His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, and Yang Teramat Mulia Azrinaz Mazhar binti Hakim Mazhar, have left Kuala Lumpur, after the completion of the 11th ASEAN Summit, Summits with Dialogue Partners and the First East Asia Summit. Before the departure, doa selamat was read by the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Abdul Aziz.
 

In the royal entourage were His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malek, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Mutawakillah Hayatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah. Present at Malaysia Air Force Subang Airport to bid farewell to His Majesty were Malaysia’s Minister of Education, Dato Seri Hishamuddin bin Tun Hussein.
 

Also present were Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner to Malaysia His Excellency Dato Seri Setia Dr. Hj Mohd Amin and officials of Brunei Darussalam’s High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. The theme of the 11th ASEAN Summit was ‘One vision, One Identity, One Community’.
 

At the meeting the leaders reviewed the progress of the implementations of various programmes undertaken within ASEAN, particularly ASEAN integration and community building efforts. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the threat of terrorism, maritime security, infectious diseases and natural disaster.

One of the important outcomes of the ASEAN Summit was the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Charter which will serve as a legal and institutional framework of ASEAN towards realising its goals.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah at the summit emphasised that the enhancing cooperation in the transportation, communication and ASEAN Exchange Programme involving the youth and culture would help promote the realisation of the sense of belonging to the ASEAN Community. His Majesty also joined other ASEAN leaders in summit meetings with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, China, Japan, Republic of Korea and India.

Two important documents were signed also by the leaders namely the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the ASEAN+3 Summit and Framework Agreement on the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Economic Cooperation. ASEAN leaders also held a meeting with their counterpart from Russia, the first ASEAN-Russia Summit.

Another historic event at this year’s Summit was the holding of the first East-Asia Summit, EAS. The EAS brought together leaders of ASEAN member countries, Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea and New Zealand. At the meeting the leaders exchanged views on regional and international political and economic issues, as well as on the challenges facing the region and the world, including international terrorism, maritime security and infectious diseases.

They also discussed on how the EAS could complement existing regional processes and contribute toward the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. The leaders also adopted the EAS Declaration on Avian Influenza Prevention, Control and Response.

At the end of the meeting, the Leaders of the EAS participating countries signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the East Asia Summit which outlines the principles and purposes and areas of cooperation of the EAS as well as the desire to create a peaceful environment by further enhancing cooperation and strengthening the existing bonds of friendship among EAS countries in keeping with the principles of equality, partnership, consultation and consensus thereby contributing to peace, security and economic prosperity in the region and the world at large.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam expresses satisfaction with the warm, friendly relations and deep understanding - long established between Brunei Darussalam and the Kingdom of Bahrain. His Majesty prays they are maintained and enhanced for the good of the two countries and people.
 

His Majesty conveys his wishes in congratulatory messages to His Majesty Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain and Prime Minister, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, on the occasion of the Kingdom’s National Day.

In the message, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam prays that His Majesty Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa remain in good health and happiness and for people’s continued progress and prosperity. In a message to the Prime Minister of Bahrain, His Majesty congratulates His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the government and people of Bahrain on the occasion of their National Day.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade also sent a congratulatory message to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa. His Royal Highness presents his warmest respects to His Majesty King Hamad and the kingdom’s royal family.

His Royal Highness also expresses his congratulations and best wishes to His Excellency Shaikh Khalid, the government and people of Bahrain on the occasion of their National Day. His Royal Highness also extends his appreciation on the shared friendly relations shared and wishes His Excellency continued success in the coming year.

Penghulu and Ketua Kampong in the country are reminded to always ensure that the unity among the kampong and mukim residents and among the leaders themselves continue to exist and maintained.

The Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs made the reminder at a function to present certificate to the new village head of Kampong Bengkurong Friday.

Touching on the issue of social problems and crimes in the country, particularly that involved youths, Dato Paduka Haji Adnan said the problems should not be left solely to the relevant authorities in the government to handle. It requires full cooperation from all levels of society in order to overcome those problems effectively.
 

Prior to the appointment Kampong Bengkurong was under the supervision of the Penghulu of Mukim Kilanas since last year after, the then Village Head, Awang Haji Pudin bin Samat, retired.

Kampong Bengkurong is one of the villages under Mukim Kilanas with a population of more than three thousand eight hundred people. The kampong is well provided with public amenities by His Majesty’s Government such as school, mosque, electricity, roads and other facilities.

The residents of the kampong are quite active in organising various community, religious, welfare events led by the Village Consultative Council.

About 900 pilgrims will perform the haj in the Holy City of Makkah Al-Mukarramah this season. The first flight of 249 pilgrims left the country Friday night. As of last year, Brunei pilgrims are directly flown by Royal Brunei Airlines, to Medina Al-Munawarah.

The second flight is due to depart on Tuesday; the third on Thursday and the fourth will leave on the 25th of this month. The pilgrims are reminded to check in their baggage a day before departure.

Starting from the last week of November, Newscentre, Radio Television Brunei had collaborated with the Minister of Energy in the officiating of the Energy Awareness Month. We are delighted to report that since starting the series of Energy Saving reports, electrical usage has actually gone down in Brunei Darussalam.

This was according to statistics given by the Electrical Services Department. From 1st of December 2005 to 14th of December 2005, Energy consumption in the Nation was shown to be reduced on average by 10 megawatts daily as compared to November, last month.

Remember, by conserving energy, it will not only greatly reduce the cost of consumers’ electricity bills, but also help our nation in protecting the environment and safeguarding the future of our non-renewable natural oil and gas.

Meanwhile, Officers from the Electrical Services Department in cooperation with the ASEAN Center for Energy or ACE for short and Energy Conservation Center of Japan or ECCJ, has now started it series of conservation oriented road shows on businesses in Brunei Darussalam. The basic idea behind the visit, is to impress the principle by creating and maintaining an energy efficient environment.