His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Thursday consented to make a working visit to Mukim Pekan Tutong. His Majesty’s arrival at the Kampung Penanjong Primary School was welcomed by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Adanan and his deputy, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Dani. Also welcoming His Majesty were the Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries at the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Home Affairs and the Tutong District Officer.

His Majesty’s itinerary began with a visit to a building housing of the Kampung Penanjong Pemudi-Pemuda Association of Tutong, PERDA, before stopping over at the residence of Head Village of Kampung Penanjong Tutong, Awang Ahmad Juriah bin Haji Ibrahim. The Monarch also visited the Coastal Erosion Control Project along Kampung Penanjong Beach. His Majesty then proceeded to the Muda Hashim Secondary School, where His Majesty had a closer look at the facilities and the learning environment and took time to mingle with the teachers and students of the school.

Subsequently, His Majesty visited the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital. The hospital has been selected as a quarantine and treatment centre in the event of an outbreak of bird flu in the country. Next, His Majesty toured the Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School before going to the home of Kampung Panchor Village Head, Awang Haji Kepli bin Abang Sepawi. This followed with visits to the Kampung Serambangun Open Market, the Police Station, the Fire Station, the Persatuan Pakatan Tutong Filling Station, the OG Complex and Tutong’s Sports Complex.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam then consented to proceed to the Main Hall of the Tutong Civic Centre for luncheon and get-together session with residents of Pekan Tutong and its surrounding vicinity. The visit is a follow-up to a number of previous visits to mukims in rural areas. These visits demonstrate His Majesty’s concern on the welfare of his rakyat and people and to have a close and personal look at the developmental progress of mukims and villages.   

The Water Services of the Public Works Department and the Housing Development Department, respectively emerged as the champions in the Men’s and Women’s categories of the Dikir Syarafil Anam Competition for the Ministry of Development and departments under it. A total of ten teams including five women teams contested in the competition held in conjunction with the upcoming birthday anniversary celebration of our Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Prizes were presented by Minister of Development, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Awang Abdullah. Also present were the Deputy Minister, Dato Paduka Doctor Haji Mat Suny as well as Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Development. Thursday’s event was organised by the Land Department.

Their Royal Highnesses then attended a dinner in their honour hosted by the Vice President of Laos and wife. Also present was Prince Abdul Qawi.On the second day of the State Visit to Vientiane, Laos, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince visited the National University of Laos at Dong Dok.On arrival, His Royal Highness was welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Education who is also the President of Dong Dok University, Professor Doctor Somkot Mangnomek.

Since its establishment in late 1995 as the first university in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the university has developed into one of the leading higher learning institutions in the country. Laos hopes the university will play a leading role in the dynamic development and economy of the country through advanced knowledge and research in helping solve the most challenging social, cultural and technical problems it faces.

From the university, His Royal Highness proceeded to the Lao People’s Army Museum. Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Deputy Minister of Lao National Defence, His Excellency Lieutenant General Ay Soulivaseng and the Museum’s Director, His Excellency Lieutenant Colonel Bounpheauan Neunthalavong.The Lao Military Museum was opened in December last year. The museum exhibits various historical equipment and items used by the Lao army during the war.
 

Victims of recent fires in the Brunei Muara, Tutong and Temburong Districts, Thursday received donations from the Community Development Department, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation. The Community Development Department contributed a sum of twenty-five thousand dollars. The donations was handed over to each head of the seven families affected by the fire, by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Retired Major General Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad. Donation from the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation in an amount of seven thousand and three hundred dollars was presented by the Foundation’s Managing Director, Dato Paduka Haji Ali Hashim.

The recipients also received school items for their children. Meanwhile, three families from Kuala Belait and Temburong Districts received two thousand and five hundred dollars form the Community Development Department to finance the renovation works on their homes. The money was handed by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. The function took place at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in Berakas.   

INFORAMA 2006, a project organised by the Ministry of Education focuses on the use of Information and Communication Technology or ICT. The annual project was launched Thursday at the Sayyidina Hassan Secondary School in Kilanas.

The Sayyidina Hassan Secondary School has been selected this year to host the 11th computer competition with the theme ICT for Innovation, Competence and Triumphs. Speaking at the launch of the INFORAMA 2006, Head of Oil Trading, Brunei Shell Company Sendirian Berhad, Awang Shahbudin bin Haji Musa among others touched on the development of ICT at schools.

The competition is divided into four levels - from primary to higher learning institution. Two categories of competition for secondary one, two and three commenced Thursday focusing on a number of projects. The INFORAMA competition is aimed at instilling awareness on the importance of ICT to the society aside from introducing the latest information technology to
students in the country.

Mosque officials are a source of reference for problems such as those pertaining to religion and the community. They are leaders in religious activities aside from conducting daily responsibilities in exalting the mosque institutions. As such, they should be committed and credible so as to become role models in the society.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Awang Haji Ishaaq bin Haji Abdullah emphasised these matters at the closing ceremony of a course and Outward Bound certificate presentation for mosque officials. The ceremony took place in Bangar, Temburong District, Thursday.

According to the Deputy Permanent Secretary, the dedication of mosque officials is proof that the mosque institution is becoming ever more prominent abreast of developments of time.

More than 130 mosque officials from throughout the country attended the six-day course. Various activities were conducted on character strengthening from both the physical and mental aspects with the aim of building self confidence and resilience.

Meanwhile, the Guidance and Training Officer, Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Md. Noor explained some of the objectives of the course. He said the Mosque Affairs Department endeavours to produce mosque officials who are truly pious and devout while possessing resilience and perseverance through the course and the Outward Bound Programme.
   

A doa Kesyukuran was held Thursday in conjunction with the corporatisation of the Telecom Department which is now known as Telekom Brunei Berhad, TelBru. The function took place at the Ministry of Communication in Berakas.

The function began with a mass Maghrib Prayer, followed by the recitation of the Surah Yassin, Doa Kesyukuran and Isyak Prayer.

Among those present were the Minister of Communication, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abu Bakar, Permanent Secretary and senior officers at the ministry. The official privatisation of the Telecom Department will be held on Saturday at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

The National Level Maulud Celebration or the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad SAW will be held simultaneously in all four districts on the 11th of April. The Dikir Maulud that will be held for twelve consecutive nights before the actual celebrations take place has already begun.

Prior to the upcoming Maulidur Rasul celebrations, various religious activities will be held throughout the country to commemorate and glorify the event, one of the important occasions in the Muslim calendar.