His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Wednesday consented to continue his series of working visits to the Directorate of Operation of the Ministry of Defence at Bolkiah Garrison. 

The visit is a follow-up to His Royal Highness’s visits to the Ministry of Defence in January and February this year. His Royal Highness was greeted on arrival by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Pehin Retired Colonel Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yasmin; the Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Paduka Eusoff Agaki; the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Pehin Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Halbi; the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Paduka Haji Sulaiman and by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence; Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat as well as Deputy Permanent Secretaries at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Defence and senior officers of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

His Royal Highness’s visit began with a briefing on the structure and organisation of the Directorate of Operations delivered by its Acting Director, Lieutenant Colonel Haji Abu Bakar bin  Haji Hassan. His Royal Highness also consented to visit a Joint Operation Centre at the Directorate of Operations and to witness the set up and its manning. His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince later consented to sign the royal parchment to mark the working visit.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik has consented to attend the welcoming dinner for The Federation of British International Schools in South and East Asia ‘FOBISSEA’ under 15’s Games 2006. Upon arrival at the Jerudong Empire Hotel, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Principal, Chief Executive Office of the Jerudong International School, Mr John Price and members of the organizing committee. Also present were the Minister Of Health, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Suyoi and the Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that religious school pupils from pre-school to primary six as well as Arabic preparatory classes are also given the school leave. However, students attending religious classes at secondary schools such as the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College and the Syaiddina Othman Secondary school will not be affected. The leave will be effective as of today, 9 March until further notice.

Pehin Retired Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad, in his capacity as Chairman of Brunei Darussalam’s Employees Trust Fund, said social security institutions therefore have to ensure that they can guarantee an adequate standard of living for all, putting particular emphasis on the old-aged, disabled people, those with ill-health and other contingencies.

Awang Yusof Bin Haji Abdul Rahman emphasized the matter at the Pre-ASEAN Social Security Association, ASSA Board Meeting Seminar. In his welcoming speech, he also said all member institutions acknowledge the fact that several factors have rendered these traditional systems of economic security increasingly unworkable, among which is the disappearance of the extended family culture, a marked increase in life expectancy, urbanization process and the transformation of the majority of working population from self-employed agricultural workers to wage earners.

He said that today’s globalisation represents not only new external pressures which societies must adapt to, but also new domestic challenges and demands to which they must respond. Five speakers were invited to present their papers on various topics ranging from Pension fund Systems to Investment strategies.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports  said the impact of influence from Great Britain on the landscape of the country’s socio-politic, economy and education for nearly 80 years has been discussed in various aspects of research by historians. The findings of the research need to be disclosed to the public especially the young generation, so that the country’s history with Great Britain can be understood as to avoid deviations of historical facts.

The Director of Syariah Affairs said it is deemed high time for all parties especially those involved in the selling and processing of food to be aware of the needs and importance of practising cleanliness and purity in food preparations. Awang Haji Mohamad Zaimi bin Haji Talip underlined this at a Roadshow on Halal Certificate and Halal Label Order 2005.

The criteria of the skills test questions will be modified accordingly to the standard of the World Skill Competition for each of the skill areas.  Among others discussed at the meeting was the time for the test will be extended; marks allocations are being adjusted and the level of difficulty, skills and knowledge will also be maintained.

The application form can be obtained at the Training and Scholarship Division, Department of Islamic studies, Ministry of Religious Affairs, 14th Floor Block 2J Room 03, Condominium Jalan Ong Sum Ping.  Closing date for application is Thursday, 30 March 2006.

12 events were competed in the championship which was held at the Penanjong Garrison in Tutong. Prizes were presented by the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Pehin Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Halbi.