Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha says that the theme of the National Conference that highlights current issues facing women and children is relevant for discussion. This is to raise awareness and upgrade the level of involvement and commitment among people of all walks of life so as to jointly take up responsibility, especially in seeing to the challenges facing children. Her Majesty made the remarks while 

officiating at the National Conference and the Launching of the Brunei Darussalam Women Graduates Association’s Website, Sunday. The conference carries a theme “Children In Developing Countries: Facing Challenges”. With Her Majesty were members of the royal family. 

The President of the Brunei Darussalam’s Women Graduates’ Association in her welcoming speech said that the national conference focused on the aspects of children in society from the Islamic perspective, in line with the country’s expectation.

Her Majesty the Raja Isteri believes that fate and life predicaments of the children should be given serious attention. Her Majesty added that it has often been heard that some children have been inflicted with various social problems, such as abuse, denial of rights, neglect and abandonment, which obviously affect their security and well-being.

Her Majesty the Raja Isteri then consented to launch the association’s website. Members of the public can surf the web through www.psw.org.bn

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Awang Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal said that Brunei Darussalam has taken a number of measures to ensure the basic needs and rights of the children are fulfilled. Children aged 12 and below are given free medical service. Some 95 percent of children in this country have been inoculated against infectious diseases. In terms of education, 99 percent of the children have

Received primary education while the rate of literacy for those under 9 years old is 92.5 percent. At the function, the resolution of the conference was handed over to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport by the Conference Secretariat Committee’s Chairperson, Datin

Paduka Hajah Suraya Noraidah. The resolution among other things emphasised that there must be joint efforts by parties concerned in planning, preparing and implementing programmes to develop the children’s talents and creativities. Her Majesty then consented to present souvenirs to participants who had presented working papers at the conference.
 

Before leaving, Her Majesty the Raja Isteri consented to view an exhibition. The Women’s Graduates Association was set up in 1990 with the objective to unite and maintain the professional relations among women graduates in Brunei Darussalam and plan various activities that would encourage women to be more actively involved in nation-building efforts.

The Women Graduates Association of Brunei Darussalam, or PSW, has identified more than four hundred children of various family backgrounds in the country who need assistance. They include orphans, children from low income family, the neglected and abused children. Giving these children support in their education is the association’s main focus. This was disclosed by the President of the association, Datin Paduka Hajah Intan while presenting a working paper at the national conference on “Our Children: Our Future”, Sunday.

Datin Hajah Intan in her working paper entitled, “Save Our Children”, said that the association has chosen a project called “Save Our Children”. The project came into being after being aware of the existence of these children who need assistance because of poverty. They are those who could not further their studies in the secondary level and further, just because of being poor.

In another paper entitled, “Our Children: Among the X Generation and Literate Generation” by Professor Madya Doctor Haji Hashim bin Haji Abd Hamid from University Brunei Darussalam among others defined “X” generation as a generation from neglected child who encounters bitter experience without parents to guide them. Meanwhile, literate generation is the one with the dimension of culture, religious, caring and strongly held Islamic values.

More than 12 working papers were tabled during the national conference with a theme, “Children in the Developed Community: To Face Challenges”. The conference among others is to instill the sense of awareness and commitment within the children themselves in order to protect their identity, belief and religion as well as their customs.

The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan and its vicinity have become more attractive with posters of the portrait of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam adorning buildings and roads in conjunction with His Majesty’s 59th birthday anniversary.

To enhance the festive mood, huge colourful posters portraying His Majesty are put up on government and private building throughout the capital. These posters which are sponsored by several private firms signify the commitment of the private sector together with the government agencies in celebrating the joyous occasion. Apart from the Brunei Muara District, these large posters with His Majesty’s portrait are also seen decorating private and public buildings in the Belait, Tutong and Temburong Districts.

Sunday, a giant-sized poster measuring 6 by 4 metres were put up at the Mall in Gadong. A total of 59 students of the Da Vinci Art School made the greetings poster in conjunction with His Majesty’s 59th birthday anniversary. With this poster depicting His Majesty’s portrait, the students conveyed their greetings to their beloved ruler.
 

Members of the public are reminded to take safety precautions during the forthcoming festivity marking the 59th anniversary of the birthday of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam. The Royal Brunei Police Force said the precaution is necessary to prevent criminals taking advantage of the public holidays following the festivity, when people in the country are likely to leave their homes.

Members of the public are also advised to ensure that their houses are locked, the compound is well-lit and that electrical and gas appliances are turned off before leaving the house. The public should also beware of pick-pockets in crowded places and to be cautious of the surrounding when drawing money at the ATM machines.

Any crime or suspicious activity should be reported to the nearest police station immediately or through their hotline 993. The police also welcome the cooperation of the public in together preventing crime.

In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Radio Television Brunei’s Television Service, RTB is currently holding an exhibition which highlights the department’s strategies on moving towards digital broadcasting system as part its endeavour to provide better and more interesting programmes. The digital terrestrial broadcast will be implemented in stages commencing from this year’s end. The exhibition is open to the public until this Thursday from eight thirty in the morning to half past four in the afternoon.

RTB has come a long way in 30 years in terms of programming from mere five-hours a day of air time initially to the average of 18 hours daily. Currently, RTB conducts two television channels, a terrestrial channel and a satellite channel. Today 60 percent of its telecast programmes are produced by local producers.

At the same time, the News Centre and the TV Rampai Pagi, also offers to those who interested to have a closer look on the process of the news and TV Rampai Pagi productions by visiting the News Centre, Studio for News TV and Radio and Rampai Pagi Studio Two. This exhibition will open for two hours commencing from half past nine to eleven thirty in the morning.

The National Tug-of -War competition was held Sunday at the Padang Bandaran in Kuala Belait. Brunei Muara District emerged as champion in Category ‘A’ for participants weighing under 70 kilogrammes. It defeated the Belait District team. Third place went to Tutong District after beating the Belait team.

In Category ‘C’ for total body weight of 1,100 kilogrammes, the Brunei Muara District was once again adjudged champion after beating the Belait District. Meanwhile, Temburong District came in third.

Sunday also saw teams from the Belait District and Temburong District competed for third and fourth place in the category ‘B’ for total body weights of 1,600 kilogrammes. The match ended with victory to the Belait District. The final in this category will be held later this month between Brunei Muara District and Tutong District. The champion in this category will represent the country to the Borneo Tug-of-War competition.

Prizes were presented by the Assistant Belait District Officer, Awang Haji Ali bin Mat Yassin. The championship is part of events set for the 59th birthday anniversary of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

Brunei Darussalam ended the season with a 0-2 defeat in the hands of Kedah. The team’s final match was held at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas. Present to watch the match were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik.

The visiting scored its first goal in the 13th minute of the first half through Ahmad Fauzi Shaari. Marcos Mangno Morale scored the second goal in the 22nd minutes of the second half for Kedah. Brunei Darussalam is fifth place in the group with 21 points.