Sunday, 17th March 2006

NEWS:- Sunday, 17th March 2006

Second session of Brunei Darussalam Legislative Council continues

The First Meeting of the Second Session of the Brunei Darussalam Legislative Council continues at the International Convention Centre in Berakas. The Minister of Education, Pehin Dato Seri Haji Awang Abdul Rahman in his opening remarks proposed that the Council conveys their gratitude to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for His Majesty’s consent to open the meeting and deliver a titah.

At the deliberations, the Councilors all supported the motion thanking His Majesty for the titah. Generally, the members, ex-officio and appointed, touched on His Majesty’s leadership and vision that has brought stability, security, development and prosperity to the people. The Councilors regard the titah as reflecting His Majesty’s love and concern for the citizens and residents of the country.

In the afternoon, the meeting continued with the Second Minister of Finance, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Rahman tabling an Act to Supply a Sum out of the Consolidated Fund for the Service of the Financial Year 2006/2007, and to appropriate such sum for certain purposes.

In his deliberation, the Pehin also explained on the importance of strengthening the private sector towards opening more jobs opportunities for locals, apart from expediting the economic diversification programme.

The Speaker then announced for the Act to be evaluated in a committee meeting. After the committee discussions, the Speaker adjourned the Legislative Council until the next day.

Crown Prince grants audiences to newly appointed Brunei Envoys to friendly nations

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Thursday consented to receive in audience the newly appointed Brunei Darussalam’s High Commissioner, Permanent Representative and Ambassadors to friendly nations.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah consented to receive in audience the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, His Excellency Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Maidin bin Pengiran Haji Hashim; Permanent Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the United Nations in New York, His Excellency Doctor Haji Emran bin Bahar; the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Retired Brigadier General Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof bin Abu Bakar and the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Cambodia, Her Excellency Pengiran Hajah Basmillah binti Pengiran Haji Abbas.

The newly appointed High Commissioner, Permanent Representative and Ambassadors received their letters of credential from His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on the 7th of this month. Present at the audience ceremony was the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar. The audience took place at the Istana Nurul Iman.

JTB to be corporatised starting April 1st

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to the corporatisation of the Telecommunication Department, or JTB with effect from the 1st of next month.

The Department of Economic Planning and Development of the Prime Minister’s Department in its media release says that the corporatisation will be enforced through three legislations, namely the Telecommunication Successor Company Order, 2001; the Telecommunications Order, 2001 and the Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam Order, 2001. The corporatisation of JTB is part of the government’s efforts to implement the privatisation programme under the National Development Plan.

With the corporatisation of the department, the info-communication technology industry regulatory and promotion functions will be handled by the Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry, AiTi. Meanwhile JTB’s functions in delivering telecommunications services will be transferred to Syarikat Brunei Berhad, TelBru. In this regard, the public is assured that JTB corporatisation will not disrupt the provision and delivery of telecommunications and other customer-related services.

Ministry of Finance announces amendment of five Financial Orders

By command of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Ministry of Finance informs that five orders and regulations have been legislated and amended. The orders and regulations which were enforced on the 4th of this month can strengthen the government’s supervision and monitoring on activities and operations conducted by banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, importers and exporters as well as members of the public in the country. Besides ensuring the well-arranged implementations are according to guidelines, the Ministry of Finance said it is also aimed at assisting and maintaining the public interest.

The order and regulations are Banking Order 2006 and Banking Regulations 2006 among others underlines that every banking companies operating their businesses in the country should provide cash capital of one hundred thousand Brunei dollars for local banks, whilst for foreign banks which has branches in the country should have cash capital for group not less than one billion Brunei dollars.

Insurance Order 2006 and Insurance Regulations 2006 among others fixes capital for insurance companies amounting to eight million dollars, insurance brokers two hundred thousand dollars. Insurance adjusters are also requested to deposit in cash or bankers’ guarantee with the authority to meet the claims and compensations if an insurance company goes bankrupt.

Finance Companies Act (Amendment) Order 2006 is implemented to ensure that financial position of the finance companies are always strong so that they can maintain and guarantee the prosperity of the people. Under this Amendment Act, the minimum capital rate at present has been upgraded from one million to 25 million dollars.

Hire Purchase Order 2006 meanwhile provide allocation which enable the Ministry of Finance make relevant regulations, ensuring the type and contain of hire purchase agreement are clear and well-arranged which underline the interest and rights of involved parties in the agreement and supervise the minimum deposit rate.

The last order is the Custom Order 2006 and Excise Order 2006. The objectives of these orders are to update and coordinate with the laws and practices of international custom and excise. They are also to enable the Royal Custom and Excise Department implemented its responsibility wisely particularly in collecting revenue, enforcing laws and regulations and providing business facilities.

Over 200 school coordinators attend health briefing

School coordinators who are made up of teachers responsible in aiding the Ministry of Education in monitoring and managing the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease were given a further briefing on signs and the danger of the disease. The briefing was a follow-up action and a continuous joint effort between the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health in their endeavour to involve all parties particularly schools in shouldering the responsibility and play their respective role. Apart from this, the ministries have also enhanced other precautionary and control measures in order to prevent the disease from spreading further. The briefing was delivered by the Ministry of Health’s medical officers.

More than two hundred school coordinators from high educational institutions, colleges, secondary and primary schools as well as private educational institutions attended the briefing. They were selected by their respective schools and colleges and will take in-charge in the monitoring and handling of any problems arises from the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease when schools reopen after the current break. Among their tasks are to ensure that pupils and students continuously observe the cleanliness of their schools’ compounds, hostels, classrooms, canteens and other areas of their schools as well as to observe self-hygiene by washing hands with soap after using the washrooms or toilets.

Belait District discusses events to be planned for royal birthday

The Executive Committee of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 60th Birthday Celebration for the Belait District held a meeting Thursday to hear reports and review the latest development from the Committee Chairman of every celebrative event. Nearly 30 events have been line-up for His Majesty’s birthday celebration in the Belait District this year. One of the events which was discussed at the meeting was the “Majlis Ramah Mesra Bersama Rakyat” or the get-together ceremony with the rakyat. The event will be held at Padang Bandaran in Kuala Belait.

Preparation for the events is well-underway which include the construction of a permanent royal dias. Several proposed new events such as a Trade Expo, a soccer tournament and fireworks display were discussed at the meeting. The meeting which was at the Dewan Santap in Kuala Belait was chaired by the Acting Belait District, Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Abdul Rahman.

Land Transport Department opens tenders for vehicle registration numbers

The Land Transport Department, Ministry of Communication has open tenders for vehicle registration number series BAA11 until BAA6000 and KK11 to KK6000. Application forms and details of the tender can be obtained from the Land Transport Department Headquarters at Jalan Beribi, Land Transport Department’s Brunei /Muara District Branch and Belait Branch.

Every applicant also should provide service payment of twenty-five dollars. The price for every tender should not less than one hundred dollars. Tenders must be send to the Tender Box, Ground Floor, Land Transport Department Headquarters, Jalan Beribi, Gadong. Tenders will be received from the 20th of this month while the closing date is on the 8th April at 12 noon.

END OF NEWS

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