where two mobile phones, a cashier machine and a digital camera were stolen.
The offence of committing theft inside a building carries a seven-year imprisonment term and a fine.
Meanwhile, two cases of vandalism were reported near Jubilee Complex and at Kg Perpindahan Lambak Kanan.
Also reported were an assault case involving a 25-year-old man, two cases of fraud, one case of runaway maid, another of a runaway employee; three cases of unpaid wages, three cases of fires, and three customs cases, where a 52-year-old woman has been detained for possessing alcoholic beverages.
Two Chinese men aged 24 and 29 years were also detained for hiding 2,905 DVDs inside a car, while a 60-year-old Chinese man was held for smuggling 226 cigarette packets of various brands at the Sg Tujoh Control Post.
Three drug abuse cases involving three local men aged 24 to 37 years were also detected.
Thirty-seven cases of accidents were also reported, 22 of which were self accidents. Twenty-four accidents were reported in the Brunei-Muara District, five in the Belait District, and eight in the Tutong District. |
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Brunei hosts Environmental Management Seminar
By Amin Hosni 
Guest of honour, third from left, at the seminar. | 
Haji Awang Yussof delivering his welcoming remarks. | 
Hashimoto Itsuo delivering his welcoming remarks. | 
Kenzo speaking on the current environmental problems. |
World leaders are taking numerous initiatives to tackle environmental pollution in the region and as part of itscontinuous efforts, Brunei Darussalam has hosted the Environmental Management Seminar to createawareness and share its latest knowledge with others involved in this matter.The opening ceremony held at Seameo Voctech yesterday saw Minister of Development Pehin Orang KayaHamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar asthe guest of honour.
The one-day seminar themed 'The Brunei Initiative' was also attended by Dato Paduka Dr Awg Haji MatSuny bin Haji Mohd Hussien, Deputy Minister of Development, Japanese Ambassador to Brunei HashimotoItsuo, Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Development and Ministry of Education, JapanEnvironmental Management Association for Industry (JEMAI) Director Tadao Iguchi, JEMAI Deputy DirectorKenzo Ooka, as well as director generals and directors of departments under both ministries.
In his welcoming remarks, Seameo Voctech Acting Director Haji Awang Yussof Haji Awang Mohamad said,"In its goal towards supporting relevant programmes that are beneficial, Seameo Voctech abides by theUnited Nation's call on the 'Decade of Sustainable Development (2005-2014).
"Development can only be sustainable if it stands firmly on the pillars of technology, society and theenvironment.
"Based on the last environmental management system seminar in February 2008, it emphasised the needfor roles to accomplish in regard to better environmental policies and programmes, and improved monitoringschemes on related-environmental tasks," Haji Yussof said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Hashimoto Itsuo noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary since theestablishment of the Japan-Brunei diplomatic relation and that part of the seminar is aimed at furtherpromoting mutual relations between the two countries.
Hashimoto added that a number of companies in Japan are implementing the Environmental ManagementSystems (EMS).
"Promoting EMS in Brunei could play a significant part in advancing diversification in such a manner asbeing friendly to society and the environment," he added.
The seminar also heard a keynote speech on the 'Current Environmental Problems' by JEMAI Centre forEnvironmental Education and Training Deputy Director Kenzo Ooka. He listed global warming and the earthsummit, carbon offset, acid rain, ozone layer depletion and deforestation as the Top 10.
His speech also covered air pollution, Minamata disease, mercury converted by bacterial activity which canenter the brain cells and cause fetus abnormalities, toxicology, hydrologic cycles and the benefits ofEMS/ISO 14001.
Kenzo stated that private or public organisations globally which have implemented the EMS/ISO 14001 haveexperienced benefits such as pollution prevention, better environmental performances, cost savings inoperations (e.g. paper, utility and waste), increased efficiency of operations and improved public relations.
"If EMS is well executed, the result will be stable. Even if an incident occurs, they can recover," he added.
One of Kenzo's slides showed how other countries viewed Brunei and Japan. It said information provided bythe CIA showed that Brunei Darussalam benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the sourceof one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia with US$51,000, while Japan is the world's largest importer ofcoal and liquefied natural gas as well as the second largest importer of oil with US$33,500 per capita, with apopulation of over 127 million.
The seminar also saw a presentation on how EMS is effectively utilised by BLNG, which was delivered byBLNG Senior General Manager (Plant) Hj Matsatejo Sokiaw, and new trends in environmental managementby Iguchi.
The seminar hopes to explore further insights on environmental issues and solutions that can help reduce itby understanding and applying the correct management methods.
JEMAI is a public corporation established in 1962 and has a membership of over 1,100 Japanesecompanies in various industries such as electric, steel and petrochemical. It has been a representative officeof the ISO 14000 series since the late 90s.
Under the EPA Scheme, both countries are expecting various projects to further strengthen cooperativerelations in numerous aspects including human resource development and energy saving. The seminar isone of the projects sponsored by the government of Japan and co-organised by the JapaneseEnvironmental Association for Industry (JEMAI), the Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam and SeameoVoctech. |
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Social Studies will gear Brunei's youth for the future
By Azaraimy HH 
Hajah Badriah bte Hj Saidin, the Head of Social Studies Unit at the Curriculum Development Department. | 
Teachers who attended the briefing yesterday. - PHOTOS: AZARAIMY HH | 
Diagram describing what the Social Studies subject encompasses. |
Social Studies for Year Four, Five and Six is one of the exciting new subjects being introduced to upperprimary students under the new education curriculum, "National Education System for the 21st Century"(SPN21).Social Studies is a multidisciplinary subject that integrates history, geography and civics. It also containselements of economics, sociology, anthropology and environmental education.
According to Hajah Badriah bte Hj Saidin, the Head of Social Studies Unit at the Curriculum DevelopmentDepartment, the new multidisciplinary subject has substituted history and geography lessons in primaryschools.
In the past, there were concerns on the "lack of continuation" of the syllabus for primary geography andhistory lessons in secondary level, she said.
Hajah Badriah told the Bulletin that this was one of the reasons why the idea of introducing social studies toreplace those subjects was taken into account.
Awg Susis bin Ukoi, the Secretary of the Social Studies Committee, meanwhile, pointed out the majority ofteachers in Brunei support the new syllabus.
Following the formation of a committee for Social Students in 2005, the draft of the new syllabus began totake shape. Questionnaires were then issued to various schools in the country concerning the new syllabus.
Awg Susis said that the committee received a total of 210 responses from various schools in the country inAugust 2006, in which 92 per cent of them responded "favourably" to the new syllabus.
According to him, the new subject was included under the SPN21 because history and geography lessonsseparately have "left little space for developing an understanding of contemporary society and culture asexperienced in our everyday lives".
On the other hand, Social Studies for Year Four, Five, and Six is "comparative and holistic in its approach tosocial life", he said, adding that the need to teach this subject to primary students, who are Brunei's futuregeneration, was "all too important".
Awg Susis is confident that the new subject will provide Brunei's students with experiences that will helpthem become "effective, healthy, happy, productive, tolerant and compatible" citizens of tomorrow.
Touching on the importance of teaching Social Studies in schools, he said: "We (teachers in Brunei) need todevelop students' knowledge and understanding... (with) factual information and mental concepts."
According to him, students have to be made aware of the world, as well as their own community and nation.He added that with Social Studies, students will be able to hone their interpersonal skills, as well ascommunication and thinking skills.
Hajah Badriah and Awg Susis were speaking to the Bulletin yesterday during a briefing for over 20 SocialStudies teachers from Brunei I, II, III and IV at the Ministry of Education.
The briefing, which was conducted by the Curriculum Development Department through the Social StudiesUnit, was to give Social Studies teachers a better understanding of textbooks, workbooks, source books,teaching guides and e-books that are required for the new subject.
The Social Studies Unit will be holding the same briefing for other teachers from January 19 to January 22. |
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SPN21 will empower our students
By Amin Hosni 
Haji Abdul Rahman (left), Assistant Director of Curriculum Development at the Ministry of Education, speaking to the press. - AMIN HOSNIThe Ministry of Education this week informed the Bulletin that the "National Education System for the 21stCentury" (SPN21) has had a good start and that the progress of introducing fundamental changes that arerequired to ensure that students are equipped with 21st Century skills has been "very encouraging".According to the Assistant Director of Curriculum Development at the Ministry of Education, Haji AbdulRahman bin Haji Nawi, the Ministry of Education is well on its way in reaching the milestone of fulfilling theBrunei Vision 2035 by implementing the new education system.
The ministry has called on the nation, especially parents, to support the new curriculum.
"The SPN21 is a new education system that requires parents' involvement," he said, adding parents play avital role in their children's academic life.
Hj Abdul Rahman pointed out that in the last five years between 36 and 38 per cent of students were able toachieve five 'O' levels, which has become a concern for the ministry.
Statistics show that currently only 13.1 per cent of students enter higher educational institutions, he said,adding that this was "quite far behind" because Brunei needs to obtain a level of at least 30 per cent.
He informed the Bulletin that the ministry looked into this matter with the help of an international consultantfrom ACER Australia, who was hired to carry out investigations on more than 15,000 students in PrimaryFour, Primary Six and Form Two in Brunei.
Hj Abdul Rahman said that the results from the in-depth investigation were an "eye opener".
"The results showed that 44 per cent of Primary Six students were still at basic literacy," he said, adding thatthe percentage of students in this primary level should have "independence reader skill".
As the report also stated that only 16 per cent of students in Year Eight (Form 2) were independent reader,local and foreign researchers were called in to focus on improvement in literacy and numeracy fields.
Hj Abdul Rahman added that other reasons why the country was moving forward with the SPN21 was thatthe number of science stream students under the previous education system had been decreasing in the last10 years so much so that most schools now only have one science stream class.
Defending Music and Drama lessons that are being introduced in the primary level under the new curriculum,Hj Abdul Rahman said: "It does not necessarily mean that students should think of taking up music as aprofession."
This new subject is aimed at promoting a fun learning environment for students to learn how to composesong and read music notes, he added.
Hj Abdul Rahman reassured the public that training has been provided to teachers who will be teaching thenew subjects in primary level.
"Art and Designs teachers have already undergone training last year to meet the implementation that startsfrom January to June," he said.
The Bulletin has also learnt that teachers who will be teaching Music and Drama from this July onwards arecurrently attending workshops and undergoing training in the afternoons.
As the Ministry of Education has received criticism from stakeholders that most primary students in Bruneiare "stage fright", it is hoped that the new curriculum will instil self-confidence in the youth.
"The move to (SPN21) means that school is not just about paper and pens, but also role play to producemore lively students who can participate in team projects and such, which is lacking," Hj Abdul Rahman said.
When asked about the hot-button topic of "no retention" under the SPN21, he said that the "InterventionProgramme" would only come in for those who do poorly in their performance. He explained that this wouldbe divided into three groups - weak, medium and independent (high achievers).
Those classified as weak will be given special attention to help them in their performance, he said.
The SPN21 is not just limited to schools in urban areas, as the new curriculum is for all schools nationwide,including those in rural areas.
As schools in rural areas are known to have limited computer facilities or Internet access, Hj Abdul Rahmansaid that the Ministry of Education has spent a lot to purchase e-books that come with CDs so that those inthe rural areas are not left behind.
This measure is to ensure that students in rural areas can cope with Information Communication Technology(ICT), which is a major application in the SPN21. |
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Wetter weather caused by La Nina says meteorologist
By Azlan OthmanThe Sultanate is experiencing wetter weather so far this year due to the "La Nina" effect, a weatherforecaster said yesterday."In the last few days, we saw a 'cold air outbreak' from continental Asia, notably China and Siberia, whichaffected the Sultanate which is currently experiencing a north-east monsoon," he said.
The weather forecast for today (Jan 13) alone indicates rough seas with waves of two to three metres whichremain dangerous to all marine activities. The risk of flash floods is predicted to persist in low-lying areas.
Cloudy and unsettled weather with more rain showers are expected throughout the period, especially overthe Belait District. However the outlook at night will see partly cloudy and improving weather conditions.
Continuous rainfall has caused flooding along riverbanks and in low-lying areas.
Business among fishmongers in Jerudong beach is also affected.
A retiree and regular customer, Dyg Hjh Jiyah, lamented that of late, there is less variety of fish available atJerudong beach. She could only buy her favourite fish, "Kitang" and "Rumahan" yesterday.
Kuala Belait and Seria were at the receiving end of the wet weather over the weekend as schools wereclosed after some colleges and institutions were inundated by floodwaters.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported that north-easterly winds of up to 60 km per hour and rough seas with wavesup to 5.5 metres high are expected to occur in the waters off Sabah and Sarawak until Wednesday,according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
It had issued a third category wind warning for the waters off Condore,Pahlawan, Reef North and Layang-Layang, Bunguran, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri,Labuan, Sabah Barat and Kudat. It said the wind and seaconditions would be dangerous for shipping, workers on oil rigs, ferryservices, coastal activities and fishing. |
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Uphold ISO 14001, save environment
By Amin Hosni 
Pehin AbdullahBruneians have been urged to take responsibility in their roles insafeguarding the environment while local business companies were urgedto uphold the ISO 14001, which could reduce catastrophic environmentalpollution and degradation.The call was made by Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah binBegawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Minister of Development, during the opening ceremony of theEnvironmental Management Seminar, held yesterday at Seameo Voctech in Gadong.
The minister said the wet season last November led to flash floods and landslides in several places in thecountry, which not only inconvenienced the public but also resulted in irreversible damages to properties anddisplacement for those affected.
There were people who associated the events to unusual weather patterns while some blamed it on theinadequate drainage system and others linked it to disregard and insensitiveness to the ecological system,he said and added, albeit the different perspectives ... "we need to ensure that our fragile and scarceenvironment resources are managed in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. Otherwise wecould face damaging and disastrous consequences.
"The time has come for us to shift towards the development paradigm which considers environment as thecore of decision making.
"It warrants us to integrate and mainstream environmental considerations into our development processes,"said Pehin Dato Abdullah.
"Environment factors and impacts must be factored in throughout every stages of the life cycle ofdevelopment planning and implementation," he said while highlighting that Environmental ImpactAssessments (EIA) is a tool that we can utilise for this purpose.
EIA enables the project proponent to identify, predict and evaluate the significant impacts of developmentproject to the surrounding environment and to develop an environmental management plan that outlines thenecessary measures that need to be implemented to prevent, monitor and mitigate significant environmentalimpacts.
The minister also touched on a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) thatdocumented cases of EIA carried out in a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region illustrating that thecost of undertaking EIA ranges from 1 to 3 per cent of the development costs, and stressed that by investingin it we could avoid the risks of irreversible and catastrophic environmental pollution and degradation.
According to the Global Environmental Outlook 4 (2007) by UNEP, the minister said, several studies havedemonstrated that the costs of inaction, delayed action and inappropriate actions in dealing withenvironmental concerns are far greater that the investment costs to achieve environmentally sound andsustainable development goal.
In Asia and the Pacific, the Asian Development Bank has estimated that annual investment costs to achieveenvironmentally sound and sustainable development would range from US$12.9 billion to 40 billion yearly,and repairing the damage done to land, water, air and living biota was estimated at $25 billion annually.
In addition, based on conventional income per capita value, human capital damage due to environmentalcauses in developing countries is estimated at $200 billion, the minister added.
"For reason and justification cited above, the Ministry of Development requires proponents of developmentactivities and projects that can cause significant environment pollution or degradation to undertake EIA'sbefore they can proceed with the project implementation," said the minister.
Development projects that have undertaken EIA's include Kagu Dam, engineered landfill in Tutong andSungai Liang Industrial Park development.
"While the government is expected to take the lead, the role of other stakeholders which include the civilsociety and corporate community are just as important in ensuring success in achieving environmentallysound and sustainable development.
"This means that civil society and corporate community must become responsible and accountable for theirenvironmental performance and adopt self-regulation approaches. This is where ISO 14000 series act asvaluable tools for the corporate community to fulfill their self-regulatory environmental managementobligations," said the minister.
Pehin Dato Haji Abdullah said it was encouraging to acknowledge that a number of business entities inBrunei Darussalam - Brunei Shell Petroleum, Brunei LNG, NBT, Dua O Dua, CIC Environmental Servicesand Butra Heidelberg Cement Sdn Bhd - have subscribed to ISO 14001 as their commitment tosafeguarding the environment.
The minister urged other businesses in the country to emulate the commendable effort of ISO 14001-certified companies and to adopt environmentally sound and sustainable practices as an integral aspect oftheir business management. |
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Sultan at Islamic Religious Council Meeting
By Azaraimy HH 
His Majesty the Sultan in a group photo with Religious Council members. | 
His Majesty greeted by Pehin Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Abu Bakar. - PHOTOS: JASON LEONG | 
Meeting in progress at the Legislative Council Building. |
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend the Islamic ReligiousCouncil Meeting yesterday at the Legislative Council building in Jalan Kebangsaan.The Islamic Religious Council is the country's main policy maker that defines the direction of theadministration of the Islamic religion for the nation, while the Majlis is also the main authority and bodyresponsible in advising His Majesty on matters pertaining and relating to Islam.
His Majesty also heads the council. Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Pehin Dato Seri Utama DrUstaz Hj Md Zain, President of the Islamic Religious Council.
Before the closed-door meeting, a group photo was taken. After the session, His Majesty was led into themeeting room, where the monarch presided over the meeting and delivered a titah.
The meeting yesterday was attended by members of Islamic Religious Council, including Pg Laila CheteriaSahibun Najabah Pg Anak Hj Abd Aziz Pg Jaya Negara Pg Hj Abu Bakar, Chairman of the Adat Istiadat,Pehin Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Md Zain, Minister of Religious Affairs and President of the IslamicReligious Council, and Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin, Deputy Minister of ReligiousAffairs and Vice President of the Islamic Religious Council.
Also in attendance were Pehin Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong, the Minister of Development, PehinDato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Abd Aziz Juned, State Mufti, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Abd HamidBakal, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Salim Hj Besar, Dato Seri Setia Hj Metussin Hj Baki, Dato SeriPaduka Hj Kifrawi Dato Paduka Hj Kifli, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Yahya Hj Ibrahim, PehinDato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Suhaili Hj Mohiddin and Pehin Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohd Ali Mohd Daud.
Before leaving the Legislative Council building, His Majesty consented for a santap (lunch). |
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Over 10 accidents along Jerudong Highway
Photos: Hj Md Said Arshad Eleven vehicles were involved in an accident yesterday morning that caused a massive traffic jam alongJerudong Highway (photo left). Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The cause of the accident is still underinvestigation. Meanwhile, there was another accident yesterday in Kampong Tasek Meradun, in which avehicle slammed into a lamppost (photo right). The driver, who sustained minor injuries, was rushed toRIPAS Hospital for treatment. Both accidents occurred during the heavy downpour. Motorists are remindedto drive with extra caution especially during the wet season. |
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Aquaculture offers a lucrative future
By James Kon 
Group picture of the officials from the Department of Fisheries of Brunei Darussalam and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines. | 
Malcom I Sarmiento (C), Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines. | 
Dayang Hasnah binti Ibrahim (R), Brunei's Director of Fisheries. - PHOTOS: JAMES KON |
Brunei's has vast potential in aquaculture as the world's supply of marine fish is expected to dwindle in thefuture.Realising this potential, the Fisheries Department under Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources hasbeen trying to build up the aquaculture industry, however there are still a number of challenges to beovercome.
Dayang Hajah Hasnah binti Ibrahim, the Director of Fisheries, in an interview after the first session of thesecond meeting of the Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Philippines Joint Technical Fisheries WorkingGroup held from Jan 13-14 said, "We have 44 operators licensed to fish culture various species of fishes.We recently provided licences to another 23 new operators."
"We (the Fisheries Department) are trying to improve the operations by supplying them with quality seedsand introducing efficient aquaculture practices."
However, she said they still lacked efficient aquaculture practices. "We had to look into the operations of theoperators in producing quality fish for both the domestic and foreign markets."
She added, "We are trying to teach operators to look after the farms to avoid fish diseases which is a majorproblem. Another problem is 'trash' fish feed that could pollute the water. We are advising the operators touse pelleted feed which is more environmentally friendly."
"Also the department is trying to extend new technologies as well as facilities for research and development.
"The species of fishes that Brunei operators are culturing include local fishes as well as sea bass andgrouper.
"The grouper seeds come from neighbouring countries. While for sea bass, one of the operators is alreadycapable of producing the seeds," she said.
She added, "It will take some time for the operators to go into the foreign market because we need to fulfilthe demand of the domestic market."
Meanwhile, Malcom I Sarmiento, Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of thePhilippines, in an interview said Brunei Darussalam has the potential to be a force in aquaculture.
"Like in the Philippines, we are striving to be a major player when aquaculture becomes the dominant sourceof fish in the world. Aquaculture now represents a total of 39 per cent of the global supply of fish and thisyear, it is expected to grow to 50 per cent."
He added, "I think Brunei also has a very good production centre for aquaculture, especially in marineculture in sea cages."
On cooperation, Sarmiento said, "The Philippines would like to assist Brunei in promoting aquaculture interms of technical assistance, joint ventures, share of expertise, and exchange of information andtechnology."
Meanwhile, collaboration in the red tide monitoring and opportunities in tuna fishing in Zone 4 were amongthe areas of cooperation discussed at yesterday's meeting.
Other topics included exchange of technical officers and practical attachments, especially in combatingfishing with cyanide and explosives. Also discussed was the aquaculture sector, which includes possibletechnical cooperation in hatchery technology in the production of grouper, red snapper and other potentialspecies.
The first meeting was held from March 13-14, 2007 in Manila, Philippines. |
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Fire guts house in Lambak Kiri
By Amie PDH Ishak & Syafiq Affendy 
Fire fighters battling to put out the fire. - PHOTOS: SYAFIQ AFFENDY | 
Awang Zakaria bin Hj Tuah and his wife speaking to the Bulletin. |
A fire, which was caused by a candle that was left alight as the house has no electricity for the last sevenyears, gutted a house in Kampong Perpindahan Skim Rakyat Jati in Lambak Kiri last night.The Fire and Rescue Department received a call at 8.14pm and deployed a fire truck from the LambakKanan Fire Station and another from the Berakas Fire station. Fifteen personnel from the departmentheaded by Acting Senior Superintendent Ranee bin Hj Othman, Commanding Officer of Operation 'C', wereon the scene.
Six personnel and one fire truck from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces were also rushed to the scene.
According to the owner of the house, Awang Zakaria bin Hj Tuah, who is employed at the Public WorksDepartment, the fire was most likely caused by a candle that was not extinguished.
"We were on the way to the hospital to visit my father when we received a call from a relative that our housewas on fire and we immediately rushed back.
"We have no electrical appliances in the house since we have been living without electricity for seven yearsdue to some technical problems in the house."
Awang Zakaria along with his wife and six children, aged between five and 17 years, have been living in thehouse since 1992.
Dyg Shamsiah bte Hj Matussin, the wife of Awg Zakaria, said they have been waiting for the house to befixed for a while now and have had four contractors sent by the government to take a look at the house.
The Kampong Lambak Kiri Village Head, Awang Hj Hamdani bin Omar, who was also at the scene last nightsaid there are 145 wooden houses at Kampong Perpindahan Skim Rakyat Jati, Lambak Kiri and threehouses including this house have been ravaged by fire over the years.
According to Fire and Rescue personnel, the estimated damages to the house was approximately B$50,000.
The Royal Brunei Police Force and personnel from the Community Development Department were also atthe scene.
For the time being Awang Zakaria and his family will be staying at his father in law's house in KampongPerpindahan Mentiri. |
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Sultan queries zakat distribution, balance
By Azaraimy HH 
His Majesty at the Legislative Council Building. | 
His Majesty delivers the titah. - PHOTOS: JASON LEONG |
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam,yesterday in a titah queried members of the Islamic Religious Councilon the large sum of money from zakat collections yet to be distributed.The titah was delivered at the opening of the meeting for the Majlis Ugama Islam or Islamic ReligiousCouncil at the Legislative Council building.
Pointing to the huge balance, His Majesty asked if it is possible for this money, which in 2004 alone stood atover $200 million, to be distributed because there are apparently people who still need it, especially the poor,and those who are heavily burdened with debt or the al-gharimin.
In Islam, there are six rightful groups or asnaf that can receive the zakat and they include the fakir miskin(poor and needy), tithe collectors, Muallaf (Muslim converts), to redeem slavery, fisabilillah, ibnus sabil andal-gharimin.
The Islamic Religious Council is involved directly in the management of zakat collection in the country.
His Majesty believes that it will be momentous if Brunei can declare itself free of poverty even for a day if thebalance of zakat money can be used.
Is it not the principle of zakat to be distributed to the poor or the needy, even if it takes all of it? His Majestyasked at the meeting. He assured that the zakat coffer would never be empty so long as there are Muslimswho can contribute.
The Islamic Religious Council holds an immense role in handling all the problems that have religioussignificance and this role is far reaching.
His Majesty noted that the poor who are among the rightful group, as stipulated, are placed first on thepriority list to help them escape from the grip of debt.
His Majesty asked about the position of these people, especially in the "Hukum Zakat" (requirements), whoare considered poor and those in debt.
Among the queries raised was whether these people are given the zakat swiftly or if the assistance can bedelayed or postponed.
Similarly, can the zakat collection be expanded into some investment or any similar ways, while there stillexist people who needed assistance? asked the ruler.
His Majesty pointed to an issue with regards to the balance of zakat collection after distribution, whichapparently amounted to a hefty sum. According to a general audit for the 2004 figure, the amount stood at$239,631,073.56.
The monarch asked whether this amount was still available.
Touching again on this huge sum of zakat, His Majesty asked if all the rightful groups, in particular the needyand the al-gahrimin, have been given assistance to a point that there are none left to receive them, whichcontributed to the huge balance.
If this is the position in Brunei, where after all the groups received their rightful share of zakat adequatelyleaving behind a hefty balance, His Majesty asked whether the balance can be kept or should this balancebe distributed to other remaining groups or to those people who also have the right to it.
His Majesty sought an explanation on the undistributed balance of zakat.
"Has there been a study or has it been taken into account the rise or drop (of value) of the currency, asituation which is happening now as the world is experiencing an economic crisis.
"Who will be held responsible for the devaluation or losses, who can be punished or held responsible for thelosses?" His Majesty asked.
Other than focusing on the asnaf (eligible recipients of the zakat) who are poor, His Majesty asked aboutthose who suffer from debt (al-gharimin), in particular the conditions in which they are entitled to receive thezakat.
"Has there been any study on the position of these people who are unable to pay their debt such as thosewho are unable to pay for the government housing and others such as STKRJ, RPN, Yayasan HousingScheme and others?" queried His Majesty.
All the while, the share of the al-gharimin group have been given to those who have run into debt on buildingprojects such as the construction of mosques or schools.
In this regard, His Majesty saw the logic in also considering giving the al-gharimin share to those withoverdue debt or those who have to borrow because of personal problems.
His Majesty noted that poverty could be eradicated imme-diately if the balance of zakat is distributed to thepoor.
The ruler said that based on the calculation, we can declare the country free from poverty even just for aday. The monarch during the opening of 4th Legislative Council Meeting last year had laid out his vision tobring the nation's poverty level to zero.
Based on the total zakat balance, His Majesty said even if we have around 10,000 poor people or more, it ispossible that each head of family could receive around $20,000 each.
His Majesty said there could be concern that the zakat might be over but does this fear have any basis at all.
In His Majesty's view, the zakat is collected for the purpose of distributing it to the rightful groupssystematically. There should be no fear whatsoever concerning the zakat money running out so long asthere are Muslims and those who are blessed with "rezeki" or income shall always contribute to the zakat. |
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'Bruneianisation' Programme boosts local expertise in maritime industry
Marine Cadet Ak Nor Hazman bin Pg Haji Abdul Hamid receives his award from the Crown Prince. | 
A marine cadet carrying out his duties onboard a vessel. - PHOTOS COURTESY OF BGC | 
Pehin Adanan presents an award to Awang Muhammad Zulhilmi bin Awang Matassim. |
The Bruneianisation Programme was introduced in 1999 by the Board of Directors for Brunei Shell TankersSdn Bhd (BST) to overcome the issue of the lack of trained local seafarers as well as the perception that theseafaring career would be unattractive to Bruneians.The objective of the programme was to encourage locals to work onboard the ships that carried the Bruneianflag, thus providing opportunities for local young men to have a career in the maritime industry.
The programme provides the sponsorship for cadet training, whereselected candidates are sent for a three-year cadetship programme toundertake further academic and vocational studies at the WarsashMaritimeAcademy in the United Kingdom to meet the requirements as set by theInternational Maritime Organisation.In 2002, the programme was further expanded to include the recruitmentof ratings to serve all parts of theship's activities including deck, machinists and catering categories.
As of June 2005, Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd (BGC) took on the role of main service provider for BST,taking on the responsibility to oversee the progress of the programme. The number of seafarers employedtoday is an indication of the Bruneianisation Programme's success so far, with Brunei marine personneltotalling up to 299. Ninety-one of which consist of Marine Officers.
This stands as an indication that assumptions about a career in the maritime industry being unable tocompete with careers in other industries are untrue. Currently the company is capable of filling all SecondOfficers and Third Engineer positions onboard the vessels, and in addition, two Bruneian Second Engineers,in line with the future BLNG Vessel Renewal Plan's base assumptions of the operations of five vessels tocater for the Brunei LNG Project.
Several officers' efforts have been particularly exemplary. From the Marine Cadet Intake of Year 2000,Bruneian Marine Engineering Cadet Ak Nor Hazman bin Pg Haji Abdul Hamid, was awarded the BestNational Vocation Qualification ("NVQ") Portfolio by the Marine Society of the United Kingdom. This successwas repeated in 2005 and in 2007 when Awang Muhammad Zulhilmi bin Awang Matassim and AwangShalhamdulillah Zulhajji bin Sidi were each awarded with the Best NVQ Portfolio. In 2008, Awang AmirulFadli bin Hj Amir Abas was awarded the Best Engineering Cadet of the Year by Warsash Maritime Academy,the first time a Bruneian Marine Cadet has received such an award.
So far, the officers' progression continues in line with achieving the objective of having "the first BruneianShip Master and Chief Engineers by 2013". With regards to training, the officers are continuously sent toreceive training for higher certification.
In particular, 2/E Shamsul Othman is currently undergoing his Chief Engineering ticket course since January2009 while 2/E Eng Yih Chih will tentatively obtain his in the second quarter of 2009.
Meanwhile, 2/O Martin Liew is expected to obtain his Master ticket in the fourth quarter of this year. From2006 to 2008, 10 Ratings were promoted to Trainee Ship Administration Officers, where one was furtherpromoted to the position of Junior Ship Administration Officer. As part of concerted efforts to steer BGC intobecoming a Ship Management company, the officers have been training to prepare for the upcoming project.
The progress of the programme thus far is an indication that the aim of achieving the 'first Bruneian ChiefEngineers and Ship Master' by 2013 is getting closer to reality. With the BGC expansion in the horizon, itfurthers the ultimate objective of the programme to assist Brunei Darussalam as a whole in providing muchneeded expertise to the pool of local skilled professionals.
It is also envisioned that the aforementioned expansion will provide long-term career opportunities for theseafarers onshore.
The process of recruitment continues to be conducted in the search for young and capable local seafarers.With the educational and training opportunities provided under the programme to help develop and nurturelocal talents, it is hoped that these young men will continue to carry the reputation of the company and thenation as a reliable LNG supplier to their customers in the years to come, noting that LNG trade remains asignificant contributor to the sultanate's economy. |
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Category: Negeri & Negara
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Post time 11-1-2009 09:19 PM
Author
![[Disney+ 2024] LIGHT SHOP - Ju Ji Hoon, Park Bo Young, Bae Sung Woo, Uhm Tae Goo, Lee Jung Eun ~ 4 December 2024](https://uf.cari.com.my/forumx/mforum/block/fd/fdfd46198fa2f368ff33c7928ea7b9fe.jpg)
