His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzadien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and His Majesty King Abdullah the Second bin Al-Hussein, King of Jordan, visited the Temburong District to watch a military demonstration, Thursday. Before departing for Temburong, the Jordanian Monarch made a visit to the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah the Second at the Bolkiah Garrison. Soon after the arrival, the Monarchs proceeded to the royal dias to take the Royal Salute and signed the visit parchments.

From the Ministry of Defence, Their Majesties flew to Ulu Sungai Majiwan in the Temburong District. Their Majesties were briefed by the Acting Director of Operations at the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant Colonel Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Hassan before watching the jungle warfare demonstration by the Special Combat Squadron, SCS. The Monarchs also showed their shooting skills using small arms at close range target. The highlight of the visit was the presentation of the SCS Honorary Badge and Beret by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to His Majesty King Abdullah the Second. Before leaving Sungai Majiwan for Bangar Camp, doa selamat was read by a religious officer at the Ministry of Defence, Awang Arifin bin Amit.At the Bangar Camp, Their Majesties were greeted by the Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force, Colonel Pengiran Rosli Bin Pengiran Hj Chucu, and the Temburong District Officer, Pengiran Abdul Haris Pengiran Haji Shabudin. At the Officers’ Mess, both Their Majesties heard a briefing on the establishment of the Camp and its structure, followed by the signing of the visit parchments. After the briefing, Their Majesties consented to have a luncheon. A pesambah was presented to Their Majesties by the Commander of The Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Pehin Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Halbi. To mark the visit, both Their Majesties planted durian trees.
 

A Doa Selamat and Kesyukuran ceremony was held for Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Saa’datul Bolkiah who gave birth to a prince the 13th of Zulhijjah 1426 corresponding to 14th January. The prince is the fourth grandchild of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

The ceremony took place yesterday afternoon at Istana Nurul Iman, in the presence of Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz. The recitation of Surah al-Fatihah, led by Pehin Khatib Haji Mat Jaya, signalled the start of the ceremony.

Pehin Khatib Haji Mat Jaya led mosque officials to present the Dikir. The occasion was marked with a seventeen gun salute. The Doa Dikir was read by Pehin Khatib Haji Abdul Wahid. The State Mufti, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Abdul Aziz, read the Doa Selamat.

Among those present were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Councils, Deputy Ministers, Pengiran Peranakan, Pehin Manteri, Manteri Pedalaman, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has named His Majesty’s new grandson Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Abdul Haseeb, the fourth son of Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim 

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has been conducting a cost comparative study on various construction projects in the country involving government and privately-funded projects. The objective was to find a general parameter as to whether abnormal cost deviation in the projects of both sectors may be attributed to corruption. This was highlighted at a discussion on policy and construction procedure between ACB and government ministries and departments yesterday.

The Director of Anti Corruption Bureau, Datin Paduka Hajah Intan, emphasised that there are some lack of transparency in government procedures. In this regard, she lamented that deviant government servants may have taken the advantage of the situation. Meanwhile, Senior Special Investigator Awang Leslie Ho talked on the result of the research on “Preliminaries Cost Comparison in Construction Contract Document”.

He disclosed the finding showed that government projects are not unjustifiably expensive. He added that by using the unit cost of basic construction materials like concrete and steel, it does not indicate that the prices are artificially inflated for government projects.

The study highlighted pertinent issues which may require scrutiny and tightening of identified loopholes in the existing practises and procedures of government contracting system in order to minimise opportunities of corruption. Among those present at the session were the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Paduka Haji Sulaiman, and the Deputy Permanent Secretary Dayang Salbiah bin Haji Sulaiman.
 

A three-member delegation from the World Health Organisation, WHO, who are currently in the country, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health, Pehin Dato Paduka Hj Suyoi, this morning. Also present was the Deputy Minister of Health, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Hazair.

The delegation is in the country to look into ways on how the world body could be of support, to assess the capacity for Avian influenza surveillance and to review the draft of the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan as well as to have detailed discussions pertaining to Brunei Darussalam rapid response actions, antivirals, vaccines and other essential supplies.

Right after the courtesy call, the WHO consultants held a briefing with members of the National Committee on Bird Flu Pandemic. The Minister of Health in an exclusive Interview with RTB said that consultants applaud efforts by the Brunei government in formulating well-planned measures to counter any possible outbreak of Bird flu. He said the consultants were quite satisfied that what we have done very much in line with what WHO would have recommended. But of course they did also say that a few things still needed to be done.

First and foremost was to have a proper national preparedness plan which involve all other sectors which the Minister said his Ministry was moving into and there must be some kind of dry run to handle the situation incase there’s an outbreak. W-H-O also suggested the strengthening of the media committee because media play an important role in terms of assuring the public if there is an outbreak, what steps need to be taken or media can play a role in terms of informing the public is there is such an outbreak so the people will not become panicky and so on. 

The Minister of Culture Youths and Sports, Pehin Retired Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad called on the DPMM FC players to bring a meaniful victory in the upcoming Malaysian Premier league matches to meet the high expectation of football fans and the nation. Pehin made the call at a meeting with the players this morning. The Minister also reminded the players to work harder towards enhancing the quality of their game without compromising the team’s performance and the rules.

Pehin added, they must focussed more on their commitment and mental strength. Among those present at the meeting were the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youths and Sports, Dato Paduka Haji Yaakub, the President of BAFA, Pehin Dato Seri Paduka Haji Hussein. DPMM FC will meet Kelantan in the Malaysia Premier League match to be held
this Saturday at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Berakas.