The Ministry of Home Affairs and departments under it held a Khatam Al-Quran ceremony to mark the culmination of reading 30 chapters of the Al-Quran during the fasting month of Ramadhan to beget blessings from Allah the Al-Mighty.  The Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Adanan and his deputy, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Dani were among those present.  The event took place at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Mosque in Kampung Rimba.  The mosque also received an endowment in the form of electrical appliances from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Brunei Muara District Office and the Labour Department.

At the function, the Minister of Home Affairs presented donations to a fire victim, Dayang Nafisah binti Haji Mat Salleh whose house was gutted by fire last Monday and subsequently presented gifts to 40 orphan children of Kampung Rimba and the Rimba Gadong Housing Scheme.  The Khatam Al-Quran ceremony was conducted by the Mukim and Kampung Rimba Consultative Council.  

Also yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister’s Office and departments under it held the bertedarus and tahlil rites at the Seri Begawan Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Kampung Katimahar.  Present among the congregation were the Minister of Energy, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Yahya; the Syari’e Chief Judge, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Abdul Hamid; the Syariah Court Judges, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim and Dato Seri Setia Haji Metussin.

Also attending the gathering were Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as senior officers and staff.  Included at the function was a presentation of wakaf or an endowment in the form of electrical equipments and religious books to the mosque for the use of worshippers.  The endowment from the State Judicial and Audit Departments was presented by the Syar’ie Chief Judge to the Imam of the mosque.

The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation marked the 14th anniversary of its establishment Wednesday with the holding of the Khatam Al-Quran and doa kesyukuran ceremony.  The function was attended by the foundation’s board of directors, administrative officers, staff as well as teachers of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation School.  Students of the Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute read the 30 chapters of the Al-Quran led by Awang Mohammad Hashim bin Haji Abdullah.  This was followed by the doa kesyukuran.

Over the 14 years of its establishment, the foundation has successfully implemented a number of projects aligned to its policy of development in the field of Islamic religious knowledge, welfare, education and finance aimed at enhancing the prosperity of citizens of the sultanate.  The function was held Wednesday at the foundation’s premises.

With the implementation of e-Government programmes in all government ministries, the level of service that will be provided to the public will be upgraded and more comprehensive.  This was stated by the Permanent Secretary for Administration and Financial, Ministry of Development at the 13th Civil Service Day celebration in the Belait District, Wednesday.  Awang Haji Brahim bin Haji Ismail said at the same time technology on the basis of information will promote productivity of a unit or section concerned.  He added the Malay Islamic Monarchy Concept should become the foundation in upholding the trust and responsibility as a member of the civil service.  

At the event, the Belait District Officer, Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Abdul Rahman led government officers and staff in the reading of the pledge of the Civil Service.  The function included presentation of retirement certificates to 60 government officers and staff who retired recently.  

Meanwhile, the Director of Management Service, Awang Sa Bali bin Abas handed over a complaint and suggestion box to the Belait District Officer.  The district is the first to receive the box enabling the public to forward suggestions or complaints regarding the government service.  The box will be placed at the District Office.  There was also an exhibition and health check for government officers and staff.  This year’s Civil Service Day was themed “Civil Service - Customer Friendly”.

A four-month campaign to increase public awareness on fire hazards in the home and its prevention methods for residents in the Temburong District has begun.  It was officially launched Wednesday by the Assistant Temburong District Officer, Awang Matusin bin Orang Kaya Sura Haji Tuba with Kampung Amo ‘B’ Longhouse being the first venue. Awang Matusin also handed over posters and flyers to penghulus, kampung ketuas and heads of longhouses in the district and subsequently viewed an exhibition pertaining to the project.  

The campaign is intended to disseminate valuable information to the community on fire prevention in the home.  The awareness campaign includes safety talks by the Fire and Rescue and the Electrical Departments.  This year alone, 6 fire incidents occurred in the district with an estimated property loss of almost 800 thousand dollars.  The campaign is organised by the Fire and Rescue Department Branch in the Temburong District in collaboration with the Temburong District Office.

Muslims in the country will celebrate the festive season of Hari Raya Aidilfitri in about two weeks time.  Currently, sales offering special prices to customers mushroomed everywhere cashing in during the festive season.  Meanwhile, a Hari Raya Aidilfitri Special Sale was officially opened Wednesday at the Bumiputera Commercial and Trade Centre in the capital by the Acting Chairman of Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board, Awang Haji Nairul Anwar bin Haji Abdul Lahai.

A total of fifty-six booths are involved in the special sale that began on the 30th of last month and will run until the end of Ramadhan.  The programme is an annual activity of vendors at the Multiple Car Park Building and Bumiputra Commercial and Trade Centre. Among the products being sold to cater to the preparation for the festive season include clothing for children, women and men, biscuits and cakes, household decorations to name a few.

Royal Brunei Airlines has emerged as a runner up to Hawaiian Airlines in the “Best Entertainment for the Main Screen” category.  RBA received the 2006 Avion Awards sponsored by the World Airline Entertainment Association, WAEA, and which was determined by the international media panels that evaluated in-flight audio, video, magazines and interactive media from leading passenger airlines worldwide.  The in-flight entertainment entries were judged for originality, suitability, production value, content and balance.  The 23-member international judging panel evaluated more than 160 samples in-flight audio, video, print and interactive media that appeared in 42 commercial services worldwide during the period from June 2005 to May 2006. 

Currently, Royal Brunei Airlines flies to 22 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.  The airline operates on Boeing 767’s, Airbus 319’s and 320’s.  Royal Brunei Airlines had also won several awards in the flight categories in recent years for service, magazine, meals and now entertainment.

A smuggling attempt of frozen meat into the country through sea route was foiled by the Police Marine of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Tuesday night.  The illegal smuggling activity was detected during the Police Marine’s Operation at Pulau Cermin and Tanjung Kindana at about 10.45pm.  The suspected motor boat operator escaped and disappeared after being chased by the policemen at the Jetty “JAMPANG” in the Kampung Sungai Besar Housing in Kota Batu.  The wanted man left behind his boat containing the 21 boxes of dubious frozen meat ‘ALANA’.  The frozen meats weighing of 396 kilogrammes were the biggest being confiscated by Police Marine so far.  The boat for illegal smuggling activity was also confiscated.

Meanwhile, five foreign nationals involving in the illegal fishing in Brunei’s water are being remanded in custody.  The fishing boat was also confiscated by the enforcement agency.  The five men were caught in the act of fishing in the 10.7 nautical miles off Berakas Beach waters by Police Marine and the Fishery Department’s officers during Maritime operation.  The 900 kilogrammes of fish were also confiscated.  

Under the Fishing Act of Fishery Regulation, if one found guilty is liable to face a maximum fine of 2500 or one year imprisonment.  While under Section 4(5) Act of Fishery Limit, one can be fined to 100-thousand dollars.