His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam express his gratification with the warm and friendly relations and deep understanding between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Korea.   It is hoped such cordial ties would be maintained and widened in the years ahead for the good of the two countries and people.  

These were the content of goodwill messages to His Excellency Roh Moo-Hyun, President of the Republic of Korea, and Her Excellency Han Myung-Sook, the Prime Minister, on the occasion of the country’s National Foundation Day.  His Majesty hopes that His Excellency Roh Moo-Hyun would remain well and happy and for the people to enjoy continued progress and prosperity.  

In the message to Her Excellency Han Myung-Sook, His Majesty congratulates the Prime Minister and the Government and the people on the occasion.  His Majesty also wishes Her Excellency good health and happiness, and for the people to enjoy lasting progress and prosperity.

In a separate message, His Majesty expresses his gratification with the warm and friendly relations and deep understanding that had long been established between Brunei Darussalam and the Federal Republic of Germany.  His Majesty hopes such cordial ties would be maintained and enhanced in the future for the good of the two countries and people.  

These were conveyed in messages of congratulations to His Excellency Horst Kohler, President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Her Excellency Angela Merkel, the Chancellor, on the Reunification Anniversary of Germany.  His Majesty hopes the President would always be happy and in good health and for the people to enjoy continued progress and prosperity.  On the same token, His Majesty congratulates Her Excellency Angela Merkel on the occasion.  His Majesty wishes the German Chancellor good health and happiness and for the prosperity of the people of Germany. 

Meanwhile His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, sends a message of congratulations to his Korean counterpart, His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon on the National Foundation Day of the Republic of Korea.  In the message, His Royal Highness sends his warmest congratulations to His Excellency and the Government and people on their national foundation day.  His Royal Highness says he has enjoyed working with His Excellency during the past years, and is very pleased that the long-standing friendship between the two countries has grown stronger over the years.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade also says that Brunei attaches great importance on its cooperation with Korea, both bilaterally and regionally, and looks forward to continuing work to enhance the much-valued relations.  His Royal Highness also sends his kind regards and best wishes for His Excellency’s candidacy as the United Nations Secretary General. 

His Royal Highness also sends a similar message to His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, on the country’s Anniversary of Unity Day.  His Royal Highness says he appreciates the cooperation and friendship enjoyed by both Brunei Darussalam and Germany, and looks forward to continuing to strengthen the much-valued relations in the coming years.

A group of officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tuesday joined residents of Kampung Lamunin in Tutong to perform the Bertedarus at the Kampung Bukit Sulang, Kampung Menengah Mosque.  It was part of the ministry’s series of visits in this month of Ramadhan to Mukim-mukim and Kampung-kampung.

Present at the ceremony were the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Hj Awang Adanan and his Deputy, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Dani.  The function included the saying of tahlil prayers and the handing over of an endowment for the mosque from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Tutong District Office and the Prisons Department. 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office and departments under it held a Bertedarus ceremony at the Kampong Serdang Mosque of Jalan Kota Batu.

 Present were the Minister of Energy, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Yahya, the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Minister, Dato Seri Paduka Eusof Agaki, the Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries as well as senior officers and staff at the Prime Minister’s Office and the various departments under it.  The function coincided with an endowment of electrical appliances and reading materials from the State Mufti Office, the Legislative Council, Internal Security Department and Radio Television Brunei.  The donations were presented by the State Mufti to the Imam of Kampung Serdang Mosque, Haji Talipudin bin Haji Bungsu.  This is an annual religious project of the Prime Minister’s Office.

On the same occasion, Muslims are sought to read and study the holy Al-Quran as it is the best religious practice especially during this holy month of Ramadhan which is full of benevolent deeds.  The Prime Minister’s Office and departments under it continued their mobile Bertedarus activity, and Tuesday, it was at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Mosque at Kampung Rimba, Gadong.  The function also coincided with the Bertahlil ritual.

Present were the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya, the Commissioner of Police, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Awang Zainuddin and the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz.  Also present were Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as several senior officials and staff of departments under the Prime Minister’s Office. 

 The gathering also saw the handing over of an endowment in the form of electrical appliances for the use of the mosque.  The Minister of Energy presented the donations to the Imam of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Mosque, Kampong Rimba,  Awang Haji Mohammad Afdzillah bin Haji Mohammad Yussof.

Bertahlil ceremonies for His Majesty’s late parents, Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien and Al-Marhummah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit continue to be held at the Royal Mausoleum in the capital. Tuesday, it was conducted by officers and staff of the Setia Protective Security Services.  The congregation was led by the Company’s Deputy Director, Awang Bahrin bin Mohammad Noor.

The welfare of orphans in the sultanate has always been the concern of the benevolent.  The Pengiran Muda Mahkota Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Fund for Orphans was further boosted with a contribution from a local telecommunications company, the DST Group.  The donations were received by the Chief Executive Officer of Fund, Dato Paduka Haji Ali Hashim bin Haji Daud.

The DST Group donated twenty thousand dollars as part of its annual contributions.  The donations were presented by its Chief Operating Officer, Awang Haji Marsad bin Haji Ismail.  The Fund appreciates the support given by the public in its efforts to improve the life of orphans in Brunei Darussalam.  The function took place at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation Headquarters in Jalan Kumbang Pasang.

The hazy condition affecting the air quality in Brunei Darussalam was at moderate level.    It was recorded by the Department of Environment, Park and Recreation, in Berakas and various parts of Bandar Seri Begawan.

According to the Department, the Air Pollution Index recorded showed the air quality was at the moderate level, with PSI reading of 71.  The PSI reading in the Brunei-Muara District was 59, the Belait District 66 and the Temburong District 64.