The Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Adnan, Tuesday made a working visit to the Municipal Board. During the visit, the Minister met with the senior officers to discuss the methods and procedures to improve public services.

 

The working visit took to the Licensing Section and the Car Park Section under the Municipal Board. The Minister was accompanied by his Deputy, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Dani and his Permanent Secretary, Dato Paduka Haji Idris bin Haji Belaman.
 

The Municipal Board is one of the service-orientated government agencies which is responsible for providing better living standards to the towns people by ensuring the availability and easy access to public facilities. It also enforces rules and regulations to ensure proper development of areas within its jurisdiction

Last year’s passes in Mathematics and Science subjects at primary level decreased from that of the previous year. The Deputy Minister of Education revealed that there was a 6.22 percent drop in Mathematic scores and a 2.23 percent drop in Science scores in last year’s Primary School Assessment Examination. This decrease is of great concern to the Ministry of Education, as both Mathematics and Science are classified as core subjects in the secondary school curriculum, and could have an effect on the number of students who are able to pursue and excel in Mathematics and Science subjects at secondary and tertiary leve.
 

Pengiran Dato Doctor Haji Mohammad was speaking at the Final Round of the Primary School Science Olympiad 2005 on Tuesday. The Deputy Minister went on to urge school authorities to continuously strive to raise student’s interest in these subjects at an early stage.

This is the second time that the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership or STEP Centre of the Ministry of Education has held the Primary School Science Olympiad. The Olympiad was held in four rounds, and a total of six students made it to the final round.

The Deputy Minister also presented prizes to the winners of the final round of the Primary School Science Olympiad. First place went to Palwasha Khatri from the Jerudong International School. Mohammad Zikri Rifa’ie bin Zulkifli from St. Michael’s School in Seria came in second, while third prize went to Leong Wei Ji from Chung Hwa Middle School, who was also named the overall winner of the Primary School Science Olympiad.

In less than a month, Brunei Darussalam will celebrate the 59th birthday anniversary of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam. In this regard, preparations are in full swing in all districts to spruce up the capital and other towns.
 

In the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, arches are being erected at strategic locations including the centre of the capital near the Post Office Building opposite the Prime Minister’s Office, Mile One Jalan Tutong and the road in front of the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers’ Training College. Illuminations and neon lights are also being put up on public and private buildings as well as along the main road leading to the capital so as to add colour and enliven the festive atmosphere.

Similarly, the Gadong commercial district is also dotted with arches and brightened up with decorative lightings. Other capital suburbs like Jalan Kiulap will also glitter at night when street and building decorative illuminations are switched on.

Meanwhile, shop premises and other commercial buildings are adorned with banners carrying compliments for the auspicious occasion. The Taman Jubli Perak will be one of the focuses of convergence for people as well as tourists during the celebration. The recreational park is now being given added characteristics with the building of several model houses portraying the past and present ways of life of Bruneians living in Kampung Ayer.

The first ever Professional Golf Tournament, Brunei Open 2005 will tee off this Thursday with a 300 thousand US dollars prize up for grab. The tournament will be held at the Empire Hotel and Country Club. Meanwhile, a media conference and players meet session was held Tuesday.

The Director of Brunei Tourism, Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohammed in a media conference said the involvement of the private sector is crucial in order to help build up the Brunei open to a much bigger scale. Some 150 of Asia’s finest professional golfers will be playing in the four-day Brunei Open tournament which is the last round in the Asian tour before the summer break.
 

Among the top players are the number one rank in the Asian tour Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand and the number four rank Scott Barr from Australia. Also among the players are five Bruneian Amateur players. At the afternoon’s function, the trophy of the tournament was also revealed to the members of the media.

Meanwhile for members of the media covering the event, a media centre is being set up by the organisers at the Empire Hotel and Country Club. The centre will provide up to date news on the tournament.