By command of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister’s Office hereby announces that His Majesty has consented to the confirmation of Awang Haji Abdul Majid bin Mangarshah, Acting Director of Narcotics Control Bureau as Director of Narcotics Control Bureau with effect from the first of this month.

Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha underlined that the strength and values of leadership are key issues for any organisations or movements. The challenges of leadership are many and they should be faced with a moral courage forged through understanding, and also a strength and will that is tempered with compassion. Her Majesty made the remarks at the Opening Ceremony of Leaders Gathering 2005 Brunei Darussalam, Monday.

Her Majesty the Raja Isteri said that good leaders must be able to both share and implement their visions, with innovation and creativity, in order to drive the success and achievements of their movement. Like many other mission and service movements, the Girl Guides and their leaders are facing ever increasing new challenges and responsibilities. Now more than ever, Her Majesty said, the motto ‘Be Prepared’ has become ever more relevant to meet the challenges and opportunities that the new millennium has brought upon the society.

Her Majesty noted that globalisation and advancements in technology have brought both challenges and opportunities. Her Majesty said, being able to harness the power of globalisation is in itself, one of the main challenges that faces the Girl Guides in their mission to develop girls and young women to their fullest potential as individuals and to lead them to become global citizens, whose care and understanding transcends national borders. Touching on whatever challenges come in the form of protecting their health standards, and ensuring a decent basic education or ensuring that their views are recognised.

Her Majesty advised them to make preparations by having faith not only in themselves but also to their team mates, and especially those who look for their guidance and direction. Her Majesty hoped that in the spirit of understanding and tolerance, all the leaders will be able to deepen the appreciation for each others views, cultures and values.
 

Upon arrival at The Mall in Gadong, Her Majesty, who is also the Royal Patron of the Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam, was greeted by members of the organising committee. Accompanying Her Majesty were members of the royal family.
 

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Dayang Hajah Fatimah binti Haji Ghani. Young guides or brownies of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation School led by His Majesty’s granddaughters, Princess Raheemah Sanaul Bolkiah and Princess Harisah Widadul Bolkiah presented the WAGGGS World Song and Asia Pacific Region Songs.

The Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam, Dayang Hajah Siti Hafsah among others said that as a full member of WAGGGS since 1996, Brunei Girl Guides Association has made commitments in focusing all its activities for girls and young women. The gathering is a Round Robin Project of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts or WAGGGS Asia-Pacific Region.

About 100 participants from Australia, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand and the host country attended the gathering. The one-week programme will include challenging activities at the Penanjong Camp and a dialogue session on ‘Facing Challenges and Opportunities in Good Faith’.
 

Her Majesty also consented to receive souvenir at the function. To bless the ceremony, doa selamat was read. It is hoped that the participants will take the gathering as an opportunity to improve and as a challenge in implementing the Asia Pacific Strategic Plan for the Triennium 2006 to 2008. WAGGGS has developed a strategic planning process which enables the organisation to focus on its future direction and develop strategies to meet the needs and aspirations of girls and young women in the 21st Century.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Brunei Darussalam and Thailand in 1983, bilateral ties have grown strength to strength. The Ambassador of Thailand said this during reception for the 78th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of the Kingdom of Thailand, Monday night. The reception was attended by the Minister of Communication, Pehin Dato Seri Haji Abu Bakar on behalf of His Majesty’s Government.

In his address, His Excellency Mr. Sornsilp Polteja further said that the bond of friendship has been made more and closer by the exchanges of visits and regular contacts between members of the royal families, leaders, high-ranking officials and the people of both sides. Brunei Darussalam and Thailand established formal relations in 1983. Thailand opened its Consulate General in Bandar Seri Begawan and Brunei Darussalam opened its government representative’s office in Bangkok that year and upgraded them as embassies in 1984. The function took place at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

The Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces said army officers should be more proactive and able to perform well in undertaking personal duties and responsibilities. They should approach every single duty with full commitment, professionalism and be willing to contribute ideas, and to challenge the current processes and procedures in where it is most appropriate. Major General Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi was speaking at the closing of the Junior Staff Course, Monday.
 

The Commander further urged officers to exemplify leaders who have visions, open minded and bold, as well as to adopt new ideas. The Pehin said that the RBAF needs soldiers and their leaders to possess right ethics so that they can operate together as disciplined credible Armed Forces.

The Junior Staff Course was attended by twenty officers from all services of RBAF. The two-month course was designed to prepare mid-grade officers in the knowledge, skills and attitude to become staff and executive officers. It also conducted overseas academic tour to Vietnam.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources said Brunei Darussalam’s population comprises 45 percent of young people under the age of 25. This clearly proves that youth are the most important assets of the country, and they are the ones who will inherit the leadership and become the implementer to all aspects of administration and management towards development, progress and the nation’s survival.

Dato Paduka Haji Mohamad Hamid who was speaking at the opening of the Development Program for Young Entrepreneurs for Secondary Schools nationwide Monday, also said investment towards the development of youth is the country’s priority.

Their positive contribution in the nation’s development is mostly needed especially in facing the current and future challenges. Among the challenges include increased unemployment and social problems among youths, and the need to prevent the misuse of drugs and criminal activities.

The six-day programme is being attended by more than 50 students from four secondary schools nationwide. It is one of the courses which is organised by the Sinaut Resource Centre in giving early awareness to students on the importance of entrepreneurship which the students need to be guided on from the early stage. The programme also includes activities like briefings, talks and visits to local industries and factories.

ASEAN has expressed thanks and appreciation to Brunei Darussalam for its contribution in coordinating the ASEAN Television News Exchange programme. Brunei Darussalam’s role was mentioned at the just concluded Seventh ASEAN Sub-Committee Meeting on Information in Indonesia.

The meeting in Bali was officially opened by the Indonesian Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Dr. Sofyan Djalil. He said media and communications play a critical role in establishing and sustaining ASEAN sense of identity, both individually and collectively. He also said that media and communications constitute a major and ever growing sector of economic activities.

The three-day meeting in Bali reviewed current projects of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Information of ASEAN-COCI and consider new project proposals. Among them are the Radio Programme of ASEAN in Action, the ASEAN Quiz, Information Seminar Series and ASEAN Journalists Visit Programme.

One of the key projects that has been coordinated by Radio Television Brunei since its inception in 1998 is the ASEAN Television News Exchange, ATN. Brunei Darussalam was represented by RTB’s Acting Deputy Director, Johari Achee who spoke of the role of ATN in promoting ASEAN awareness and cooperation.

Results of the Lower Secondary Assessment Examinations, PMB 2005 have been released. A total of four thousand four hundred and seventeen candidates or sixty-two point two-seven percent obtained at least three credits including one thousand three hundred and ninety-nine candidates or 19 point seven-two percent who obtained credits in eight to nine subjects.

From six thousand nine hundred and ninety-one schools candidates who sat for the examinations, five thousand three hundred and forty-seven candidates or seventy-six point four-eight percent are qualified to be promoted to Form Four to undergo an ‘O’ level course with the achievement comparable with last year’s achievement.

Six hundred and ninety-three candidates or nine point nine-one percent including four hundred and ninety-five government schools candidates and one hundred and ninety-eight non-government schools candidates obtained excellent results with Grade One and Grade Two in four to nine subjects. Eight schools - 3 in Brunei Muara, two in the Belait District, one in Temburong and one in Tutong obtained 100% passes.

Police are seeking assistance from the public in tracing a man who ran away from his place of employment. 33-year-old Indonesian, Mohd. Nazri Subagio was last seen at the Bandar Seri Begawan’s bus stand area on the 17th of October.

Anyone with any information of his whereabouts may contact the Lamunin Police Station in Tutong at numbers 4237202 or Hotline 993 or any nearby police station.