|     Lyna Mohamad     |

A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday between the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) and the Brunei Darussalam Golf Association (BDGA), at the Radisson Hotel in the capital.

Signing on behalf of the BDGA was the President, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha bin Pengiran Metassan, while the KLPGA was represented by its Chairman, Kang Chunja.

Prior to the signing, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha made a welcoming speech, thanking the KLPGA for helping to promote Brunei tourism through golfing activities.

“This will be beneficial to the BDGA, in expanding its international cooperative network,” he said.

The signing was broadcast live on South Korean television, which is hoped to attract more Koreans to Brunei.

Meanwhile, various tourism sectors will assist the BDGA on how to conduct publicity and marketing for its activities.

In her corresponding remarks, Kang Chunja expressed the hope that this agreement would establish a solid foundation for a favourable relationship between the BDGA and KLPGA.

The MoU will place Brunei Darussalam as the third overseas destination for the KLPGA tour.

Later, Kang, the first female professional golfer in South Korea and founder of the KLPGA, told the Bulletin that this was the first time they had ever held a tournament in Brunei. “We had plenty of opportunities to open tournaments in Taiwan, China and Vietnam, but this is an entirely new market, so it has an important meaning for us,” she said.

“The biggest hope for the MoU is the development the golfing industry in Brunei and South Korea, with more favourable connections between the BDGA and KLPGA.”

Haji Mohd Said bin Yaakub, the Secretary General of the BDGA, said that as one of associations registered under the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, their main mission is to promote and to develop the sport of golf in Brunei.

“Insya Allah, we will try to see if we can get our youths to be involved in golf, through engagement and exposure in caddie activities,” he said.

Co-sanctioned by the KLPGA and BDGA with their local partner Kor Bru Sdn Bhd, the country will become part of KLPGA’s regular competition season for 2018, with the tournament to held on March 17-19, 2018, with the total prize money of 700 million Won (approximately B$850,000).

Additionally, the MoU will also lend more importance to the KLPGA’s future engagements with the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in terms of boosting sports tourism for the Sultanate.

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|     Lyna Mohamad     |

A SECOND signing ceremony for the upcoming 20th Consumer Fair (CF2O) took place yesterday at Starbucks Beribi.

Present to sign on behalf of the organiser D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd was its Managing Director Jackson Ting and Operations Manager Ngu Tiing Siang signed as witness.

The event began with the partnership signing between D’Sunlit and Ranoadidas, signed by its founder Rano Iskandar and witnessed by Business Development Manager D’Sunlit Gavin Chai.

This was followed with the signing between D’Sunlit and Official CF20 Travel Partner, Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) signed by Executive General Manager- Sales and Marketing Brett McDougall and witnessed by Manager Marketing-Commercial Department, Alirahim bin Haji Abdul Rani.

During the running of CF20, the national carrier will be offering discounted fares exclusively for visitors to the fair and additionally visitors will also stand a chance to win return air tickets on long-haul and short-haul destinations on RB as part of the CF20 grand lucky draw sponsored by D’Sunlit.

DST will once again join the fair as the event’s official activity partner along with Brunei’s most listened radio station, KRISTALfm as the event’s official broadcast radio, hosting mini live studio just outside the main plenary hall of International Convention Centre (ICC) and will be inviting the general public to come and interact with the DJ’s.

Signing on behalf of DST was its Group Marketing Acting Senior Manager, Dona Eldeyana binti Johan and witnessed by Group Marketing Manager, Azmi Ghazali.

During the five-day fair, DST will offer a sneak into the iPhone and Samsung bundles and contract plans ready to offer its customers with registration and payment service made available for customers as well as Easi Load services for those in need of emergency top-up on the go.

With the future in mind and the current Augmented Reality (AR) technology at the fingertips of many iPhones and Android users, the mobile provider will also host its Augmented Reality Competition for iPhone users with the top two highest scored will compete to win an iPhone X.

Non-iPhone residents are not left out too as there will be stage games for the public of all ages to participate and win amazing prizes beginning from January 26 – 28, 2018.

In addition, as the official event activity partner, DST has also lined up fun games for its customers.

CF20 will also feature a 90’s inspired vintage shop to coincide with the theme ‘Remembering Celebrating the Present and Envisioning the Future’, which will bring consumers back to the past, reminiscing their childhood through games.

Also in alignment to the theme, ARTTRALIA along with D’Sunlit will be showcasing several unique masterpieces in the form of a Neon Gallery created by several local mural artists from ARTTRALIA.

The 20th edition of the fair will also be the final pit stop of the Missing Endangered Campaign, the first ever international collaboration established between WWF Malaysia and D’Sunlit where the pit stop will showcase 2,000 mini ceramic elephant figurines and are available for purchase with all proceeds made going to WWF Malaysia.

These figurines were coloured by students from 18 collaborating schools in Brunei and purchasing them will be a great support gesture for this charity awareness programme initiated by D’Sunlit.

CF20 will also be offering plenty of eating competitions to be conducted by Olive Tree Corporation and Hui Huang Enterprise.

Adding more hype to this 20th instalment of the Consumer Fair series, corporates such as AEC Sdn Bhd and Cuckoo International (B) Sdn Bhd will also be conducting their own grand draws.

Cuckoo International (B) will be giving out a pair of flight tickets to join their Cuckoo Media Trip to South Korea.

The draw segment doesn’t stop here as entering the most highly favoured and anticipated 20th Consumer Fair Grand Lucky Draw will see one lucky winner driving away a brand new Toyota Vios.

Organised and managed by D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd, CF20 will be held at the ICC, Berakas from January 24 to January 28, from 10am – 10pm daily except on Friday where doors will temporarily be closed from 12pm – 2pm due to the Friday prayers.

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|     James Kon     |

A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) was inked between the Brunei Art Forum and the Korea Fine Arts Association yesterday, ushering in a new era of cultural exchanges between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Korea.

On hand to witness the historic signing at the opening of the Korean Arts Festival were Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof and Korean Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Cho Won Myung.

The signatories were Brunei Art Forum President Dato Paduka Haji Shofry bin Haji Abdul Ghafor and Korean Fine Arts Association President Lee Bum Hun.

Through the MoU, both associations will cooperate on the creation, research, collection, education, exchange and exhibition of the arts.

In his welcoming remarks, Dato Paduka Haji Shofry said, “We look forward to hosting our own exhibition in Korea in the future. The artistic collaboration will further strengthen people-to-people exchanges between both countries, in line with the government’s policy to enhance Brunei-Korea relations.”

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|     James Kon     |

FIFTY solo exhibitions and 140 group exhibitions – featuring the works of over 100 Korean artists – are being staged at The Empire Hotel & Country Club as part of the Korean Art Festival, which was officially launched yesterday.

Present at the launch as the guest of honour were Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof and Korean Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Cho Won Myung.

Deputy Permanent Secretary (Tourism) at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali, Brunei Art Forum President Dato Paduka Haji Shofry bin Haji Abdul Ghafor, Korean Fine Arts Association President Lee Bum Hun, chair of the festival’s planning committee Kim Bo Yeon, chair of the festival’s steering committee Min Han Gi, and chair of the festival’s executive committee Yoon Woo Hong were also present.

The festival – jointly organised by the Korean Fine Arts Association, Brunei Art Forum, Creative Space Brunei and the Korean Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, and facilitated by Sinar Tour Sdn Bhd – will run until January 18.

During the launch, a number of Korean artists were presented with awards in recognition of their creativity.

Yang Jung Hwa and Kim Ho Sung both received the Great Excellence Award from Lee Bum Heon.

Shin Hyun Dae, Jung Heng Ja, Jang Mi Young and Shim Jeong Oh were each presented with the Excellence Award by Kim Bo Yeon.

Meanwhile, Kim Bo Yeon received the Plaque of Merit Award, which was presented by Lee Bum Heon.

Following the award presentation, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports went on to tour the exhibition and speak with the artists.

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|     Rokiah Mahmud     |

THE four-day ‘Agricultural Enterprise Exposure Programme for Youth through Contract Farming’ will expose participants to contract farming in the hope of raising youth involvement in the agriculture sector.

This was highlighted by Hajah Aidah binti Haji Mohd Hanifah, the Director of Agriculture and Agrifood at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) yesterday during her speech at the opening of the programme at the Rimba Horticulture Centre, Gadong.

Hajah Aidah said that the programme is one of the initiatives by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood in support of its 2016 – 2020 strategic plans.

The programme, she added, seeks to encourage more entrepreneurs to venture into the agriculture field behind the reasoning that the sector has the potential to be very lucrative, especially if contract farming is employed, where modern high-tech systems – capable of improving agricultural output – are utilised.

“Hopefully through the programme we can attract more youth to venture into agriculture…those that are more committed, progressive and productive towards increasing the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP),” Hajah Aidah said.

The programme, which runs until January 18, will expose participants to modern technology used in contract farming, investment opportunities in the agriculture industry, as well as an agricultural enterprise financial simulation.

The day also included a briefing by representatives of Syarikat Gropoint – a company that will purchase crops produced in this contract farming programme.

During the programme, the entrepreneur participants will be required to set aside a sum of capital and begin farming selected crops or vegetables according to the prescribed quality standards. Syarikat Gropoint will then purchase and market their produce at harvest time.

The programme is divided into two sessions: a briefing and site visits to a number of agricultural farms including Ameenfarm Agrotech and Trading, RZ Prisma Enterprise, Syarikat Econadi Agrobiz, DD Agrobiz, and Kanglin Hydroponics Farming.

Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong was also in attendance.

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|     Wani Roslan     |

THE Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, made an official visit to Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic Boys Secondary School (SMALHB) yesterday. Joining the deputy minister was Haji Mohd Serudin bin Haji Timbang, the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA).

The deputy minister was welcomed by Ustazah Hajah Sarimah binti Haji Ahmad, Principal of SMALHB; Ustazah Hajijah binti Haji Moktal, Acting Director of the Islamic Studies Department (JPI); senior officials from the JPI; and teachers and staff of SMALHB. During his visit, the deputy minister stopped by several of the school’s Pre-University 1 (Pra U1) classrooms and interacted with the students.

Ustazah Hajijah said that learning for the school’s pre-university students is different now, with the school currently using a system that is successfully producing scholars and experts in both religious and general fields.

“In this school, the MoRA is preparing the students to be scholars to realise the country’s vision of producing an educated and highly skilled people, and the school has produced scholars and experts that have contributed to the country by serving in government agencies, not only in the MoRA but also in other ministries,” she said.

She urged parents who have sent their children to Arabic schools to put their trust in the MoRA, which has implemented a learning system in the schools based on both Brunei Darussalam’s National Education System for the 21st Century (SPN21) and the Ma’had Bu’uths Al-Islamiah Al-Azhariah from Egypt.

“With the combination of both education systems, we can produce excellent students in duniawi and ukhrawi, and be able to educate them to be scholars who can contribute to the development of Islamic Syiar in the country in any fields,” she added.

The education system at SMALHB is divided into two different streams: religious and general.

Among the subjects under the religious stream include Syariah, Usuluddin and Arabic Language.

The general stream is divided into two groups. The first group is for students who are taking both religious and general subjects, and will be sitting for the Brunei Religious Education Higher Certificate (STPUB) and GCE ‘A’ Level examinations.

The second group is for students who are taking general subjects and also learning Al-Quran, Arabic Language, Fiqh Islam, Tauhid and Amali.

Last year, the school achieved 96.8 per cent passes in the STPUB and 100 per cent passes in the Brunei-Cambridge GCE ‘A’ Level exams.

The school has 74 teaching staff; 326 Pra U1 students comprising 166 who are taking Syariah, 72 taking Usuluddin, 25 taking Arabic Language, 41 taking General I, and 22 taking General II; and 307 Pra U2 students.

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|     Rokiah Mahmud     |

ACCORDING to Hirman bin Haji Abu, the Head of Crop Industry Division at the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, those interested in hi-tech contract farming will be provided with a hectare of land as a start-up.

“What’s more, farmers won’t have to worry about a sales market, since they are given the assurance that Syarikat Gropoint will purchase their products,” he told the Bulletin.

“Aside from that, youths will need to have the passion, knowledge and resources, before venturing into this field. That way, they will be able meet the objectives of this programme, in addition to being more committed, progressive and productive.”

During the four-day programme, the department will assist the participants in terms of technical and fertilising methods, while appointed companies such as Syarikat Gropoint will provide them with training by guest experts from abroad.

Among the young participants is Syasya, from the Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Masna Secondary School, who said that the programme has exposed her to an entirely new approach to farming.

“The use of modern technology should increase crop production and provide a lucrative source of revenue for youths,” she said.

Meanwhile, Faizah, who recently sat for her GCE ‘O’ Level exams, told the Bulletin that the programme is a good start for those keen on having a career in the agricultural sector.

“Despite the use of modern technology, one would need to learn more on contract farming methods; about how it could benefit both sides and produce high-quality crops,” she said.

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|     Azaraimy HH     |

LIVESTOCK producers in the country should continue expanding their production – to fulfil the needs of the local market and for exports, create more jobs and make a bigger contribution to the country’s GDP growth, according to the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong.

The minister was speaking to the media on the sidelines of his visit to QAF Farm Sdn Bhd’s 65-hectare chicken farm at the Mungkom Agriculture Development Area, Kiudang in Tutong yesterday.

Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali said he would like to see local livestock farms put in more efforts to expand their operations and look into export opportunities, advising them to not stay complacent with their current levels of production.

Speaking about his visit to the farm, the minister said it was a continuation of his series of planned visits to agricultural sites and businesses in the country.

“What is interesting here at QAF Farm is that they have strong bio-security measures in place, for example, workers and visitors need to pass through a strict cleansing process, including changing of clothes and boots before [being allowed to go] into the farms,” said the minister.

The cleansing process is the first step to prevent pest infestation and diseases in the poultry. “This should be a good example for others to follow,” the minister added.

“I believe that there is a strong potential for this farm to be expanded, to increase their production and create more job opportunities.

“The same goes for the other farms, where their main objective should be to increase their production year on year, which will help in creating job opportunities and increasing their contributions towards the country’s GDP growth.”

The minister said that increasing production does not necessarily mean the farms only expand their share of the domestic market, but rather they should look into exporting their produce to countries such as Japan, Singapore, South Korea and others.

“They can expand not necessarily just in chicken meats, but also go into areas of opportunities such as egg layers,” the minister added.

“Our country needs development (growth) from all areas, because by staying the same, new jobs opportunities will not be created. From growth, there will also be growth in jobs. This goes for all businesses in the country, be they small, large or medium.”

General Manager of QAF Farm Bohari bin Dasin, meanwhile, said QAF Farm was established in 2001, which means it has now been in operation for 18 years.

“We started with production of around 1.5 million chickens a year, and in 2017 the production has increased to over 2.5 million chickens,” he said.

He pointed out that the increase has been gradual, taking into account the local market conditions.

Bohari added that depending on the company’s assessment, with assistance from relevant government agencies, QAF Farm is also looking for export opportunities, especially to developed countries, where they will be leveraging on the Brunei Halal brand as one of their strengths.

QAF Farm currently has 15 indoor chicken coops, with each having the capacity to accommodate 30,000 chickens.

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|     Khairil Hassan     |

THE Richard Mille Brunei Championships, sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour (ADT) organised in conjunction with the 34th Brunei Darussalam National Day celebration will offer a prize purse of US$60,000 and will run from the March 7-10. This was revealed during a press conference was held at the Empire Hotel, Golf and Country Club yesterday afternoon.

This professional golf event will feature several top Brunei amateur players. Some of local players are the four young players who representedBrunei in the most recent Southeast Asian (SEA) Games – Mohammed Qawiem Fakhri bin Haji Aslimon, Mohammad Qazzri Fakhri bin Haji Aslimon, Awangku Muhd Syakir bin Pengiran Haji Alli and Lai Suan Loong.

Two professional players joining the tournament are Haji Mohd Faiz bin Haji Damit and Pengiran Wirahadikusuma bin Pengiran Haji Mohd Salleh.

Haji Mohd Faiz said he did not join any tournaments in 2017 but had been practising since November 2017. “I’ve been practising at The Empire Hotel, Golf and Country Club and are planning to play in Bangkok for 10 days, followed by a series of tournaments in Kuala Lumpur, Bangladesh and other states in Malaysia as preparation, not only for the Brunei Championships but also for the whole year.

“My target is to get as many points as I can. I’ve been resting for quite some time.

“I hope to perform the best I can at the championships,” he said with a smile.

The promoter of the event is SPS Innovative Enterprise and the title sponsor is Brunei Heidlberg Cement. Royal Brunei Airlines is the tournament’s official airline.

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|     James Kon     |

LOCAL filmmaker Abdul Zainidi will be featured in Channel NewsAsia in May this year in Singapore’s TV documentary entitled, ‘The Asean I Know’ on May this year.

In an interview session between Abdul Zainidi and Augustine, the producer of the programme, Abdul Zainidi touched on Brunei where he highlighted, “Size is not a hindrance, we may be smaller compared to our fellow Asean member countries but we have potential and stories to be told whether they are surreal or strange. Our art is going to be exposed.

“Asean is like a story book and each chapter is a story like an each country. Brunei Darussalam is one chapter,” he added.

Based in Tutong, the young filmmaker shot to fame with his first short film on the horror documentary titled ‘Vanishing Children’ followed by another two films namely ‘More Vanishing Children’ and ‘Still Vanishing children’.

Abdul Zainidi ventured in filming was because he wanted to introduce and promote Brunei.

“I felt that film is one of the best platforms to promote Brunei,” he added.

The local filmmaker will head to Europe to attend the film festival in Amsterdam, Holland before going to Busan to learn more about filmmaking in a full scholarship from the Busan Film School in Korea.

The post Singapore’s TV documentary to feature local filmmaker appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.

|     Aziz Idris     |

THE spirit of volunteerism was evident as 136 individuals recently rolled their sleeves up for a community beach clean-up, collecting nearly two tonnes of rubbish from Serasa Beach in the first environmental event to kick start the new year.

British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Richard Lindsay and his wife, Xanthe, also lent a helping hand to the good cause. He expressed delight at being part of a large group of Bruneians helping to clear rubbish from the beach in Serasa.

“There were more volunteers than ever before – demonstrating the growing awareness of this problem, and the importance of protecting Brunei’s beautiful environment.

“On Sunday, we collected almost two tonnes of waste – mostly plastic. Globally, eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the sea each year. We have to work together to prevent its use in the first place, as well as to collect and dispose of the waste,” he said.

Organised by Poni Divers, the clean-up aimed to remove litter brought in by the recent storms before it returns out to sea, while at the same time raising awareness on environmental conservation and encourage volunteerism, especially among students.

The volunteers and Poni Divers officials accumulated a whopping 1.9 tonnes of litter throughout the campaign. This shows an increase in environmental consciousness among Bruneians with the strong presence of the younger generation.

The two storms last month, Kai-Tak and Vinta, brought torrential rainfall and strong winds across the Sultanate. Serasa Beach was pounded by strong winds and waves, kicking up marine debris and litter towards the shores.

“A majority of this came in the form of polystyrene, plastic bottles, plastic containers, straws and cigarette butts. The plastics take an average of at least 450 years to degrade and can form into a large floating patch of debris about 150 times the size of Brunei,” Poni Divers Managing Director Wong Thye Sing explained.

He believes the campaign will focus not only on the beach clean-up but be “more about raising awareness on the trash you see as you are picking them up, you then make the conscious effort to dispose of your trash responsibly.”

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|     Achong Tanjong     |

ASBI bin Mohd Yassin and his family have expressed their gratitude after being presented a mock key to a house yesterday at Kampong Sungai Matan, Jalan Kota Batu.

The family had been forced to move from their previous home – also in the same village – which they had been living in for years after it collapsed and became unsafe to stay.

Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Yayasan) and the Community Development Department (JAPEM) of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, with the support of the Brunei-Muara District Office, purchased the previously occupied house and donated it to Asbi and his family.

“I would like to express my thanks to JAPEM, the Brunei-Muara District Office, and Yayasan for their care and concern towards our welfare,” said Asbi.

Asbi was presented with a mock key to his new house yesterday during a presentation ceremony at the Culture Tourism Hall of Kampong Sungai Matan in Jalan Kota Batu.

The mock key was presented by the guest of honour, Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, who is also a member of Yayasan Board of Directors.

Also present were Dayangku Siti Saihalina binti Pengiran Haji Mohd Daud, Assistant Director of JAPEM; Mohd Yassin bin Haji Ahmed, a representative from the Brunei-Muara District Office; and Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman bin Pengiran Haji Zainal, Village Head of Kampong Sungai Matan.

“I am thankful to the relevant agencies for providing assistance to lessen our burden in the form of basic house necessities,” Asbi added.

Asbi is unemployed and only receives a monthly pension allowance from JAPEM. He has a wife, three children and two family members to support.

The provision of aid houses to less fortunate families is in congruence with Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’s purpose of establishment.

Such support efforts also serve to nurture a positive, collective cooperative spirit to help improve the wellbeing of individuals in need throughout the country.

The post New home, new hope for family of seven appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.

|     Daniel Lim     |

PEHIN Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Minister of Education and Chairman of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Board of Directors, visited Orang Kaya Pemancha Berandai Bukit Sawat Primary School yesterday.

Asmah binti Awang Tengah, Head of Cluster Six at the Department of Schools, welcomed the delegation upon arrival. The impromptu visit was made during the minister’s visit to the area to present donations made available by Yayasan to residents affected by the recent flood.

The minister, during a briefing delivered by the school’s staff, learnt more about the school and its students’ achievements.

Legislative Council members YB Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mumin, Penghulu of Mukim Liang and YB Hanapi bin Mohd Siput, Village Head of Kampong Labi I; and Abdol Hazis bin Haji Ahad, Acting Belait District Officer were also present.

The minister visited classrooms and observed students in their curriculum. The minister’s visit was also commemorated with the signing of the school’s attendance file.

Orang Kaya Pemancha Berandai Bukit Sawat Primary School has around 15 students from pre-school to Year 6, with 11 teachers to help the students in their curriculum.

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|     Azlan Othman     |

THE role of the Employees Trust Fund (TAP) is to make available a National Savings and Social Scheme to the people of Brunei, as well as to assist its members in optimising their retirement fund through mandatory schemes to TAP and the Supplemental Contributory Pension (SCP).

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports cum Chairman of TAP Board of Directors Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof highlighted this at the inaugural dialogue session with members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) held at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) yesterday.

The minister pointed out that TAP marks its 25th anniversary this year, and that the scheme is not limited to public servants, but also extended to the private sector. To enhance efforts so that TAP objectives (for retirement) can be achieved, TAP takes the initiatives to improve and work on its continuous dissemination of information.

The event continued with a briefing highlighting the operational development, strategy and initiatives of TAP.

The dialogue provided an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and proposals, allowing TAP to tackle issues relating to the welfare of TAP members in their retirement, and ensuring a good quality of life for people in the country, which is in line with the Brunei Vision 2035.

YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam Dato Paduka Seri Haji Hasrin bin Dato Paduka Haji Sabtu led the LegCo members.

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|     Daniel Lim     |

YAYASAN Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah conducted a charity visit to the residents living in various parts of Belait District still affected by floods yesterday.

Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Minister of Education in his capacity as the Chairman of the Yayasan Board of Directors, who visited residents affected by floods also handed them donations.

Also present among the entourage were Legislative Council members, YB Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mumin, Penghulu of Mukim Liang and YB Hanapi bin Mohd Siput, Village Head of Kampong Labi I; Dato Paduka Eddie bin Dato Paduka Haji Sunny, Managing Director of Yayasan; and Abdol Hazis bin Haji Ahad, Acting Belait District Officer.

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Royal Brunei Police Force, and the Fire and Rescue Department accompanied the visitors to ensure the safety of all members of the group.

The visit provided a platform to get a better understanding of the flood situation and how it affects the residents.

The visit represented an avenue to help the residents by presenting them with donations.

The donations included various daily needs.

The group visited 58 residents affected by floods in Bukit Sawat, Belait District. Some houses are accessible only by boat as roads leading to the houses are flooded.

Another 12 affected houses were visited with the help of Yayasan’s strategic partner, the Brunei Darussalam 4-Wheel Drive Association (4WD NBD).

The Bulletin spoke to Zaini bin Haji Mohd Ramle, one of the residents affected by floods in the Bukit Sawat area.

With five of his children staying with him, he said the flood occurred more than a month ago with the rains coming and going sporadically.

“The water level at the moment is currently about waist high,” he said.

He was grateful for the donations by Yayasan.

The Sungai Liang Fire Station, Operation Branch ‘B’, Belait District is monitoring changes in the flood level across the affected areas in Belait, including Kampong Sungai Mau with flood water rising up to 0.4m; Jalan Kandul, Kampong Bukit Sawat was affected with water reaching to around 0.6m in depth, as well as areas surrounding Merangking that saw flooding of around 0.5m in depth being recorded during the visit.

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|     Danial Norjidi     |

THE Heart of Borneo (HoB) Initiative is relevant and important to Brunei Darussalam as it plays a significant role in forest and biodiversity conservation efforts, promoting tourism development and providing socioeconomic benefits.

This was stated by Haji Muhammad Safwan bin Abdullah Bibi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Brunei Darussalam HoB Centre, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.

Haji Muhammad Safwan delivered a presentation on the HoB initiative during the first session of the International Tourism Conference and Exhibition 2018 at the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam yesterday.

“The Heart of Borneo Initiative is very relevant and important to Brunei Darussalam, as it plays a critical role in further strengthening the country’s continuous effort in the conservation of forest and biodiversity,” he said.

“It also plays an important role in supporting our current efforts in promoting tourism development in the country,” he said. “Using the Heart of Borneo as a marketing brand of strategic marketing positioning, it is hoped that it can attract more tourists, especially nature lovers to come to Brunei in particular, as well as to the Heart of Borneo area in general, to enjoy the beauty of our pristine nature and richness of our biodiversity.”

The Acting CEO of the HoB Centre added, “The Heart of Borneo, through ecotourism activities will also provide socioeconomic benefits to the local communities by providing job opportunities.”

He also underlined that potential socioeconomic benefits derived from ecotourism will encourage more local community participation and support towards the conservation effort of the HoB Initiative.

The HoB is a forest and biodiversity conservation initiative involving Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia. The declaration of the initiative was signed by the three nations on February 12, 2007. Through the declaration, all three nations voluntarily agreed to work together in ensuring the management of forestry resources and conservation of protected forest network and produce.

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|     James Kon     |

DESPITE the growing competition to attract tourists and keeping up with the changing trends in the tourism industry, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) is making all-out efforts to develop Brunei’s tourism sector, said Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism.

“MPRT is striving to increase the number of visitors to the country by promoting sustainable tourism initiatives that seek to balance tourist inflow with the Sultanate’s landscape, especially its rich rainforests,” he underscored in his address at the opening ceremony of the International Tourism Conference and Exhibition (ITCE) 2018.

Taking place at the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the event carries the theme ‘Tourism and Heritage: The Asean and Borneo Context’.

ITCE 2018 aims to provide a platform for the development of tourism in Brunei and Borneo.

The conference is organised by the Borneo Studies Network – a body comprising 12 major universities and research institutions in the Borneo region and its secretariats.

Launching the ITCE 2018, the minister said, “Sustainable tourism is identified as a significant contributor to sustainable development because it involves close linkages to other sectors and has the ability to create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities.

“Tourism growth and sustainability should be equally reinforced. Embedding sustainability into our tourism development is vital as the United Nations has highlighted the need to support sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity building that promote environmental awareness, conserve and protect the environment, respect wildlife, flora, biodiversity, ecosystems and cultural diversity and improve welfare as well as livelihoods of the local communities.”

Talking about Brunei’s Heart of Borneo Initiative, he said, “Brunei’s comparative advantage is in its location on the third largest island in the world in the centre of Southeast Asia. Borneo is unique as it signifies three comparable Asean member states (Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia) that are rich in history, heritage and natural resources.

“Borneo has the potential for healthy and active ecotourism. As part of Borneo, we share a common goal and cooperate with the other two major countries through the Heart of Borneo Initiative which aims to empower locals to manage cross-border or inter-border tourism.

“The Heart of Borneo Initiative seeks to find an equilibrium between our vibrant ecosystems, including by linking heritage with tourism development, to contribute towards the economies of the three nations of Borneo,” the minister added.

Earlier in his remarks, the minister also touched on the optimistic development of tourism in the country.

“Today, we see Brunei is beginning to yield positive results from tourism. The Tourism Development Department’s data has indicated that tourist arrivals increased by 10 per cent towards the end of 2017, compared to 0.3 per cent in 2016. The positive growth is attributed to the new product development initiatives that include the Bandar Seri Begawan and Kampong Ayer heritage trails, Tutong Destination Packages, the Belait Destination Packages, the Brunei Diving Packages, the Temburong Holiday Destination Packages and the most recent Brunei December Festival.

“By creating and promoting primary, emerging and activity-based tourism products, identified in the Tourism Development Department’s strategic plans, and constantly improving the quality of tourism products, services as well as facilities, we are moving towards a positive direction to realise the department’s aim of increasing the number of tourists visiting the country,” the minister noted.

Meanwhile, Dayangku Dr Noor Hasharina binti Pengiran Haji Hassan, Chair of ITCE Context Working Group Committees who is also the Head of Borneo Studies Network Secretariat Office in UBD, highlighted, “We are proud to be able to organise such an event under Borneo Studies Network. The conference will touch on issues of sustainable tourism and contributing to the conference are tourism stakeholders including from the government, the private sector and the tourism industry.”

Among the major themes to be addressed in the conference sessions are: Tourism in the Development Agenda, Innovative Planning/Strategies for Sustainable Tourism, Identity and Heritage Conservation, Niche Tourisms, Perspectives on Tourism Promotion as well as Lessons for Tourism Planning and Development.

Borneo Studies Network plans to compile an edited volume based on the papers presented at the conference to be published by Springer Verlag, a leading international academic publisher.

In his keynote address on ‘Asean Tourism and Heritage: Issues, Problems and Prospects’, Professor Victor T King, professor of Borneo Studies at the Institute of Asian Studies in UBD highlighted the importance of comparative studies across three politically separate territories in Borneo as well as the investigation of the relationships between convergence and divergence in tourism provision and border crossing.

He also touched on the convergence of nature across the Borneo Island and highlighted the importance of nature, natural heritage as well as the promotion of ecotourism focussing on national parks, lakes, uplands, coasts, river routes, forests reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

While speaking about convergence of culture and tourism, he cited longhouse tourism which he said is primarily seen in Sarawak and to a limited extent in Sabah, and not (that popular) in Brunei and Kalimantan.

He believes that the tourism industry will grow in scale and intensity in Borneo if Kalimantan improves its facilities.

“Sabah and Sarawak already have well-organised facilities while Brunei Darussalam’s tourism industry will grow incrementally but it should develop eco packages with Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

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|     Rahwani Zahari     |

HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday received in audience Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, who is on a two-day official visit to the country.

During the audience at the Istana Nurul Iman, His Majesty and the minister discussed bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and Thailand, as well as exchanged views on regional and international matters.

Accompanying Don Pramudwinai was Biravij Suwanpradhes, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Brunei Darussalam.

Also present was Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II.

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|     Daniel Lim     |

EVEN as the Durian season starts to wind down, more and more are seeking to consume the delicacy across the country.

In the Belait District, the Bulletin met a local supplier to ask about the Durian fever.

Haji Nawi bin Haji Mohd Daud, a local private vendor who resides at the RPN 2000 Panaga Housing Area and supplies Durians to surrounding areas, said he has been selling the fruit since January 3.

“We provide various types of Durians, from white Durians to yellow Durians, at a very affordable price,” he said. He also helps customers who do not want to spend time peeling by selling packed Durian flesh.

Haji Nawi said that the Durian season has been great, even though it is close to the end. “This season is the first time we sell Durians and we sold a lot to cover the operation costs,” he said.

Haji Nawi also explained that the Durians are mainly sourced from Malaysia, and he was able to transport them to Brunei with proper permits.

“Bringing in the Durians from Malaysia can be difficult, but we want to make it so that residents can do so easily and affordably within the country,” he explained.

Haji Nawi along with his family transported around two tonnes of Durian from Malaysia to Brunei. His family members also helped him take care of his stall and tending to customers.

Asked if the winding down of the Durian season will mean dwindling customers, he said that it is the opposite.

“Even though the (Durian) season is slowing down, we still have customers coming in, ” he said.

Social media also helps in promoting his stall. “I think many Bruneians are always going for the cheapest option available, and we offer customers the best price, but price is always fluctuating depending on the market conditions,” he said.

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|     Aziz Idris     |

THE Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) in collaboration with the Association of Malaysian Muslim Intellectual (PIMM) and Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) will host the 5th International Conference on Research in Islamic Education and Arabic Language 2018 (ICRIALE 2018) from January 24-26.

The conference carries the theme ‘Transforming Islamic Education in Embracing Industry 4.0 Era’.

This was revealed by Dean of the Faculty of Education at KUPU SB, Associate Professor Dr Haji Misnan bin Jemali, in his capacity as the joint chairman of ICRIALE 2018 during a press conference yesterday.

He told media representatives that the theme is relevant as the Industry 4.0 is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technology that includes cyber-physical systems, Internet and cloud computing and leading to the so-called ‘smart factory’.

“Therefore, in the context of the Islamic society today, we need to advance the role of Islamic education in building a massive Ummah. Islamic education has provided the basis of the values held by every Muslim.

“The new challenges in Industry 4.0 must be faced by means of a realistic and practical approach.”

He hoped the conference can provide opportunities for academicians, researchers, experts and students to share opinions and research findings related to Islamic education and Arabic language.

According to the dean, the Islamic education and Arabic language, one of the most important elements in the development of Muslim society in the Sultanate, aims to build up self-esteem and sense of society.

“It also aims to promote equality and tolerance in the Muslim society. Muslims must realise the significance of Islamic education and Arabic language as a catalyst for empowering and pushing our civilisation to a greater height,” he added.

The conference is expected to attract over 200 participants with 100 working papers.

Target groups are masters, experts, academics, researchers, government officials and post-graduate students.

Participants will also be presented with keynote addresses on ‘The Tradition and the Future of Islamic and Arabic Education: Facing Modernisation and Modernisation Flows’ by the Acting Ra’es of KUPU SB, Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar and ‘Encouraging Multiple Knowledge Integration Discipline with Philosophy and Islamic Values’ by the Rector of UNISSA, Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal.

The admission fees are B$100 for institutions and B$20 for students. Meanwhile, presenter fees are B$150 for institutions and B$50 for students.

ICRIALE 2018 will be held at the Tarbiyyah Hall, KUPU SB.

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