His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muzaiddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam Tuesday night consented to host a dinner for the former President of the United States America, His Excellency President 'J' Clinton. The function was held at a hotel in Jerudong.

His Excellency, President 'J' Clinton was in the country for a brief visit. Also present at the function, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince Tuesday morning consented to attend the second meeting of the national committee of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 59th birthday celebration.
 

On arrival at the Empire Hotel and Country Club, His Royal Highness was welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Adnan who is Chairman of the National Committee of His Majesty's 59th Birthday Anniversary Celebrations and the Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz who is the Committee Deputy Chairman.

The chairman in his welcoming remarks said the presence of His Royal Highness reflects his attention and concern towards the preparations and the programme of events that are being arranged, especially the format of the get-together ceremonies between His Majesty and the rakyat in all the four districts.
 

The meeting among other matters discussed proposals regarding locations for the gatherings and reviewed reports as well as looked into details of the format of programmes and performances proposed in each district.

Three more E-Government projects under the Ministry of Religious Affairs will be implemented this year. Meanwhile, a signing agreement ceremony for the projects was held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Tuesday afternoon.

The 1st project - Network Infrastructure and Data Centre - 1st Phase was the first to be inked. Signing on behalf of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, was its Senior Special Duties Officer, Awang Haji Othman bin Haji Momin, while Syarikat I-T-I-S Wescot Technology Sendirian Berhad was represented by its Managing Director, Awang Lim Ching Tong. This project will establish Data Centre at the Ministry and to provide Local Area Network in the Ministry's building and connect Wide Area Network to its departments under the Ministry.

For the 2nd project - Zakat Management System, signing on behalf of the Ministry was the Secretary of the Islamic Religious Council, Awang Haji Abdul Wahab bin Safar, while Syarikat Jurusy Perunding Sendirian Berhad was represented by its Managing Director, Awang Haji Samat bin Haji Abas. This project will help to ease the tithe management system by providing latest infrastructure to fulfill the needs of the Muslim community in the country by creating awareness and convenience of tithe payment.

Meanwhile the 3rd project to be signed was the e-Islam Information Kiosk. Signing on behalf of the Ministry was the Director of Mosque Affairs, Awang Haji Ismail bin Haji Abdul Manaf, while Syarikat Folec Communications Sendirian Berhad was represented by its Director, Awang Haji Masrah bin Haji Mansor. This project will upgrade and widen community knowledge on Islam in daily life using ICT technology efficiently. Witnessing the signing was the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Awang Haji Abdullah bin Haji Metassim.

Among those present at the signing agreement ceremony was the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Awang Haji Othman bin Haji Momin, in his capacity as the Chairman of EgSPEC . The three projects together with another project, the Islamic Information System was signed last month are expected to be fully completed by August this year.

The total number of criminal and civil cases registered at Magistrate Courts in Brunei Darussalam is decreasing. There were 2,638 criminal cases last year in all the four districts, while at the same time there were 999 civil cases recorded at courts in all the centres, except in the Temburong district.

There were more than 2,900 criminal cases in 2001 in all four districts and the figure increased to more than 3,400 hundred the following year. But by 2003 the number decreased to more than 2,700 hundred cases.

Meanwhile, the total number of civil cases registered at Magistrate courts in 2001 was 1,227. The figure decreased to 1,095 in 2002 and a slight increase in the following year at 1,219 cases.

Criminal cases heard by the high court in 2001 were 147 cases with 124 cases heard during the following year. The number of cases heard by the same court in 2003 showed a drastic decrease at only 22 cases, but increased again slightly last year to 42.

Meanwhile the number of civil cases handled by the High Court was 208 in 2001 and in 2002 it increased to 211 cases. In 2003, a total of 214 cases were registered, but in 2004 the figure increased by more than 100 cases, standing at 316.

The Royal Customs and Excise Department held an auction earlier today, and received an excellent response from members of the public. A total of 13, 250 dollars were collected from the auction.

Among the items on auction were electrical appliances. Fourteen home theatre speakers were up for auction with a starting price of $100. Buyers at the auction managed to buy the speakers, which were still in good quality, for as little as $180.

Royal Customs and Excise officers also auctioned off 50 "sub-woofers", also with a starting price of $100.

A total of 5 cars were also sold off Tuesday. Most of the items on auction were undeclared goods that were brought into the country and confiscated by Royal Customs and Excise Department officers. Also being auctioned were chairs, cookery, automobile spare parts and water filters. The most expensive item being auctioned was cooking ware, valued at 390 dollars.

The government is allocating more than three hundred thousand dollars annually to assist 33 sports associations, including 16 recreational clubs nationwide. This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports at the launching of the Kendo Federation Brunei Darussalam and the presentation of Kendo Equipment, this afternoon.

In Awang Haji Jemat's speech, read by his personal representative, Awang Haji Khalid bin Haji Ghazali said that the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports through the Department of Youth and Sports is always extending assistance to sports associations to enhance the quality of sports in the country. He called on the sports associations to be more proactive in sourcing finances. The Permanent Secretary assured that the government will give financial assistance to active associations that are able to show improvement the quality of sport in the country. At the same time the department has arranged programes to assist the non-active associations with leadership and management programmes.

The popularity of Kendo has been growing in the country in recent years, and this has led to the official registration of the Kendo Federation of Brunei Darussalam and the launching of the Brunei-Japan Friendship Association Kendo Club last year. With its launching, the Kendo Federation received donation of equipment, which included 20 Shinai or Bamboo swords, 20 sets of Bugo or full-protective equipment and 21 kendo-gi and Hakama or uniforms. Kendo, which literally means “the way of the sword”, is one of Japan's renowned Martial arts.