NEWS:- Thursday, 13th April 2006

His Majesty presents credentials and receives letters of appointment from new envoys

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to present credentials to five newly-appointed Brunei Darussalam’s envoys and receive letters of appointment from three incoming diplomats.  The ceremony took place Wednesday at Istana Nurul Iman.  

His Majesty first consented to present credentials to the country’s newly-appointed Ambassador-designate to the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Dato Paduka Haji Ali bin Haji Hassan.  His Excellency is 63 years old and was previously Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

This was followed with the presentation of credentials of the newly-appointed Ambassador-designate to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Excellency Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd. Daud.  His Excellency is 58 years old and was previously the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

		Also receiving the credentials from His Majesty was Brunei Darussalam’s Ambassador-designate to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, His Excellency Haji Mohammad Mahdi bin Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Abdul Rahman.  His Excellency is 46 years old and prior to this appointment, was the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Brunei Darussalam’s Ambassador-designate to Belgium, His Excellency Pengiran Haji Yunus bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, who is 48 years old, also received his credentials, Wednesday.  He was the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

		His Majesty later consented to present credentials to the country’s newly-appointed Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Pehin Datu Harimau Padang Major General Retired Dato Paduka Seri Haji Hussin bin Ahmad.  His Excellency is 61 years old and was the previous Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Following these presentations of credentials, His Majesty consented to receive the letter of appointment of the new Ambassador of Spain to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency German Bejarano.  His Excellency is 47 years old and had served as Director General of International Economic Relations at Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2000 to 2004.

The next letter of appointment was presented by Denmark’s Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Klvas Arnoldi Holm.  His Excellency is 53 years old and had served as Minister and Deputy Ambassador at the Royal Danish Embassy in London from 2001.

		His Majesty then consented to receive the letter of appointment of the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Ahmed Amaziane.  His Excellency is 50 years old and was Morocco’s Director for Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

His Majesty later granted an audience to the five newly-appointed Brunei Darussalam’s envoys and to receive in separate audiences, the three new foreign diplomats.  

Present at the audiences were the Minister of Education, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman; the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Dato Seri Paduka Lim Jock Seng; the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Sallehuddin.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade grants audiences to three new foreign envoys

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Wednesday granted audiences to three newly-appointed foreign envoys from friendly nations to Brunei Darussalam.  The audiences took place Wednesday at the Balai Penghadapan Bukit Kayangan.

His Royal Highness first received in audience the Ambassador of Spain, His Excellency German Bejarano Garcia.  His Excellency is currently based in Kuala Lumpur.  His Royal Highness then received the new Ambassador of Denmark to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Klavs Arnoldi Holm.  His Excellency is currently based in Singapore.

His Royal Highness later received the newly-appointed Ambassador of Morocco to the country, His Excellency Ahmed Amaziane.  His Excellency is currently based in Kuala Lumpur.  His Royal Highness welcomed the three new envoys and discussed bilateral matters with each of them.

Pakistan Earthquake Fund now collects more than $309,900

The Pakistan Earthquake Humanitarian Fund, Wednesday received a donation from the Royal Brunei Airlines Sendirian Berhad and its subsidiaries.  The donation received was nearly seven thousand and ninety-nine dollars. 

The donation was handed by the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar who is also the Acting Chairman of the Royal Brunei Airlines Sendirian Berhad to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Retired Major General Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad.  With the contribution, the overall cash donations collected for the fund so far amounts to more than 309 thousand 900 dollars.

Academicians discuss three literature books

Three literature books were discussed Wednesday by dwelling into their contents based on the background of speakers with fair judgement.  The criteria touched on the strength and weakness, the application of theory and approaches, the writing discipline, the relevancy of messages with the past, present and the future, the intellectual values and the readers’ response.

The books discussed are Arabic-written literature book entitled ‘Syukri Zain ar Raid as Syair al Islam al Hadith fi Negara Brunei Darussalam or Shukri Zain, the founder of Modern Islamic Literature in Brunei Darussalam, written by Dr. Arif K. Abukhudairi and published by Maktabat al-Adab, Egypt.  A Malay literature book entitled ‘Antologi Puisi Hidayat Tiga’ written by three local writers and published by the Islamic Dakwah Centre last year, and a novel ‘Sidang Burung’ written by Muslim Burmat, published by the Language and Literature Bureau, 2006.

Present at the function was the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin.  The books were discussed by three academicians who are experts in their respective fields.  Professor Madya Doctor Mahayuddin bin Haji Yahya discussed on the book ‘Syukri Zain ar Raid as Syair al Islam al Hadith fi Negara Brunei Darussalam, Professor Madya Doctor Haji Hashim bin Haji Abdul Hamid talked on the book ‘Antologi Puisi Hidayat Tiga’ and Doctor Haji Morsidi bin Haji Muhamad on the novel Sidang Burung.  Apart from the depth of research, the books were also evaluated on other factors such as the knowledge moulded, the fairness of conflict among the aesthetic and logical values and the need to look at it as concrete and symbolic.  The function was held at the Language and Literature Bureau in Berakas.

Anti-graft lessons to include as additional learning to upper secondary students

The Anti-Corruption Bureau plans to include anti-graft lessons as additional learning, particularly to upper secondary students.  The aim is to instill awareness on the evil of corruption.  This was said during a roadshow of the second season of KOD 486, a local drama series depicting the fight against corruption in the Belait District, Wednesday.

In his speech, Head of the Special Investigation Officer at the Anti-Corruption Bureau said through such a programme, individuals especially young children will be equipped with good moral values that can help them fight against negative elements.

Awang Haji Abdul Raub bin Haji Mohd. Yassin also said a discussion has been held between the bureau and Universiti Brunei Darussalam to include the anti-graft lesson in the education module at university level.  The second season of drama KOD 486 is produced from real cases from which lessons can be drawn among the public.  The roadshow was aimed at giving information and awareness that the public should not compromise to any form of corruptions.  Present at the function was the Acting Belait District Officer, Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Abdul Rahman.

Agriculture Department initiates positive steps to enhance agricultural production

The Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Wednesday signed a Contract of Agreement with an Australian consultant for conducting detailed soil fertility evaluation.  The service is to enhance soil advisory services, upgrade and document the scientific information on soil fertility besides fertilizer recommendation.

The agreement was signed between the Director of the Agriculture Department, Pengiran Hajah Mariana and Dr. Christopher Smit from the Agriculture, Water and Environment from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Australia.  Under the agreement, CSIRO Australia will make assessments on soil fertility and suitability on the Agriculture Developing Area and the Rural Agricultural Development Areas, towards achieving maximum agricultural production.

Dr. Christopher Smit then briefed agriculture officers concerned on the soil fertility evaluation, advisory service in Brunei Darussalam.  This consultancy project will be carried out for two years.

Royal Brunei Land Force emerge champion of final Sepaktraw

The Royal Brunei Land Force emerged as the champion of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces’ Sepaktraw.  The final match took place at the Penanjong Camp in Tutong, Wednesday.

The Royal Brunei Land Force won the match in a rubber set after defeating the Royal Brunei Navy.  Present to watch the final was the Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force, Colonel Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud bin Haji Saidin, who also presented the prizes.

3rd Master Alim Nine Ball Invitational Cup Challenge begins

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth Sports said initiative taken by organisers in developing the youth sport is very much appreciated.  It has grown in popularity and gained tremendous response from sports enthusiasts.  Awang Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal, who is also the President of the Brunei Darussalam Cue Sport Association also expressed his confidence that such a sport will continue to grow in years to come.  He also expressed optimism the strong friendly competition will help to promote and enhance goodwill between competitors from diverse background and younger players will be able to gain more experience with good game and full table.

Awang Haji Jemat was speaking last night when officiating at the 3rd Master Alim Nine Ball Invitational Cup Challenge in conjunction with the 22nd National Day of Brunei Darussalam.  Eighty-eight players from eleven teams representing banks, institutions, government departments, private firms and individuals are taking part in the tournament. Last night saw the nine-ball preliminary round for the cup.  The final will be held on the 23rd of this month. 

END OF NEWS

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