His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam expresses his satisfaction with the warm and friendly relations and deep understanding that have so long been established between Brunei Darussalam and the Kingdom of Sweden. His Majesty hopes that this would be maintained and enhanced in the future for the good of the two countries and people. His Majesty expressed this in a congratulatory message to His Majesty Carl Gustaf the 16th, the King of the Kingdom of Sweden and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, His Excellency Goran Persson, on the occasion of the National Day of the kingdom. His Majesty hoped His Majesty King Carl Gustaf the16th, would always remain in good health and happiness and for the people of the Kingdom of Sweden to always enjoy continued progress and prosperity.
 

In the congratulatory message, His Majesty also congratulates the Prime Minister of Sweden, His Excellency Goran Persson and the Government and people of the Kingdom of Sweden on the occasion of the National Day of the kingdom.
 

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has also sent a congratulatory message to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Her Excellency Laila Freivalds. In the message, His Royal Highness expressed his respects and congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty King Carl Gustaf the 16 and the royal family, the Government and the people of Kingdom of Sweden on the Flag Day of the Kingdom of Sweden. His Royal Highness is also delighted to see the way the excellent relations between Brunei Darussalam and the Kingdom of Sweden have developed and looks forward to continuing working together to strengthen the much-valued relations both bilaterally and through ASEM and the ASEAN-EU.

More than eight million dollars have been spent by His Majesty’s Government for environmental projects to ensure that the quality of the environment is always clean, beautiful and pollution-free. The government has also undertaken maintenance measures that include the coastline maintenance project. The Minister of Development, Pehin Dato

Paduka  Haji Awang Abdullah, stated this at the launching of the World Environment Day 2005 that took place Sunday at the Serasa Beach in Muara.
 

The Minister said one such major project is the sand-filled Serasa Beach to save the beach from further erosion. He lauded the involvement of the private sector and residents of Mukim Serasa who give their support toward maintaining a beautiful and clean recreational area. The World Environment Day carries the theme “Green Cities-Plan For the Planet”. The

The Cultural Minister Asia-Europe ASEM Meeting will be held in Paris, France starting from tomorrow. Brunei Darussalam will be represented at the meeting by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mejar Jeneral Bersara Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud.
 

Also in the delegation was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Awang Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal and several senior officers from the ministry. This year’s meeting with its theme “Cultural Diversity: Opportunities and Challenges-ASEM’s Long Term Plan” among others aim to exchange culture and cooperation between Asia and Europe.

The National Anti-drug Association of Brunei, BASMIDA, Sunday held a day-long carnival with the aim to disseminate anti drugs information to the public, aside from raising fund for the association. The Acting Director of Narcotics Control Bureau, Awang Haji Abdul Majid bin Mangarshah in the launching speech said continuous efforts are being implemented in

safeguarding the tranquility and safety of this country from being violated by foreigners who contravene the law including the smuggling of drugs into the country. He said that the prevention of illegal drug use begins at home.

Parents play a vital role in inculcating children the values of good moral and customs, religious knowledge and the ability to avoid from being involved in illegal drugs. Should parents failed to set a good example; children might become confused and look up to their friends as role models that will eventually expose them to negative elements.
 

Officers from the Museums Department with the collaboration of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Sunday made a surprise raid at the Life Animal Market in Rimba. The raid was to make sure that the thirty-four endangered animal species listed under the Act of Animal Wildlife Protection of the Museums Department are really protected.
 

During the operation, the officers found a ‘slow loris’, which is in the list of animal protected, was put up for sale. According to the vendor, he purchased the animal in Labi. Investigation is currently underway and if the seller is found guilty, he could face a fine of up to two thousand dollars and a one year imprisonment. The Animal Wildlife

Protection Act is one of the ways in identifying and protecting endangered animal species and other form of wildlife from extinction.

Occupational health is an important branch of medical science and is making rapid progress all over the world. It is only through research in this field that the Ministry of Health is able to find ways and means of improving its work environment. Occupational stress is another area of increasing importance.
 

The matter was highlighted by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Awang Haji Serbini Haji Ali while launching the Inaugural Occupational Health Symposium.
 

He said another health issue of growing global importance is obesity and other diseases associated with lifestyle and Brunei Darussalam, is no exception. He added it is heartening and greatly encouraging that Brunei Shell Petroleum is in the forefront of introducing a healthy lifestyle program for its staff that promotes healthy eating habits and regular exercises.
 

The symposium tries to promote occupational safety and health as well as sharing vital knowledge in the understanding of an important issue that affects the livelihood of thousands of people and the productivity of the country’s industrial and commercial sectors. The one-day symposium is hosted by the Panaga Health Centre of Brunei Shell Petroleum that focused on occupational safety and health as an increasingly important medical issue in Brunei. Extensive range of topics related to occupational health such as ergonomics, backache, occupational cancers and stress are highlighted in the symposium by experts.

Parents are urged to give serious attention to their children’s health status and educational development because the key to the children’s success in the future. The Minister of Health stated that the country’s education policy does not give specialties to any one selected group but to all citizens.

Speaking at the walkathon organised by the Nusa Laila Puteri School, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Suyoi pointed out that opportunities to attend school and pursue further studies whether in the country or abroad are of equal chance to all students. He said it is up to the individuals to make greater efforts to excel in their studies in order to progress further.

The fund-raising walkathon was held at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium as part of the Nusa Laila Puteri School’s awareness programs to inculcate a positive trend and healthy lifestyle. This is inline with efforts by the Ministry of Health in promoting health and awareness campaigns on the importance of undertaking physical activities to keep chronic diseases at bay.