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Anti-Piracy Campaign
Brunei Darussalam is currently on a piracy watch list. This
was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer of
Malaysian Recording Industry Association, R-I-M in an
interview during a media conference on Anti-Piracy
Campaign recently. According to Tan Ngiap Foo, this was
based on a Febuary's report that led the US Government
to put Brunei on a Watch List. He said RIM conducted a
market survey in Brunei market in May last year. He
added they were shocked to find that pirated music in
Brunei is currently nearing 100 percent. This he said
brings heavy loses to the music industry especially for
Malaysian singers. According to a study conducted by
RIM, problems of piracy jumped from less than 5 percent
in 1999 to 99 percent last year.
The study also showed that the number of shops selling
pirated CDs and VCDs also on the rise with 46 shops in
2008. However, the number increases to 52 in six month
periods. Towards reducing the problems of piracy in the
country, RIM has formed an alliance with the Brunei
Darussalam Attorney General Office and the Royal Brunei
Police Forces in launching a joint campaign against
piracy. He said the campaign was to eradicate piracy on
behalf of all parties in Malaysia. He added that
Malaysian artists have appealed to RIM to raised the
problems to Brunei Government, especially the AG
Chambers. The problem of piracy in Brunei he said is
very serious. They were also shocked to find out the
number of shops selling CDs and VCDs as of May last year
was more than 46 shops. He added they have lodged a
report to the AG Chambers and the Royal Brunei Police
Forces and have held several rounds of discussions on
the matter. nal 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.
Religious School Time during the month of Ramadan
The
Islamic Studies Department announces the Religious
School Time during the month of Ramadan for Arabic and
Religious schools. Pupils of pre-school, Primary One,
Two and Three, in particular, are given a holiday during
Ramadan. Meanwhile, for pupils in Primary Four, Five and
Six, studying in the morning session, their school time
will be from 8 a.m until 9.30 am.
For the afternoon session, learning time is from 12.30
pm until 2 pm. Meanwhile, learning time for pupils
attending Arabic Preparatory Schools is from 7.30 am
until 11.40 in the morning; while classed for students
of Arabic Secondary Schools starts at 7.30 in the
morning and ends at half past 12 in the afternoon.
Culture and eating habit during Ramadan
As
muslims began fasting in the month of Ramadan, their
meal time changes and so does their eating habits. These
changes are influenced by several factors, such as the
culture and eating habit of individual countries. In the
month of Ramadan, muslims normally eat two times a day,
once early in the morning called 'bersahur' and another
in early evening, a time called 'breaking the fast or
bersungkai'. This is as opposed to the normal three
times meal daily.
Studies shows that with the lesser daily food intake,
muslims seems to preferred high calories food compared
to the normal months. This month also provided an
opportunity to those who want to reduce their weight.
However, many will tend to get carried away with the
food they eat as only in this time of the year that
varieties of foods are easily available. And they ended
up eating more than their normal intake.
Therefore muslims are encouraged to take food such as
dates, water, cereals and wholemeal bread when breaking
the fast. Foods high in carbohydrates, protein and
fibres can only be taken after performing the Maghrib
prayer and during 'sahur'. Those who preferred balanced
diet during the month of Ramadhan should avoid
carbonated or cordial drinks, fried, fatty and oily
foods as will as high calories cakes. Fasting the whole
day will make one hungry which led to uncontrolled food
intake and overeating during breaking the fast. Those
who are health conscious are encouraged to take more
vegetables, fruits, plain water or fruit juices. Taking
more water or fruit juices during 'bersahur' is also
recommended to avoid dehydration during the day.
Gerai Belia
Ramadan also gives entrepreneurs, especially youth, wide
business opportunities. The most lucrative business
during this noble month is that in the food and drinks
for the breaking of fast. The rise is significant during
this fasting month when Muslims abstain from eating and
drinking. Ramadan Stalls near the Hassanal Bolkiah
National Stadium organised by the Brunei Youth Council,
represents the combination of local entrepreneurs
especially among youths.
Every year, the Brunei Youth Council continues to
receive encouraging participation from youths who are
keen at running the food and drinks business at the
stalls. Meanwhile, youths who have been participating
for years in the Ramadan Stalls business organised by
the Brunei Youth Council say their involvement has given
them useful experience and knowledge in business
operation even though it deals with only food and
drinks. The experience has helped them greatly in
correcting their past mistakes and improving their
business strategy, besides filling their spare time
beneficially and increasing their income.
They also say that running a business is interesting and
trains them to be self-reliant. For youths who are
interested in business, shyness is out of the question.
An effective strategy and a customer-friendly business
atmosphere are important, especially in selling food and
drinks such as at the Ramadan Stalls. Most of the youths
who are participating in the Ramadan Stall business are
part-time entrepreneurs who are also working in the
government and private sectors. Nonetheless, with keen
interest in business, they still continue with their
enterprise. Although the Ramadan Stalls are organised
once a year, the business experience can help the youth
to develop their enterprises at other times besides
Ramadan. The experience can also convince them not to
rely solely on the government and private sector for
jobs. For the job-seekers, running a business could be
the best initiative in gathering first hand experience
in entrepreneurship.............[End
News]
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