His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Deputy Sultan granted an audience to the Special Adviser of the Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, His Excellency Professor Ahmud Swaley Kasenally. The audience took place at the Balai Penghadapan, Bukit Kayangan Monday afternoon.

During the audience, His Excellency conveyed a personal message from Prime Minister Paul Raymond to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. His Royal Highness and His Excellency also discussed bilateral matters.

Amidst efforts to generate income, financial institutions must be aware of their social responsibility to the country's community. This is particularly so when people fail to settle their debts with the financial institutions as reported in certain media. The Minister of Health who is also the Chairman of IBB At-Tamwil Berhad's Board of Directors, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Abu Bakar stressed this at the official launching and renaming of IBB Kredit Berhad to IBB At-Tamwil Berhad yesterday.

Yang Berhormat reminded financial institutions of their responsibility to ensure that financial facilities given to the public must not lead them to bear the burden of heavy debts. Financial institutions must ensure that clients have enough money to sustain themselves and their families. The new name, At Tamwil is an Arabic word meaning 'Finance'. This is thought to be a more befitting name to reflect its image as an Islamic Financial Institution.

The move to the Scouts Association Building is also a strategic decision to take advantage of its close proximity to the various car dealers located at the Beribi Industrial area, the Land Transport Department as well as improving the quality of service and convenience to its customers.

The products now range from Al-Wadiah Savings Account to Al-Bai Bithaman Aajil fixed deposit investment, which is specifically targeted for members of the public aged 40 and above. IBB At-Tamwil also provides an alternative financing to the public for Islamic Hire and Purchase of new and second hand vehicles, motorcycles and other consumer products such as computers, motorboat, mobiles and furniture based on the Islamic concept of Al-Ijarah Thuma Al-Bai or leasing.

It is very important to inculcate positive and constructive ideas and thinking towards upgrading professionalism in public relations and improvement in methodology as well as recognizing potentiality in dissemination of information. The Acting Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Adanan underscored the role and function of public relation officers at the Public Relation Media Night in Berakas Monday night. He was confident that the Ministries and Government Departments' Public Relation committee will continue evaluating and analysing any shortages and improve them in more active and dynamic ways.

The Public Relation Committee of Ministries and government departments was established in March 1997 in response to His Majesty's titah voicing for the committee to be set up and play an active role as the facilitator, receiving and overcoming any problems concerning ministries and government departments. Yang Dimuliakan Pehin also said that media practioners should be well prepared in gearing up to face challenges and ever changing tasks.

The Public Relation Committee of Ministries and government departments has also started its campaign of raising money for the Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund. Currently, the Public Relation Committee for ministries and government departments is chaired by Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office while the Director of Information is the Deputy Chairman. The Department of Information meanwhile act as Secretariat to the Committee.

More Qurban ceremonies or feasts of sacrifice were held Monday. One of the ceremonies was held by the Ministry of Health. Present at the ceremony was the Minister of Health, Pehin Dato Haji Awang Abu Bakar.

Another ceremony was held by the Royal Brunei Airline's. Present at the ceremony was RBA's Chairman, Pehin Dato Haji Hazair. Also present were the State Deputy Mufti, Pehin Dato Hj Awang Suhaili and other Senior Officials from both State Mufti's Office and the Royal Brunei Airline.

Meanwhile, the Staff Welfare Body of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation also held a Qurban ceremony this afternoon. A total of five goats and 3 buffalos and 3 cows were slaughtered at the ceremony.

This was stated by the BLNG Senior General Plant Manager, at a workshop on Gas/LNG Process User Network. Awang Haji Mohamad Said Ahmad said from technology, Brunei had also allowed the gas processing groups to develop and apply more innovative applications in the newer plants. The international workshop is for Shell advised sites. Among the purposes were to update technology and development, sharing and resolving problems and getting to know counterparts in Shell Global Solutions International.

The four-day workshop is focusing on seven sessions, which among others touched on upstream gas supply, introduction to new projects, acid gas removal unit and gas treating. Among the international companies taking part in the workshop were Nigeria LNG, Oman LNG, GASCO of the United Arab Emirates and WEL Woodland Energy Limited of Australia. The first workshop was held two years ago in Oman.

The 7th Southeast Asian Fencing Federation Championship was officially launched Monday night by the Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Pehin Dato Doctor Haji Awang Hussin. This was the first time Brunei Darussalam organised the championship, which among others is aimed at bringing together the fencers of Asian countries in a friendly and competitive environment.

In his speech the President of Brunei Darussalam Fencing Federation, Haji Maidin Haji Ahmad touched on the Brunei Darussalam Fencing Federation hopes to promote fencing not only as a hobby but as a serious sport. The effort made by the Federation and supported by the Youth and Sports Department for the past few years in promoting fencing among other sports in the country was very optimistic and encouraging, receiving good response and support from sports enthusiasts.

Haji Maidin also suggested fencing to be included as an additional event in the Asian School Sports Meet, which would enable the students to learn fencing at an early age. About 123 athletes representing seven Asean member countries namely Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia as well as Brunei Darussalam took part in the championship, which took place at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex in Berakas.

In the individual Men's Epee, Haerullah Muhamad won the gold medal, silver went to Bernal Armando and bronze was jointly won by Montano Moses from the Philippines and Pham Quoc Vuong from Vietnam. In the Individual women's Sabre category, Nguyen Thi Le and Nguyen T Thuy, both from Vietnam, won the gold and silver medals respectively while bronze medal was jointly won by Trinh Thi Ly also from Vietnam and Nuestro Veena from the Philippines. Prizes were presented by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.