His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has assured that Brunei Darussalam will work with fellow OIC members to meet challenges highlighted in the organisation’s Ten-Year Programme of Action. This is to assure the success of the programme meant as a blueprint for confronting the massive challenges Muslims face in political, economic, cultural and scientific fields. In his speech, His Majesty stated that Brunei Darussalam would do all it can to live up to these expectations to make the modern world not a fearful one but one in which Muslims were able to offer mankind the benefits of their experience, insights and talents as well as the full riches of their sacred beliefs.
 

His Majesty made the remarks Wednesday at the general debate on the first day of the 3rd Extraordinary Summit of the OIC in the Holy City of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. His Majesty said that the OIC Ten-Year Programme of Action underlines the commitment of the member countries to be part of the modern world to have a just share of it and play their
part in its leadership. Earlier, His Majesty

described the Makkah Summit as extraordinary and called the so-called “Global Village” as a fact of life. OIC member states task is to make the global village work for everyone - for Muslims to be confident citizens, making their own special contribution. The two-day extraordinary summit at the Al-Safa Palace was officially opened Wednesday morning.
 

His Majesty was greeted on arrival by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, as the host. His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade is also at the summit, which brought together more than 40 heads of state and government of OIC nations. The summit was officially opened by His Majesty King Abdullah who expressed hope that it

would strengthen Islamic unity and enable OIC countries to play an effective role on the world stage. The opening ceremony followed with Zuhur prayer and the unveiling of the commemorative plaque of the construction of the new OIC Headquarters. The Makkah Summit is held to review the current state of the Islamic ummah and to explore horizons for the evolvement of a vision that would enable the ummah to face up to the challenges of the present day and the future. During the gathering, His Majesty and other OIC leaders will try to tackle the tough issues facing the Muslim world, taking into consideration political, economic, social and cultural aspects of the OIC member nations.

While attending the Extraordinary Summit, His Majesty held bilateral talks with two OIC leaders. His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade was also present. Late Wednesday afternoon, His Majesty granted an audience to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Her Excellency Begum Khaleda Zia. During the talk, His Majesty and Her Excellency exchanged views on efforts to enhance bilateral relations. Her Excellency was elected as the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 1991. Ten years later, she was elected Premier for the third time. Bangladesh joined the OIC in 1974.

A separate talk with the President of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev followed. During the meeting, His Majesty thanked His Excellency for inviting His Majesty to visit Azerbaijan. Both leaders exchanged views on efforts to enhance relations between the two countries such as in the areas of investment and tourism. His Excellency was appointed as President of Azerbaijan two years ago. Azerbaijan joined the OIC in 1991.

Last night, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended a dinner banquet with other OIC leaders. Also present was His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The reception was hosted by the Custodians of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. It took place at the Mina Palace in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

During the general debate session Wednesday, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in his remarks, felt that the conference in the Holy City of Makkah had been a rare and moving experience and produced feelings of deep privilege and humility. His Majesty expressed his gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah and the people of Saudi Arabia for the warm and generous hospitality that was provided not just for this occasion but also at other countless times.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Deputy Sultan, Wednesday consented to receive in audience the outgoing Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Christian David Bennett. The audience took place at the Istana Nurul Iman.
 

His Excellency has been in Brunei since February 2004. Present at the audience was the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Adnan, Wednesday made a working visit to the Fire Services Department which is under his ministry. During the visit, the Minister was briefed on the infrastructure, strategic planning and Action Plan of the Fire Services Department by the Acting Director of Fire Services, Awang Haji Johari bin Jaludin. He also elaborated on the department’s development so far and the plans and projects under the 8th and 9th National Development Plans.
 

The Minister of Home Affairs also had a closer look at the duties and responsibilities of the personnel. The Operations Room is the nucleus which first receives any emergency calls regarding fire outbreaks, accidents and any support assistance needed. Personnel manning emergency responses are fully trained with multi-skills. There are now some 120 women fire personnel absorbed into the operations division. Radio communication has been up-dated and made more convenient with the employment of the National Digital Communications System.

The Short Message Service or SMS Brunei Prihatin for the National Orphans Fund has raised a total of over one hundred and eighty-three thousand dollars from the public. A hand-over ceremony was held Wednesday. The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Retired Major General Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad in his address said that the good and positive response from members of the public in donating to the fund

demonstrated the effectiveness of the SMS service and he hoped the method could be extended in raising fund for other charities. The Minister received a cheque for one hundred and eighty-three thousand five hundred and seventeen dollars from the Chief Operations Officer of DST, Awang Marsat bin Haji Ismail.
 

The function was followed with the launching of the Short Message Service or SMS Brunei Prihatin for the Pakistani Earthquake Humanitarian Fund. This is to facilitate members of the public who wish to contribute to the fund. Brunei Darussalam has set-up the Pakistani Earthquake Humanitarian Fund since last October, for six months. To date, it has collected 17 thousand 700 dollars. A number of efforts to raise money for the fund have also been made such as by organising charity work apart from putting-up collection boxes at mosques, suraus, banks, shopping complexes and public buildings. The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan to Brunei Darussalam, Mr. Sayed Abrar Hussien was at the function.

Since becoming a member of the ASEAN Schools’ Sports Council twenty years ago, Brunei Darussalam has been able to foster a closer friendship with other ASEAN member countries. This is especially so in enhancing physical education development, and skills in sports among student participants. Through sporting activities, the ASEAN Schools’ Sports Council has been able to promote cooperation, good-will and understanding among ASEAN youth.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Mohammad, also President of the ASEAN Schools Sports Council in an interview with RTB, said the council can help in efforts towards enhancing the standard of sports in this country. It also provides an opportunity to learn in-depth about sports of developed countries while giving serious attention to the physical development and sports among ASEAN youth. He said that by sending officials or teachers to undergo trainings or courses overseas, they gained benefits through them, as do sports instructors and managers. This approach enables Brunei Darussalam to move abreast of other countries as it does not want to lag behind in sports. It is the country’s aspiration to encourage sports among the population.

Regulatory authorities and producers of cosmetic products must ensure that the products are of good quality, safe and substantiate their claimed benefits. The Ministry of Health’s Acting Permanent Secretary made the call at the opening of the 4th ASEAN Cosmetic Scientific Body Meeting, 5th ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality and ASEAN Cosmetic Committee Meeting, Wednesday.

Awang Yusof bin Amba further said that the government of His Majesty through the Ministry of Health will continue to give its full support towards achieving the aims of the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, ACD. The country is currently in the process of formulating the control of cosmetic products in line with the ACD. The meetings organised by the Department of Pharmaceutical Services among other things aimed to study the feasibility of harmonization of the different conformity assessment and technical regulations governing the cosmetic industry amongst ASEAN member countries. The three-day meeting is being held at a hotel in Jerudong.

The current gathering of leaders of the Round Robin Project of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts or WAGGGS of the Asia-Pacific will gain additional credibility, new insights and greater impact especially on the development of women. The participants come from a diversity of backgrounds and cultures.
 

Wednesday, the participants held a dialogue session which enables them to discuss, exchange views and opinions on the given topics. In line with the goal of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, that is to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential, the area of concern is now on the approach in how to develop the leadership potential of young women. The focus areas are in the training of leaders, bringing forth the role of leadership, selection of leaders and their succession as well as effective plannings. The dialogue also provided participants the opportunities to get involved in decision making.

Energy efficiency and conservation are key components of the Ministry of Energy’s mission. The ministry 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.

Electricity is a basic part of nature and is one of the most widely used forms of energy. 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 consumers’ electricity bills, and help the nation in protecting the environment and safeguarding the future of natural oil and gas.

According to a study by the Electrical Services Department, 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.

Over the past 5 days, a total of 32 cases of road accidents were recorded by the Royal Brunei Police Force. Thirteen cases involved car to car accidents while the remainder were self-accidents. The police reminded the public, especially motorists, to drive with extra care especially during the current wet spells. The continuous rainy weather may cause roads to be slippery and dangerous. Motorists are also advised to be extra cautious when approaching accident-prone areas and observed road-signs for the safety of all.