A presentation of certificates of appointment to the new Ketua of Kampung Bunut Perpindahan was held Friday afternoon. Awang Haji Adanan bin Haji Mohmad Salleh, aged 61, a former staff of the Immigration Department, was elected Ketua Kampung Bunut Perpindahan on the 22nd of May last year.

Kampung Bunut Perpindahan is one of the villages that make up Mukim Kilanas. It has 1834 people that reside in 192 houses. On hand to present the certificate was the Permenant Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Idris bin Belaman.

In his speech, Dato Awang Haji Idris said the Ministry of Home Affairs is concerned with the efforts made by the Mukim and Village Consultative Councils and has allocated the institutions with a budget of 100,000 dollars for the year 2004 through 2005 to assist the councils in implementing planned activities.

However, he deplored that there are certain Consultative Councils that failed to utilise the allocation beneficially. He went on to stress albeit there are some councils that are actively involved in enhancing the country's economy and propagating Islam. He urged the Mukim and Kampung Consultative Councils to continue to work out sustainable annual programmes for every villages.

Residents of Kampung Batang Tuau in the Temburong District Friday voted Awang Jainih alias Zaini bin Haji Tahir, aged 53, as the new Ketua Kampung. The Acting Temburong District Officer, Awang Shahminan bin Haji Tengah was present to witness the procedure.

Awang Jainih alias Zaini bin Haji Tahir, working with the Electricity Services, received 70 votes while another candidate Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Aji, a 45-year-old trained teacher, received 64 votes.

Kampung Batang Tuau is one of four villages in Mukim Bangar with a population of 450. The village has 92 houses and majority of the residents are Muslims. Prior to the vote, the post of village leader was deputised by the Ketua Kampung of Belingos, Awang Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Ahad since the first of March 2002. Balloting was held at the Puni Primary School hall.

A two day workshop on how to play the Gulingtangan and other traditional musical instruments began Friday with the focus on teaching youngsters. The workshop was organised by the Culture Section of the Mukim Serasa Consultative Council.

Gulingtangan is one of the unique traditional musical instruments of Brunei. The instrument has been played since time immemorial as entertainment, and today music from the Gulingtangan can be heard during certain occasions.

An appreciation dinner was held Friday night for the participation of nine Asean countries, including Brunei Darussalam as the host country, and the successful organizing Committee for the Under 21 Youth Football Championship 2005 to vie for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy.

The function took place in Gadong. Present at the function was the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Dato Doctor Awang Haji Hussein who is also the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the Championship.

Invited Referees and Assistant Referees both local and foreign were given recognition at the event. Also at the gathering, lucky draw tickets of the opening ceremony of the Championship were announced. According to the organizing committee, with the welcoming dinner, they wished that all players had time to mingle together and establish friendship and contribute to the region's stability, future growth and development.

The Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy 2005 saw Laos collect three points after defeating Myanmar two-one in the Group 'B' fixture Friday afternoon. The match is the final game for both Myanmar and Laos in Group B.

Myanmar with six points qualified for the semifinals. Laos, who won a match against Singapore and lost to Brunei in the opening match, needed three points from this match to qualify. Myanmar scored their only goal in the 19th minute of the first half through Sun Day Thien. Four minutes later, Laos equalised the score through Sounthalay Xaysongkham. In the second half, Laos netted their second goal, eleven minutes after the kick-off through their team captain, Visay Phaphouvanin.

Two matches will be held today in Group "A". Indonesia will play the Philippines at four in the afternoon,whilst Malaysia will take on Thailand at eight in the evening. Both matches will take place at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium. Meanwhile, the management committee of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy reminds the public, especially soccer fans that as from today, all matches will be held at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.