By command of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Grand Chamberlain, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin hereby announces that Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah, wife of Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Khairul Khalil bin Pengiran Syed Haji Jaafari gave birth to a prince, Tuesday, 10th Rabiulawal 1429 Hijriah corresponding to 18th March 2008 at 10:26 a.m.  A 17-gun salute was fired at the compound of the Istana Nurul Iman.

The Legal Year began with the Chief Justice inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Royal Brunei Police Force.  The Honourable Chief Justice, Dato Seri Paduka Mohammed Saied, in his speech, went on to elaborate on the number of various cases handled by the Magistrate’s Court, Intermediate Court and High Court during 2007.  He said there are now 6 capital cases awaiting trial of which 4 are for drug trafficking, 1 for murder and 1 for possession of firearm without authority.  He said the dates for 3 of the drug trafficking cases and the firearms case have been set, but there has been difficulty in getting a Bajau interpreter for one of the pending drug trafficking cases. 

The Chief Justice said that criminal cases registered in the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate’s Court  was 3,364 cases last year, up by 702 from 2006; likewise the number of criminal cases registered in the Tutong Magistrate’s Court had also increased to 144, this being 61 more than in 2006.  The Temburong Court registered 12 criminal cases last year compared to 6 in 2006.  However, the number of criminal cases filed by the Kuala Belait Magistrate’s Court went down, from 332 in 2006 to 321 cases last year.  At the same time, 2007 saw some 1985 civil cases being registered in the Magistrate’s Court in the four districts last year, compared to only 1,931 cases the previous year.

Meanwhile the Intermediate Court had 135 civil matters registered in 2007, 58 less than in 2006 and 21 criminal matters were registered, an increase of 2 from the previous year. At the same time the high court heard 11 criminal cases last year, down from 22 in 2006. The high court also dealt with 161 civil cases last year compared to 174 in 2006.

The President of the Law Society of Brunei Darussalam, Awang Muhammad Zainidi bin Abdul Hamid, for his part, also welcomed the fact that UNISSA would also introduce a Law Degree programme which he said could lead to the development of the legal fraternity in Brunei Darussalam.  This will also enhance the pool of legally qualified people in the country.  He also said that this is only the third year in which lawyers in private practice are being represented by the Law Society which is responsible among other things, for maintaining and improving the standards and conduct of the legal profession.  He said the trust given to the society by the government in promulgating the Law Society order has shown that members are capable of delivering what is expected of them.  He said to date, there have been 11 complaints about lawyers with 3 different inquiry committees looking into certain complaints.  The ceremony was held at the High Court Building in Jalan Tutong, Tuesday.

He added that libraries play the role of enhancing the reading culture toward producing a knowledgeable society.  The Minister said his ministry will always work towards expanding the library services to the whole local community.  The establishment of a library in the kampung area will make it easier for the villagers to obtain reading materials.  

Built at a cost of 0.97 million dollars, the Lambak Kanan Library building is equipped with various facilities including a reading area, borrowing counter, a meeting room, children’s reading area and a surau.  The library is located at Jalan 99, in Kampung Perpindahan Lambak Kanan.

In this connection, the Director of Language and Literature Bureau said one of the main objectives of the Language and Literature Bureau is to instill and arouse interest in reading among young students.  It is part of efforts to make the next generation of Bruneians a highly knowledgeable community.  To achieve this objective, he said, the Bureau has taken appropriate measures to ensure the young ones become keen readers. He also disclosed a number of new moves by the Language and Literature Bureau to promote Brunei Darussalam to all parts of the world.  

According to the Bureau’s Director, among the measures taken are, there would no longer be any restriction on the type of books that Library members or other clients could borrow.  This in turn would produce a customer friendly atmosphere.  Firstly, there’s no more restriction on what books could be borrowed.  The Bureau’s main objective in lending books is to get the students interested in reading and use the Library often. Because of this, no obstacle would be placed that could make them lose interest.  Dr. Mataim also noted that another new measure implemented by the Bureau is producing books in the English Language in various phases and limited quantities.  It is actually an aspiration of the Bureau, of everyone, and also the nation, so that the knowledge that Brunei and Bruneians possess is transferred to the rest of the world.  The Director said among the most effective ways is translating relevant materials into English and distributing them to worldwide.  

This was underscored during the 45th competition on Religious Talk and Interpretation of the Al-Quran among Religious Schools in conjunction with the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be Upon Him.  The competition was held at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

Dato Paduka Haji Awang Ishaaq also said that in the teaching of the Al-Quran, the teachers need to find a new approach toward a dynamic method of teaching and learning of the Al-Quran.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary also presented the prizes to the winners.  Awang Mohammad Rifat Atiyah bin Haji Anwari from the Pengiran Anak Puteri Norain Religious School, Tutong, emerged as the champion in the boy’s category; while Norsyarf Syazwana binti Ahmad Yani from the Pengiran Muda Abdul Azim Religious School, Serasa, Brunei Area Two, topped the girls’ category.

He received $300.00 from the Institute Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and another $300.00 from Brunei Shell Petroleum along with each of the awards.  Meanwhile, the Special Award for Academic Excellence was presented to Dayang Nurliyana Aqilah binti Juni.  She obtained 8 aggregates and A1 in the ‘O’ level examination and 4As and 1 B in the ‘A’ level exam.

In line with its policy and objective, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation is contributing assistance to students affected by the floods more than a month ago in the Temburong District.  The 233 recipients consists students from ten primary, secondary and religious schools as well as private institutions.  The students received coupons each worth 30 dollars and school stationery.  

The foundation’s Managing Director, Dato Paduka Haji Ali Hashim bin Haji Daud presented the donations to the respective principals of the schools.  Also present at the event were several officials from the government and the foundation.

Several designated roads leading to the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, will be closed to traffic tomorrow, 20th March 2008 to facilitate the holding of the mass gathering and procession marking the birthday anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).  The closure is effective from half past six in the morning.  

For guests with special parking stickers, the road will stay open for them until half past seven in the morning.  The police also reminded the public that several parking lots destined for guests are to be vacated by half past ten in the evening of 19th March.  Bus service ferrying the public to the event are to park at the Jame Asr’ Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampung Kiulap.  Members of the public are also advised to pool transport to avoid traffic congestion.