His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam greatly values the warm and friendly relations and deep understanding that had long been established between Brunei Darussalam and the United Arab Emirates. His Majesty prays that this would be maintained and enhanced in the future for the good of the two countries and people.
 

His Majesty conveys the wishes in congratulatory messages to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi and to His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the Ruler of Dubai on the occasion of the Emirates National Day. In his message to the Emirates’ President, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam prays to Allah the Al-mighty that His Highness would remain well and happy and for the people of the United Arab Emirates to enjoy continued progress and prosperity.
 

In the message to His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, His Majesty congratulates His Highness and the Government and People on the occasion of their National Day. His Majesty expresses his satisfaction with the warm and friendly relations that had long been established between the two countries. His Majesty also expresses the wish that this would be maintained and enhanced in the future for the mutual benefit of the two countries and people. His Majesty prays to Allah the Al-mighty for the continued good health and happiness of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai and for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of the United Arab Emirates.

In another message, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam expresses his satisfaction with the warm and friendly relations and deep understanding between Brunei Darussalam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic at the bilateral level and in ASEAN. His Majesty hopes that this would be maintained and enhanced in the future for the good of the two countries and people.

His Majesty conveys his wishes in congratulatory messages to His Excellency Khamtay Siphandone, President of Lao People’s Democratic Republic and to His Excellency Bounnhang Vorachith, the Prime Minister on the occasion of the country’s National Day. His Majesty hopes that His Excellency Khamtay Siphandone, the President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic would always be well and happy and for the people of Laos to enjoy continued progress and prosperity.

In a similar message to His Excellency Bounnhang Vorachith, His Majesty congratulates the Prime Minister and the Government and People of Laos on the occasion of the National Day Anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
His Majesty expresses his satisfaction with the warm and friendly relations that had long been established between the two countries. His Majesty also expresses the wish that this be maintained and enhanced in the future for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples. His Majesty also wishes His Excellency Bounnhang Vorachith, the Prime Minister lasting good health and happiness and for the prosperity of the people of Laos.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade meanwhile sends a message of congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates on the occasion of the UAE’s National Day. His Royal Highness expresses happiness with the excellent friendly relations between the two countries and looks forward to continuing to strengthen the friendship and cooperation.
 

In a separate message to His Excellency Rashid Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, expresses his appreciation on the excellent relations shared by the two countries and looks forward to many future opportunities to enhance the valued ties.
 

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade also sends a congratulatory message to His Excellency Somsavat Lengsavad, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao people’s Democratic Republic on the occasion of the country’s National Day. In his message, His Royal Highness expresses his appreciation for all the hard work done in the ASEAN Standing Committee. His Royal Highness wishes His Excellency much success in all work during the coming year.

A five-day workshop on collections of Brunei Malay’s Heritage and Folklore is currently underway. It was officially launched Friday by Awang Haji Sumadi bin Sukaimi, as a Representative of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Awang Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal.
 

In his address, Awang Haji Sumadi said that not only is the workshop important for participants in gaining in-depth knowledge of the subject but is also beneficial to researchers in this field. He stressed the importance in making the nation’s culture and its society as a pillar of strength in enhancing integrity and polarities of the mind towards nation building. The workshop is facilitated by Professor Dr. James Collins, a researcher and author of books mainly on Language and Linguistic. During the workshop, he will share his knowledge and guide the participants who are mainly local writers in the skills of writing and research.

A blessing ceremony was held Friday for intending pilgrims among personnel and ex-personnel of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and civilian staff of the Ministry of Defence. The ceremony called ‘Jiwa Murni’ was held at the Berakas Garrison’s Surau. A total of 29 personnel and ex-personnel of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the civilian personnel of the Ministry of Defence will be performing the Haj this year.
 

The intending pilgrims also received gifts including medical packs. The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat was the guest of honour. Also present were the Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Colonel Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud and other senior staff.

Energy efficiency and conservation are key components of the Ministry of Energy’s mission. The Ministry of Energy with the collaboration of Radio Television Brunei in its weekly Consumer News launches an Energy Awareness Month to educate Bruneian families, businesses and government agencies about the importance of energy savings. There is a worldwide need to reduce the amount of energy consumed, and everyone have their part to play, whether in businesses, government or at home. And this is no exception to Brunei Darussalam. In the sultanate, electrical power comes from the conversion of natural oil and gas, which are burnt to generate electricity. By creating and maintaining an energy efficient environment, it can greatly reduce the cost of consumers’ electricity bills, and help the nation in protecting the environment and safeguarding the future of natural oil and gas. Electricity is a basic part of nature and it is one of our most widely used forms of energy.
 

According to the study by the Electrical Services Department, Ministry of Energy, Energy consumption in Brunei Darussalam is one of the highest in the region. From statistics given by the department, the monthly electricity bill for an average household is between $60 to $70. Unfortunately, a large portion of this energy is wasted. Energy conservation remains a tough sell for many consumers because electricity rates in Brunei remain relatively low as compared to other countries. The Electrical Services Department revealed that the department has recorded debts in arrears of unpaid electricity bills amounting to 250 million Brunei dollars, of which 150 million dollars is owed by the government and 100 million dollars by public. Energy education starts at home. Home provides a unique opportunity to enable future consumers and policymakers to fully understand the energy issue and its importance to environmental protection and fiscal health.

Safety is one of the utmost important factors in life that everyone must take into account. Without safety procedures, unnecessary accidents can happen. Friday, a private firm, SKS Wood’s Company received an Award for Its Outstanding Achievement in Safety Milestone of 2 Million Man-Hours without Recordable Cases. The Chairman of SKS Wood, Yang Amat Mulia Penigran Anak Haji Abdul Wadood Bolkiah received the Safety Plague for Two Million Man-Hours Achievement Award from the Asset Director of Brunei Shell Petroleum Company, Awang Haji Salleh Bostamam bin Haji Zainal Abidin.
 

The award signifies the achievement of SKS Wood Company in maintaining an excellent Health and Safety Record in Work Performance and Environment for Two Million Working Hours, which include 100 thousand days of work and 27 thousand 200 offshore journeys. The company is one of BSP’s company contractors.

DPMM FC Brunei will open their account in the league by hosting Terengganu tomorrow. The first match will take place at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas. For the 2005/2006 Malaysian League Season, Brunei DPMM FC is drawn in Group A alongside Johor, Pulau Pinang NTFA, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak UPB, Kedah and Sarawak. In the tournament, Brunei players are now participating under the name of Brunei DPMM FC replacing the Brunei National Team.
 

In connection with the Premier League, the signing of contract for players and head coach of DPMM FC Brunei was held Friday. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim, Vice Chairman of the DPMM FC. The contract from the DPMM FC Brunei was then handed over to the Darussalam Football Association, BAFA. BAFA’s Vice-President, Pengiran Haji Mohamad Yussof bin Pengiran Haji Bahar who is also the Chairman of BAFA’s Committee, received the contract from the Manager of DPMM FC Brunei, Awang Haji Eady Sardi. A total of twenty-five players including five import players, Johney Mansulok, Rene Komar, Goran Vujanovic, Rodrigo Lombardo Antonio Tosi and Ranko Byuketa.

The Aikido Federation of Brunei Darussalam is holding an intensive training and seminar as well as demonstrations at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas from the second until the 4th of this month. Last night, a demonstration of the Aikido incentive training began. Three Aikido trainers from Kuching, Sarawak presented the demonstration.
 

Aikido which originated from Japan is not primarily a system of combat, but rather a means of self-cultivation and improvement. It has no tournaments, competitions, contests or ‘sparring’. Instead all aikido techniques are learned cooperatively at pace commensurate with the abilities of each trainee. According to the founder, the goal of aikido is not the defeat of others but the defeat of the negative characteristics which inhibit one’s own mind and inhibit its functioning.