His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam, has consented to award honorary medals of Brunei Darussalam to 540 recipients in conjunction with His Majesty's 58th Birthday anniversary. His Majesty was represented at the ceremony by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince. The ceremony took place Monday at the Dewan Persantapan Lapau in the capital.

Leading the list of awardees was Pehin Dato Haji Awang Abdul Wahab bin Haji Mohamad Said who received the Pingat Bakti Laila Iklas, PBLI. Thirty-eight people received the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian, PJK or Meritorious Medals, 254 people received the Pingat Indah Kerja Baik, or PIKB, and another 247 others were awarded with the Pingat Kerja Lama or Long Service Medals.

Among the recipients were government servants from various ministries and departments as well as members of uniformed establishments. Part of the criteria for receiving the medals include undivided loyalty to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the nation and religion. Recipients also should maintain good records in all services with His Majesty's government including in terms of national security and good conduct.

To bless the ceremony, a Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz. Present at the ceremony were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Councils, Deputy Ministers and Pehin-Pehin Manteri. Also present were Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Department.

Students who have twice failed the Lower Secondary Assessment examination, or PMB, will be channeled to technical and vocational institutions to pursue certain programmes. The Acting Minister of Education stressed the move, which is being introduced this year, is to avoid students from being drop-outs. The Ministry of Education hopes that such an arrangement will encourage students to continue with their studies although they do not excel academically.

Pehin Dato Haji Suyoi disclosed this when he officiated at the Career Exhibition 2005 Monday. He said that one of the ministry's efforts in providing efficient and skilled workforce in the working environment is by introducing vocational programmes in secondary schools. It was an alternative programme specially arranged for PMB level 2 students. The two-year vocational orientated programme is to equip students with knowledge, skills and basic training required in the work world especially in the field of computer, foundation mathematics, language and communications skills, Islamic regulations and basic work guide prior to channeling students to courses in clerical studies. This will provide them with the basic skills needed in the field of industry.

He also lauded the achievement of the Career Resource Centre for finding jobs for 387 job seekers comprising of school leavers, diploma and degree holders in various areas. It is hoped that more departments and private firms would utilize the Career Resource Centre as a joint effort in reducing unemployment among school leavers.

The three-day exhibition serves to help job seekers find suitable work according to their qualification. Held at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation Building in the capital, the exhibition is open from half past eight in the morning until half past four in the afternoon.

The Humanitarian Relief Fund for the Tsunami Victims has received more financial assistance from various associations in the country. A donation of more than 6,356 dollars came from the Kampung Bunut Mosque Takmir Committee and the Kampung Bunut Perpindahan, Kampung Tasek Meradun Bunut, Kampung Madewa-Telanai-Sungai Ketam Consultative Councils and the Bunut Youth Association.

The money was handed over by the Penghulu of Mukim Kilanas, Haji Abdullah bin Haji Halus, to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Dato Doctor Haji Awang Hussin who's also the co-adviser for the fund's committee. Yang Berhormat Pehin then handed it over to the Secretary of the Humanitarian Relief Fund, Datin Hajah Adina.

Also present was the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain, who's also the co-adviser of the Tsunami Victims Fund.

Radio Television Brunei will broadcast a special serial programme as part of efforts in promoting tourism in the country. The programme, "Experience Brunei: The Kingdom of Unexpected Treasures", will be aired through RTB International satellite channel on Mondays at fifty minutes past eight in the evening, commencing on the 21st of this month.

In officiating at the launch of the half an hour programme that is made up of 13 episodes, the Director of RTB, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Ismail bin Pengiran Mohamad elaborated that the programme is also part of a strategic venture of the tourism board of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and that indirectly involved hotels and the local community as a whole.

The programme features the Bruneian way of life, their culture and heritage aside from focusing places of interest in the sultanate. The programme illustrates the latest publicity drive in maximising information on Brunei for tourists in the English version.

Thousands of runners from all over the world are expected to join the Brunei Marathon, the first such international sports event to be staged in the country. The event, to be held on the 11th of December this year, will be recorded not only in Brunei's annual calendar but in international yearly events as well.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, Awang Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal, said this at the official launching of the 1st Brunei Marathon 2005. He said the event is parallel with the International Year of Sports and Physical Education declared by the United Nations. Awang Haji Jemat believes that such an event as this will serve to enhance relations and goodwill within the country as well as overseas.

More than three thousand runners from Europe, Africa, Australia and ASEAN member nations will be participating in the marathon, the route of which will cover Pantai Tungku, the Bukit Shahbandar Recreation Park, Universiti Brunei Darussalam and the Empire Hotel and Country Club. The Brunei Marathon 2005 promises a cash prize of 300 thousand US dollars. The event will put Brunei on the world map as one of the hosts at international level.