His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzadien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan Brunei Darussalam, has granted an audience to the Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, His Excellency General Chaisit Shinawatra, who's currently in the country for a three-day official visit. The audience took place Tuesday afternoon at Istana Nurul Iman.

This is His Excellency's first visit to the country since he was appointed as the new Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces in October last year. During the audience, His Excellency General Chaisit was accompanied by Thailand's Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Sornsilp Polteja.

Also present at the audience were the Special Advisor to His Majesty at the Prime Minister's Office and the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Haji Awang Isa; the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Pehin Major General Dato Awang Haji Halbi; the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Dato Haji Dani; and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Pehin Colonel Dato Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin. Also at the audience were members of the visiting delegation including the Chairman of the Advisory Board, General Reungroj Maha-saranond; Air Chief Marshall Yoothana Vaidecha; Deputy Chief of Joint Staff, Lieutenant General Chayasit Linthong; and Director General Directorate of Joint Intelligence, Colonel Krisda Norapoompijat.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Tuesday made an unscheduled visit to the Language and Literature Bureau in Berakas. The Language and Literature Bureau promotes and enriches the usage of the Malay language and literature through creative writings and dialogues between regional and international communities.

Memberships of Brunei Darussalam in the East Asia Literature Council "MASTERA" and the Language Council of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia "MABBIM" enable the country to share knowledge in the fields of language and literature. Among the sections that came under His Majesty's scrutiny was the Literature Propagation and Development Section, which undertakes literary activities such as talks, competitions and seminars.

At the Book Planning Section, His Majesty was briefed on the roles and responsibilities of the section. It is responsible for manuscript evaluation and review prior to approval for publication. The Language and Literature Bureau published 41 books last year. The highest number of books published in a single year was 90 in 1997.

His Majesty also visited the bureau's bookshop. Last year, the bookshop collected more than 300 thousand dollars from book sales. There, His Majesty showed his concern on the quality of the book covers produced by the bureau. The language and literature bureau book store houses books that are published for commercial purposes. Within a four year

period, books in Malay language have increased in sales by 24 thousand 489 editions, and in English language by 12 thousand 622 editions.His Majesty also took a closer look at the bureau's transport section. This section handles the mobile library service. The mobile library visits almost 100 schools throughout the country and is extremely popular and well-received especially among students.His Majesty's visit underscored his care and concern towards ensuring that all government machineries run smoothly and carry out the tasks and responsibilities entrusted upon them efficiently.

Relations between Brunei Darussalam and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have grown from strength from strength over the years. Both nations have a lot to benefit from mutual exchanges of ideas, people and trading links.

The Minister of Education underlined this at a reception marking the 65th Anniversary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The function was held Tuesday night at the International Convention Centre. Pehin Dato Haji Abdul Aziz, who represented the government of His Majesty at the reception, said that Brunei welcomes Pakistan full dialogue partnership in ASEAN.

On bilateral interest, leaders of the two nations have identified areas offering vast opportunities for greater economic cooperation. The two countries have signed three Memorandums of Understanding on combating terrorism and transnational crimes, consultations and cooperation between two foreign ministers and defence cooperation.

Pakistan's High Commissioner, His Excellency Badr-ub-deen, in his speech said Pakistan and Brunei have consistently maintained very close relations characterized by cordiality, warmth, cooperation and a wide identity of views on regional and international issues. His Excellency went on to say, Pakistanis living in the sultanate are genuinely grateful to the Government of His Majesty and the people of Brunei for their continued support and generosity for accommodating them in various fields. Such support, he said, reflects the highest level of understanding, cordiality, fraternity, accommodation and close relations. Diplomatic connections between Brunei and Pakistan have been in existence since 19 years ago.

The visiting Royal Thai Armed Forces Supreme Commander, General Chaisit Shinawatra, Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Retired Major General Pengiran Haji Ibnu Ba'asith, as part of his programmes.

On arrival at the Bolkiah Garrison, General Chaisit Shinawatra received a guard of honour mounted by personnel of the First Battalion of the Royal Brunei Land Forces.

Earlier, the Thai Armed Forces Commander paid a courtesy call on the Commander of  The Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Pehin Major General Dato Haji Awang Halbi.

Brunei Shell Petroleum has presented seven food outlets in the Belait District with the Food Safety Award in recognition and appreciation of their efforts in managing the optimum level of food safety and hygiene.

The recognition is in accordance with BSP's food hygiene standard and the Government Public Health Regulation 2000. On hand to present the awards was BSP Deputy Managing Director, Haji Zainal Abidin bin Haji Mohd Ali.

It's an annual project of the Brunei Shell Petroleum, Brunei Liquefied Natural Gas, Brunei Shell Tanker and Brunei Shell Marketing. Spot-checks are made on the outlets' premises every three months by the Environmental Public Health Officer from the Panaga Health Centre.

The spot-checks are based on the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System, used by most of the countries in Europe, as well as Japan and Singapore. It is considered the best system in judging food safety and is focused on the way food is served, cold storage, hygiene and kitchen cleanliness for which points are given.

According to the Head of Environmental Public Health Department, Pengiran Abu Bakar bin Pengiran Haji Karim, the criteria for winning the award includes having obtained two Grades A and two Grades B in the assessment over one or two years, with grading marks of at least 80 percent and recommendations from the asset holders