News: 20/08/2009

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Underground passage Blast and Kidnap Operation

A national exercise to test the coordination and capability of government agencies led by the Royal Brunei Police Force was held Wednesday afternoon. The exercises involved several incidents around Bandar Seri Begawan. It began with an exercise involving a blast in an underground passage near the Portview Restaurant which leads to the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation building. The incident occurred at around 20 minutes past 2 this afternoon. Security personnel including members of the Royal Brunei Police Forces and Fire services were immediately rushed to the scene to secure the area. Several people were said to be injured in the incident. According to the Public Relations Officer of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Chief Inspector Burhan bin Abang, they acted immediately after receiving the distress call through its hotline. In this incident, security forces were said to have received a report concerning a white power which was found scattered around the underground passage. Members from the Hazmat unit of the Fire and Rescue Service wearing full safety gears rushed to the scene to investigate. Paramedics were also deployed for rescue operations and to treat the injured. Security personnel also cordoned off the area. Heavily armed members of Marine Police also conducted a river blockade while water taxis were barred from entering the scene.

Meanwhile, another scenario involving a kidnapping incident was played out at the Sheraton Utama hotel in the capital. The incident occurred around 5 o'clock in the afternoon. The Operation Centre received a call concerning a blast in the car park area in front of the hotel's main door. Security personnel rushed to scene upon receiving the distress call. The Operation Centre also received a report that a number of hotel staff were held hostage by five unidentified men. This exercise was to test the capability and readiness of government agencies especially law enforcement personnel in the face of terrorist attacks.

Bomb threats Teck Guan Plaza building

An exercise to handle bomb threats was also conducted Wednesday night while shops were getting ready to close their businesses for the day. The Royal Brunei Police Control Centre received an emergency call at around 8.50 in the evening. The area involved was the Teck Guan Plaza building. When RTB's crew arrived at the scene, an area of 100 metres has been cordoned off. The police were able to ease the public's fears and prevented the public from entering the cordoned off area. In front of the Standard Chartered Bank headquarters was a vehicle believed to contain a bomb. Within the hour, several explosions occurred at the old customs building area resulting in large clouds of thick smoke coming out of the windows. The fire and rescue services department expended all efforts to contain the fire. RTB's crew tried to film the incident as closely as possible but was prevented from doing so by the police officers on duty. A number of recordings were also taken when a bomb reconnoiter robot was used.

Terrorisms ended early morning

The National exercises to handle terrorism ended early this morning with a raid on a local residence in Kampong Bebuloh that was identified to be used by terrorists in the country. The raid was conducted by the Royal Brunei Police Force Special Task Force who was leading the exercises. The special task force inspected the residence that was believed to house weapons and explosive devices. During the raid, a large number of explosive devices and weapons used by the terrorists were found. The raid also involved a special unit from the gurkha reserve unit using several sniffer drugs. The exercise was to coordinate and test the existing procedures on all relevant agencies involved. Apart from that it was also aimed at identifying the existing capabilities from the logistics and time management aspects while conducting the exercises as well as coordinate cooperation among the security authority agencies. The terrorism committee will provide an order for a national level working procedures as a result of the joint exercises.

Best and Excellent Student Award

A total of 210 government and non-government primary students throughout the country, Wednesday received their best and excellent student award. Out of the number, 12 students received the excellent student award. The ceremony took place at the International Convention Centre in Berakas. On hand to present the prizes and the certificates of appreciation was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Datin Paduka Dayang Apsah. The Best And Excellent Student Award is an annual project organised by the Ministry Of Education and conducted by the Primary Education Section, Schools Department and Non-Government Section.

KUPUSB and UNISSA held thanksgiving ceremony

Students of the Seri Begawan Religious Training College University have completed 3 year courses in Religious Courses for the 2006 to 2009 session. To mark this, a thanksgiving ceremony has taken place. The function was highlighted with an Al-Zin and Al-Insan reading by university students as well as  surah Al-Insan recitals. Present were the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry Of Religious Affairs, Awang Haji Md Mahdi and his wife, Dyg Hjh Rasidah Bte Hj Md Zain who also sprinkled scented flowers upon 118 just-graduated university students. The function was also in recognition of the first batch of Post Graduate Teaching Diplomas In Religious Studies.

Meanwhile, 14 Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, UNISSA students were chosen to further their studies for a year at selected universities abroad. A thanksgiving ceremony for the students who will undergo the one year study abroad for 2009/2010 academic session was held Wednesday. The Deputy Permanent Secretary (Higher Education), Ministry Of Education, Awang Haji Suhaila bin Haji Abdul Karim in his speech among others said, the selected students is the unofficial ambassadors for UNISSA and Brunei Darussalam. As a representative of the University and the country, the students are hoped could uphold the good name of the country. The one year study program abroad will give exposure and experience to the students in the new study environment.

Hospitals Safe from Disaster Drawing Competition

"Safe Hospital: Create ASEAN Hospitals Safe from Disasters" was the theme for this year's regional drawing competition. It was held in conjunction with the Asean Disaster Management Day 2009 and the International Day for reducing Disaster. The theme emphasised on the importance of health facilities such as hospital to be strong and safe during disaster. Awang Muhammad Yusdi bin Haji Mohd Yusof from Lubok Pulau Primary School, Tutong took first place and received cash prize of B$300. Second and third place was won by Awang Md Amirul Aqrabi bin Awang Ahmad from Nusa Laila Puteri School and Awang Muhamad Ali bin Abdul Razak from Ahmad Tajuddin Primary School, Kuala Belait. Prizes were presented by the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dato Paduka Awang Serbini bin Haji Ali. The winning entries will be submitted to the ASEAN level competitions to be held in October.  The drawings are being exhibited along side a collection of His Majesty's photographs while visiting the National Disaster Management Centre and areas affected by floods. The exhibition is open to the public for two days starting from Wednesday at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation Complex in the capital.

Laksamana College open new premise

With the country's infrastructure, political and economical sustainability, Brunei Darussalam have an advantage to make Brunei a Centre of Excellence in Education compared to the other country in the region. Laksamana College of Business, LCB started with only 25 students in 2003. However, the total numbers of students currently studying at the college have increased to 200 students. To cater facilities for the increasing number of its students, the Laksamana College of Business opened its new premise on the 3rd floor of Plaza Abdul Razak. Present at the function was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dato Paduka Awang Serbini Haji Ali and the Director of LCB, Yang DiMuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Ratna Setia Dato Setia Haji Awang Abdul Hapidz.

H1N1 worldwide cases

As released by the world health organisation, by early this morning, a total of 227,915 cases of influenza A H1N1 have been confirmed in 182 countries worldwide. This figure is an increase of by 18,925 cases from the previous week with 8 countries reporting for the first time.

However, as most countries are no longer required to carry out laboratory testing and report individual cases, the actual number of those infected is expected to be higher. Compared to the previous week, 430 new deaths related to influenza A H1N1 have been reported worldwide including 55 new deaths reported in ASEAN member countries. This brings the total number of deaths related to influenza A H1N1 worldwide to 2,146. Total number of cases and deaths related to influenza A H1N1 in ASEAN member countries, as reported to the World Health Organisation.

With the increase in total number of deaths related to influenza A H1N1 globally, the ministry of health continues to remind members of the public who are showing symptoms of influenza, especially those who also suffer from chronic illnesses, to immediately seek medical attention, without delay. This is because people with chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus and cancer as well as pregnant mothers are at a higher risk of developing serious complications including death due to the infection of the virus.

The Ministry of Health is also advising the public to avoid or delay unnecessary travel to other countries, especially to countries that are seriously affected by influenza A H1N1. Those who need to travel to other countries are advised to take precautionary measures such as practicing good personal hygiene, practicing correct coughing or sneezing etiquette, avoiding those who have symptoms of influenza and avoiding crowded places. Meanwhile, in the week commencing 10th August 2009 and ended on 16th August 2009, Brunei Darussalam has recorded  a total of five thousand 221 patients with symptoms of influenza have sought medical treatment at health centres throughout the country. From this total, 10 point 2 percent have been categorized as probable cases of influenza A H1N1 and treated with anti-viral.

In the same week, 74 new cases of influenza A H1N1 have been confirmed through laboratory tests, bringing the total confirmed cases to 971. Within the same period, 27 classes from 23 schools throughout the country have been advised to be closed following the confirmation of influenza A H1N1 cases among the school population.

Electric Bills payment counters close for 1^st day Ramadhan

Department Of Electrical Services would like to inform that all the counters for elecricity bills payment and purchase of prepayment meters coupons will be close on Saturday, 22 August 2009, the 1st day of Ramadhan. Customers who wish to pay for their electricity bills or purchase prepayment meter coupons please do so before the said dates. For prepaid meter customers, they are advised to have enough credits during the public holiday.

Qlap Cleaning Campaign

The Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department advised the public to be more pro-active in maintaining the cleanliness of the town. In that regard, the Municipal Department continues to organise a cleaning campaign. Wednesday night campaign took place at the Kampong Kiulap Commercial Area. The department also would like to stress that they will impose a compound to those throwing rubbish indiscriminately in public places for the amount of not more B$300 for individually and not more than B$500 for companies. Failure to  pay the compound, legal action can be taken against the offender and if found guilty, he or she is liable to fine of B$3,000 and imprisonment to a period not exceeding 3 months.

Mukim Peramu received donations

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