His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam expresses his satisfaction with the warm and friendly relations and deep understanding that have so long been established between Brunei Darussalam and the Union of Myanmar. His Majesty also expresses the hope that this would be maintained and enhanced in the future for the good of the two countries and the people of both nations. His Majesty conveys his wishes in his congratulatory messages to the Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency General Soe Win and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe on the occasion of the Independence Day Anniversary of the Union of Myanmar.

In his message, His Majesty hopes that Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency General Soe Win would always remain in good health and happiness. His Majesty also wishes the people of the Union of Myanmar to enjoy continued progress and prosperity.

In a similar congratulatory message to Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe, His Majesty congratulates His Excellency and the Government and People of the Union of Myanmar on the occasion of the Independence Day Anniversary of the Union of Myanmar. His Majesty expresses his satisfaction with the warm and friendly relations that have been long established between the two countries. His Majesty also expresses his wish that this will be maintained and enhanced in the future for the mutual benefit of the two countries and the people of both nations. His Majesty also hopes that the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe would remain in good health and happiness. His Majesty also expresses his wish that the people of the Union of Myanmar would continue to enjoy continued progress and prosperity.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade also sends a congratulatory message to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Major General Nyan Winon on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar.

In his message, His Royal Highness expresses pleasure working with His Excellency during the past year and appreciates the warm and friendly relations between the two countries. His Royal Highness looks forward to continuing efforts to strengthen friendship and cooperation both bilaterally and at the regional level.

Some ten parking lots around Bandar Seri Begawan under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Department have been privatised to the Metro Parking Company Sendirian Berhad that takes over control of the service as of Monday. The signatories involved in the transfer were the Acting Chairman of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board, Awang Haji Nairul Annuar bin Haji Lahai and the Manager of Metro Parking, Awang Yusuf bin Ismail. In taking up the move, the Municipal Department believes that the system a “User Friendly” concept will only require motorists to collect tickets at the dispensing post upon entering and pay the attendants on their way out.

Prior to the setting up of the system, motorists had to look for parking attendants to make payments. The charge rate remains the same at 50 cents for every half hour or 85 dollars for daily parking from seven in the morning until six in the evening plus 30 dollars refundable card deposit. Residents of Kampong Ayer will be charged season parking of 50 dollars per month plus a deposit of 30 dollars. Those who need to go to their place of work in the

Temburong District and had to leave their vehicles along Jalan Residency Satu, Dua and Tiga will be levied a special payment of 30 dollars per month. Parking coupons at special rates are also offered to shopkeepers who wish to offer free parking to their customers. The ten parking areas involved are the Passengers Pier at Jalan McArthur, the former Royal Customs and Excise site at Jalan McArthur, the Customs Wharf, also at Jalan McArthur, the former site of the Public Works Department, Jalan McArthur, the Municipal Hall at Jalan Elizabeth Dua, the Electrical Services Department at Jalan Elizabeth Dua, the Dewan Majlis at Jalan Kianggeh, and Residency Satu, Residency Dua, and Residency tiga, all at Jalan Residency.

Commencing from the first of January this year, a new regulation is enforced in the issuance of application forms to operate businesses at the Night Market at the parking lots of the Gadong Wet Market. The rental for each stall is thirty dollars per month or three hundred and sixty dollars a year, in addition of ten dollars per year for the license fee. Each license holder is entitled to a two year lease. The Night Market is aimed at assisting local small and medium enterprises promote their products. On sale are clothing, accessories, home decorative items and such like. Thirty-six booths have been made available by the Municipal Department at the site.

According to the Acting Assistant Municipal Officer Grade One, Awang Ali Hussein bin Haji Besar, the permanent structure was set up following the surprise visit of His Majesty on the 3rd of September during which His Majesty graciously approved for the setting up of such a structure and supply of electricity in the vendoring area.

A number of activities are being organised to collect money for the Pakistan Humanitarian Earthquake Relief Fund, one of which is the SMS Brunei Prihatin. An international sale was held Tuesday, the proceeds of which will go to the fund. The Acting Chairman of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board, Awang Haji Nairul Anwar bin Haji Abdul Lahai officiated at the event.

In his address, the guest of honour stressed that Brunei Darussalam together with other countries have announced its commitment to give assistance to the victims according to each nation’s capability through government and non-government organisations. Around 30 local and foreign entrepreneurs are involved in the 10-day international sale at the Bumiputera Commercial Complex. A vast range of items from clothing to jewelleries and home equipments are on sale. 20 percent from proceeds of the sale will be donated to the Pakistan Humanitarian Earthquake Relief Fund.