|     Achong Tanjong     |

THE Managing Director of Aifa Sdn Bhd, Dr Andy Lau, who is also the owner of Hotel Aifa 2 Sdn Bhd in Labuan, recently signed a contract with the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Development) of Labuan Corporation (LC) Mohd Zamri bin Mohd Esa.

The agreement is for the construction of four units of office buildings for the Labuan Corporation (LC) at a cost of RM10.416 million by Hotel Aifa 2 Sdn Bhd.

The signing ceremony between LC and the hotel was witnessed by the Federal Territories Minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan bin Tengku Mansor. The ceremony took place at a luncheon held at Jade Garden, Hotel Aifa.

The five-storey office building will be developed on five lots of land (1,488.429 square metres) owned by LC.

The proposal for the joint-venture project was approved by the Malaysian cabinet on July 13 this year.

Exchange of contract documents between Dr Andy Lau (left), the Managing Director of Aifa Sdn Bhd and Mohd Zamri bin Mohd Esa (right), the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Development) of Labuan Corpo-ration (LC) while being witnessed by Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan bin Tengku Mansor, the Federal Territories Minister (middle). – JEFFERY WONG

In return based on the agreement, Hotel Aifa 2 Sdn Bhd will develop a 14-storey hotel at the cost of RM62 million on a land (1,023 square metres) owned by LC where the project is expected to be completed within 36 months.

The 140-room hotel will be equipped with other facilities such as swimming pool and gymnasium.

The construction of the hotel will provide more rooms for the visitors coming to Labuan and contributing to the island’s economic development.

Also present during the ceremony were the Secretary General of Federal Territories Ministry, Datuk Seri Adnan bin Md Ikhsan, Labuan Member of Parliament, Datuk Rozman bin Datuk Haji Isli, Senator Datuk Haji Yunus bin Haji Kurus, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Town Service) of LC, Rithuan Mohd Ismail and the former chief executive officer of LC, Datuk Mohd Nadzri Osman as well as Director of Aifa Sdn Bhd, Lily Ngu and Aifa staff from Brunei.

Dr Andy Lau yesterday told the Bulletin that the project is the first government project in Labuan signed with a private sector.

When asked what his view of Labuan’s potential is in terms of investment, he said Labuan is an oil and gas-based and free port.

Currently, Aifa Sdn Bhd owns five hotels in the island and plans to construct another hotel soon.

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|     Azaraimy HH     |

THE Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) yesterday confirmed the ranks of nine Assistant Superintendent Of Police (ASP) in a ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of Gadong Police Headquarters.

Present as guest of honour and to hand over the confirmation letters was the Commissioner of Police, Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Jammy bin Haji Muhd Shah Al-Islam. Also present were Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali, Acting Deputy Police Commissioner as well as other officers of the RBPF and family members of the newly-confirmed officers.

The ceremony began with a recital of Surah Al-Fatihah by Imam of the surau at the police headquarters.

The ceremony then continued with the handing over of confirmation letter to the ASPs, who were confirmed as on the July 1, 2016.

The officers are Ag ASP Lim Hock Siong, P/ASP Pengiran Haji Md Syahmi Azra bin Pengiran Haji Rajid, P/ASP Muhammad Nurfairuz Nazri bin Salleh, P/ASP Muhammad Aimi Safwan bin Zalidin, P/ASP Mohd Rudy Mas-Sharhain @ Muhammad Naqb Rayyan bin Haji Sarbini, P/ASP Dayangku Nor Azriani binti Pengiran Anuar, P/ASP Rumaizah binti Ahmad / Md Ariffin, P/ASP Pengiran Azlan Shah bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad, and P/ASP Mohammad Zulhelmi Azmi bin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Aziz.

Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Jammy presenting an officer with his new rank. – PHOTOS: AZARAIMY HH

Commissioner of Police, Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Jammy bin Haji Muhd Shah Al-Islam, in a group photo with senior officers and the newly promoted Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP)

In an interview, ASP Dayangku Nor Azriani, who currently heads the Tutong District Traffic Police, shared with the Bulletin the duties and responsibilities of police rank officers.

She said an assistant police superintendant has challenging responsibilities. She said the conformation gives her great encouragement to carry out her tasks, adding that she has been experiencing many challenges as a traffic police officer.

A graduate in teaching from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, she hopes to enhance her career and progress to other areas such as crime prevention.

Just recently, prior to her confirmation, she underwent a nine-month professional training course in Singapore, which she said developed a police mentality in her mind.

She was trained in the law and order aspect and taught how to implement her police or legal powers as well as about the limits of them.

Other than academic aspects, she also underwent intense physical training, which according to her was mandatory for every officer to pass.

Other than that, she also did combat and martial arts training including the use of tasers. She had to be shot with tasers so that she knows how the tasers will feel like, Dayangku Nor Azriani added.

“We police do not carry weapons while on routine duty, and we are trained to defend ourselves with the use of self-defence techniques including by using the police baton. Sometimes we don’t even carry the baton, but we are trained to defend ourselves without that and where to hit and how to pull them (attackers) down,” she said.

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|     Azlan Othman     |

RAJA Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital yesterday distributed nursing covers to several hospitals in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week 2016.

The presentation ceremony was attended by RIPAS Hospital Chief Executive Officer Haji Muhammad Jamal bin Haji Tersad, medical superintendents and senior officials from the RIPAS Hospital.

Chief Executive Officer of RIPAS also handed over nursing covers to representatives of the Belait, Tutong and Temburong hospitals and also to mothers who are being treated at the Women and Children Centre.

This activity is one of the initiatives prove the Ministry of Health is committed to upholding and supporting the welfare and health affairs of infants and children through breastfeeding.

Haji Muhammad Jamal bin Haji Tersad presenting nursing covers to a Matron Wee Oi Jock, a Nursing Officer as a representative from Suri Seri Begawan Hospital

Dr Hajah Rohayati binti Haji Mohd Taib, Paediatric Consultant at RIPAS Hospital, handing over a nurs-ing cover to a mother

Prof Madya Dr Hajah Roselina binti Dato Paduka Haji Yaakub, Obstetric and Gynaecology Consultant, presenting a nursing cover to a mother. – PHOTOS: RIPAS HOSPITAL

The distribution of nursing covers hopes to encourage the practice of breastfeeding because it provides comfort and privacy to the mother at any required time.

A nursing cover facilitates feeding infants at any time required either in a closed room or in public area.

RIPAS Hospital also organised various activities throughout the Breastfeeding Week by holding seminars to promote breastfeeding among mothers at the Women and Children Centre, presented by nursing officers and experienced nurses.

Since 1992, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year on August 1-7.

In Brunei, the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week has been successfully organised since 1999 with the Ministry of Health as the main coordinator.

This year it carries the theme ‘Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development’.

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|     Syazwani Hj Rosli     |

INTRACORP Megastore in Gadong has introduced its very first concept corner, geared towards providing awareness to customers of the latest technologies and features from Samsung.

The new Samsung Concept Corner was officially launched yesterday, in a ceremony attended by Cho Won-myung, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam; Kyung Wook Suh, the Managing Director of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Korea; and Lai Kok Siang, the General Manager of Intracorp.

Also present at the launch was Lim Hong Huai, the Singapore High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, along with representatives from TT International Pte Ltd Singapore, Samsung Korea and Samsung Singapore.

In his welcoming remarks, Kyung Wook Suh said that Samsung is constantly exploring ways for consumers to fully experience its products, including presenting the latest innovations through its partnership with Intracorp.

“With the grand opening of the Intracorp Megastore and two new stores in Kiulap and Gadong to add to Intracorp’s network of retail outlets, it is now even more convenient for consumers to check out Samsung’s latest products”, he said.

Cho Won-myung, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam (C) and Samsung rep-resentatives during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. – BAHYIAH BAKIR

Steven Koh, the Managing Director of Consumer Electronics Business of Samsung Electronics, told the Bulletin that Brunei is one of the markets that they want to expand for the new premium models.

He revealed that Samsung has recently released its most advanced display technology – the SUHD (Super Ultra High-Definition) TV – that uses proprietary nano-crystal technology equipped with Quantum dot display that brings real-world image quality, television and entertainment experience.

“The concept aims towards educating the customers on the difference and various features of the individual technology. Some are not aware of the latest technology such as the Full HD (high-definition) or the UHD (ultra-high definition), and from the availability of such concept corner, customers can see for themselves of the difference in the images, quality and colour,” he said.

“We hope to introduce the latest technology and premium products to the Brunei market at affordable prices.”

Following the launch, the South Korean ambassador and other invited guests were ushered to view the Samsung Concept Corner, featuring products such as refrigerators and the active dual wash washing machine.

The Samsung Concept Corner is available at Intracorp Megastore Gadong and its branches in Kiulap and at the Gadong Central.

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|     Abdul Hakiim Yakof     |

“ALL initiatives towards the protection of the environment and biodiversity are important to us, and hopefully we will look into becoming part of that too. We need to protect our biodiversity, as a country that came out of a war which destroyed our environment. This initiative serves as a lesson, and we want to learn from it.”

These words were said by Constancio Pinto, the Minister for Commerce, Industry and Environment of Timor-Leste, who is currently in Brunei Darussalam to attend the second Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016, starting from today until August 5.

He told the Bulletin that he was pleased to be at the summit, at the invitation of the Brunei Government.

”I find it very important as a platform to exchange views on environmental issues,” he said. “It’s one of the important areas to all of us and to the region. I am also taking this opportunity to visit some places here, getting to know more about Brunei and see what can be done together with Brunei.”

On Brunei’s role as the host, he said, “I think that the summit is very important, since the environment is an international, as well as a global and regional issue, and Brunei is showing to the rest of the world its concern about the depleting ozone layer.

Constancio Pinto, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Environment, Timor-Leste. – DEAN KASSIM

“The rainforests are vital for all kinds of life. If there are no trees and water, nothing will survive, including human beings, so it’s very important to protect and preserve the rainforests. Sometimes, we have to decide whether to build a highway, preserve an area of the rainforest, or to protect the biodiversity of a particular area.

“Sometimes you have to make the right decision. We’ve been doing this in Timor-Leste, where development has to move forward. If we don’t build roads, then the economy won’t progress. It means that we have to find ways of continuing with development, while protecting the environment at the same time.”

During the interview, Constancio Pinto raised the possibility of mutual cooperation between Brunei and Timor-Leste.

With Brunei being a small country like Timor-Leste, there are a lot of things we can share in the areas of environment, industry and capacity-building,” he said. “As you know, we have invested in human capital and development, in addition to sending our people for training in other countries. We are thinking of sending our people to train here, and since we speak Bahasa Indonesia, there shouldn’t be any communication problems.”

He also said that his country is looking at mutual cooperation in terms of oil exploration and processing. “There is plenty of oil and gas in Timor-Leste, both onshore and offshore. In terms of quantity, we still have to do more surveying. There is a big reservoir of oil and gas, with the biggest being the Greater Sunrise reservoir which is still under negotiation with Australia.

“Right now, our biggest investment is on infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water sanitation, apart from education and health. We will be building a new seaport in Dili, which is two kilometres away from the airport. A French company won the bid, so the construction will start next year. It will be a transit point for ships sailing to the Pacific, and big enough to hold big ships bound for Australia or New Zealand.

“We are hoping that by 2018 or 2020, all the roads in our country will be fixed and widened, as it is crucial for tourism. Timor-Leste has a big potential for tourism, but we just need to have the infrastructure ready so we can attract investments from foreign companies.”

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|     James Kon     |

TEAM Putera Kuala Lawas from Malaysia will defend its title in the 30-rower traditional boat marathon race at this year’s Brunei Regatta at the Brunei River on August 14, 2016.

The confirmation of the participation of last year’s champion came at the handover of the Brunei Regatta Challenge Trophy sponsored by 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.

A representative of Team Putera Kuala Lawas, Haji Abdul Kadir bin Haji Bayan said, “We are coming back to defend our title and hope to win the event for the third time.”

He added that, “We have been in training for two weeks now. We have another two weeks of training before the day of the championship.”

He said the Brunei Regatta is a prestigious event that has attracted visitors from neighbouring countries to watch the competition. “I hope that more visitors from Miri, Limbang and Lawas as well as Sabah come to support the Brunei Regatta to further liven the atmosphere.”

Haji Abdul Kadir bin Haji Bayan representing the defending champion Team Putera Kuala Lawas hand-ing over the challenge trophy to Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs. – JAMES KON

The ceremony yesterday saw Haji Abdul Kadir represent Team Putera Kuala Lawas in handing over the challenge trophy to Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs.

Present to witness the handover was Haji Mohd ‘Abdoh bin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Salam, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs who is also the co-chairperson of the Executive Committee for the Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2016.

Also in attendance were Haji Idris bin Haji Ali, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with members of Team Putera Kuala Lawas.

The Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2016 is organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in conjunction with His Majesty’s 70th birthday celebrations. A full rehearsal will be held on August 10.

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|     Azlan Othman     |

MINISTERS from across the region are joining conservationists, researchers and business leaders at the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016, to discuss climate change and sustainable forest management, in an era of new climate challenges.

The summit will be launched today at the International Convention Centre (ICC), by Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism.

The three-day forum will feature more than 70 speakers, including Mark Burrows, the Vice-Chairman of Global Investment Banking at Credit Suisse and Dr Peter Holmgren, the Director General of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

They will be joined by ministers from Cambodia, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Vanuatu, Timor-Leste and Fiji, along with high-level officials from other countries in the region.

The Asia-Pacific region is undergoing rapid development, which is putting pressure on its important rainforests. This has led to debate over responsible and sustainable forest management, as more land makes way for feeding and housing the region’s soaring population.

Among the topics up for discussion at the summit are current initiatives undertaken by government and industry leaders, in support of the Paris Agreement of 2015-2016, to address climate change.

Financing for rainforest conservation and REDD (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation), along with opportunities for public-private-people partnerships (P4) will also be discussed.

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|     Fadhil Yunus     |

THE Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship qualifiers have not begun but already Brunei Darussalam’s potential op-ponents have made known shall they progress in October.

Brunei Darussalam, among the lower ranked teams in Southeast Asian football, must overcome hosts Cambodia, Laos and Ti-mor Leste in a mini three-game tournament first tentatively from October 15 onwards to be considered in the tournament proper.

The AFF qualification winners in Cambodia will be automatically drawn in Group ‘B’ alongside co-hosts Myanmar, Malaysia and Vietnam after the AFF Suzuki Cup draw in Yangon.

The Wasps are expected to face serious challenge with regional rivals Laos having been a mainstay in the tournament since its inception in 1996.

The Laos men’s national team have not been able to progress pass the group stages but look firm favourites of taking the sole spot to join Asean’s elite.

Meanwhile, Cambodia have not qualified since 2008 when they completed their Jakarta-based group stage at the bottom of Group ‘A’.

Like Brunei, Timor Leste have only taken part in the AFF finals once back in 2004 which they failed to get out of the group stages.

Brunei Darussalam’s Hendra Azam (left) vies for the ball with a Timor Leste player during an AFF qualify-ing tie in Vientiane, Laos in 2014. – AFF

Brunei did not take part in the 2010 AFF qualifiers after serving a FIFA ban but have since been involved in the last two qualifiers.

The Wasps came close in qualifying in the 2012 tournament following a 3-2 win over Cambodia in Myanmar but a 3-1 loss to Laos left them relying on other results.

The Laotians snatched the point they required against already-qualified Myanmar to progress to the finals while Brunei’s last-day victory over Timor Leste were rendered irrelevant.

Meanwhile, Singapore under the stewardship of new coach V Sundramoorthy who took over from Bernd Stange have been drawn in a group of death alongside three-time winners Thailand, dark horses Philippines and Indonesia whose FIFA suspension were recently lifted.

2010 winners Malaysia have been handed a much favourable draw but Ong Kim Swee’s charges would have to cope without the quartet of inspirational midfielder Safiq Rahim, Aidil Zafuan, S Kunalan and Amirul Hadi Zainal after announcing their retire-ments from international football.

Thailand won the last edition following a 4-3 aggregate win over Malaysia in the 2014 final.

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|     Fadhil Yunus     |

BRUNEI Darussalam national netball coach Thilaka Jinadasa has hailed her charges after producing their finest performance against continental powerhouses Malaysia despite slipping to a 63-17 loss at the Asian Netball Championships (ANC) in Bang-kok, Thailand.

The Royal Bees were soundly beaten 79-15 in the last edition of the ANC in Singapore in 2014 before succumbing to a set of losses (82-24 and 79-23) in the SEA Games also in the city-state.

The national team has set a specific aim of minimising the score gap against a far experienced team who is one of the main con-tenders for the title.

“As I mentioned before I came to ANC especially with Malaysia and Sri Lanka games, my objective is to reduce the score gap compared with previous encounters and we are working towards it,” Jinadasa told the media.

The ladies’ national team are up against favourites Sri Lanka today and Jinadasa added that the girls are determined to work hard and be strict with their plan.

With Sri Lanka and Malaysia expected to occupy the top two spots in Group ‘B’, the Royal Bees are increasingly primed to finish third of the group.

The Brunei and Malaysia netball teams pose for a group photo with members of management and coach-ing staff. – BNA

Jinadasa added that at this moment in time a meeting with Chinese Taipei is likely when the teams from both groups cross over though it will only be decided until the completion of games.

The national coach has also called her shooters to be more clinical in their remaining fixtures.

“Our shooters really have to step up with their shooting and should keep the momentum as it is,” Jinadasa concluded.

Brunei opened their Asian Netball Championships campaign with a 51-20 win over Japan. They supposed to play Afghanistan last Sunday who pulled out from the competition.

The national team will play Chinese Taipei as it stands with the third-placed side in Group ‘B’ squaring up against the fourth best team in Group ‘A’ on Saturday.

The winner of that match will battle for fifth spot overall on Sunday while the losing team can only finish seventh at best.

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|     Fadhil Yunus     |

HIS Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik yesterday attended the National Level Pencak Silat Tournament finals in conjunction with the 70th birthday celebrations of 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 at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex last night.

During the closing ceremony, His Royal Highness also presented the prestigious Challenge Shield kurnia (gift) by His Majesty to two main winners.

Awangku Abdul Mu’izz bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Karim of the Brunei-Muara District bagged gold in the Cekak Asli Male catego-ry after beating Omar Abdul Aziz bin Haji Ismail while Md Amrull bin Haji Ariffin of Temburong District defeated Muhd Arrsyafaiq bin Hassan in the Kuntau Adult Male category to clinch gold.

Awangku Abdul Mu’izz has won the event twice while Md Amrull bagged his second successive Kuntau title.

His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik in a group photo with the winners. – MOHAMMAD ASYRAMISYANIE

Md Amrull noted that there was a selection process in the district level illustrating the high turnout of participants during the earlier stages.

The Temburong-based exponent said that the best athlete has been chosen to represent the team for the competition posed some difficulty during the bout.

“They will find the best athlete to play in the national competition,” said Md Amrull in an interview with the media.

He added that he trained mainly on his own perfecting his techniques in preparation for the national event.

Meanwhile, Awangku Abdul Mu’izz insisted that the challenge coming from the various competitors is equally hard in the event.

Winning the tournament for a third time would mean that the competitor would have to relinquish the category and compete in a new one.

Meanwhile, Muhd Amirul ‘Azmi bin Haji Ali Amzah of the Tutong District bagged gold in the Class ‘A’ tanding putra final after defeating Md Zairul Abidin bin Abu Zaini from Belait District.

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BANK Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) recently particip-ated in a seminar on China-Asean Financial Cooperation in Beijing, China. The seminar’s theme, ‘The Belt and Road Initiative and Regional Financial Cooperation’, is part of the training and experience sharing scheme under the China-Asean Interbank Association (CAIBA) framework. Representing BIBD was its Deputy Head of Government Relations and Special Projects, Haji Mohd Yusri bin Haji Wahsalfelah and Klaus Tay Chee Wah, Head of BIBD’s Singapore representative office.

The seminar was utilised by BIBD in their efforts to further develop and promote Brunei Darussalam as a regional investment destination to senior officials from CAIBA members as well as financial regulators from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

BIBD also presented ideas of regional finance cooperation showcasing financial cooperation opportunities in Brunei Darussalam which included potential projects relating to infrastructure development.

The seminar also served as a platform for member countries to exchange ideas and share experience on financial issues and development covering international and regional financial cooperation, the relevance of Islamic finance in supporting financial cooperation, transportation and infrastructure construction, SME development and financing, cross-currency trade and financial, and risk management.

BIBD representatives in a group photo with CAIBA members

BIBD is part of the 11-member association consisting of leading financial institutions from all the Asean member countries and China. Previously during BIBD’s Chairmanship, a seminar on China-Asean Capacity Building & Financial Cooperation was also organised among the members.

CAIBA has mobilised the facilitation of business activity between member countries worth over US$1 billion. These have not only enhanced collaboration between the CAIBA members, but have also provided financial support for key projects of the member countries, further supporting social cooperation and development.

In between the board meetings and seminars, BIBD has also made strides to create better understanding of Islamic finance amongst the CAIBA members, recognising its exponential growth and potential.

The post BIBD promotes Brunei in Beijing appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.

|     Izah Azahari     |

WITH the Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2016 drawing closer, several teams are holding training sessions at the Dermaga Diraja in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Yesterday’s training and rehearsal saw Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs, training together with the Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2016 committee members who will be participating as well as overseeing the event.

Also present was Haji Idris bin Haji Ali, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2016 will be held on August 14, 2016 at the Dermaga Diraja.

Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs (L) with officials for the Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2016

ABOVE & BELOW: During the training session yesterday. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR

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|     James Kon     |

SEEKING to develop Brunei’s eco-tourism industry, with Temburong District as the main destination, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) has come up with new promotional packages which will be available from December.

The latest initiatives for the country’s eco-tourism industry were highlighted by Haji Md Zamree bin Haji Junaidi, the Director of Tourism Development under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, during a session titled, ‘Into the Forest: Opportunities for Eco-Tourism’, at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit held yesterday at the International Convention Centre (ICC).

Haji Md Zamree also gave the assurance that the move would not compromise the pristine condition of Brunei’s rainforests.

During the question-and-answer session, he said, “According to statistics, around 10,000 individuals visit Temburong in a year. This is quite a big number for Brunei. We hope to increase the numbers, and at the same time we also want to conserve our forests. Brunei’s eco-tourism is being assisted by local industries that are eager to expand their business, and at the same time conserving the forests as a way of life.”

In terms of policy, he said, “We are delighted to have the ministry promoting Temburong as our eco-tourism destination, and coming up with new visitors’ packages in December. The new packages are designed to attract Bruneians, as well as foreign visitors.”

Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Tourism) at the MPRT attending the ‘Into the Forest: Opportunities for Eco-Tourism’ session at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit held yesterday. – JAMES KON

In response to a question on marketing methods, Haji Md Zamree replied, “Since our eco-tourism industry is still at an early stage, we are currently promoting it at home, and we hope to promote it on the international market. We are currently holding discussions in Temburong with local tour operators, as well as other stakeholders. With increased marketing efforts, we hope to generate more interest.”

On the issue of sustainability, he said, “This is a big issue, and it also poses difficulties for eco-tourism. We need to achieve a balance, where we can look at our capabilities and conservation efforts.”

When asked what tourists thought of Brunei, he replied, “We had a survey done by our department and another by the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS). From the initial findings, we saw that the local tourist industry revolves around hotels, food and drink, as well as transportation, which are big issues that we constantly need to take on and improve.”

Diana Cheong, a chief researcher at CSPS, said that a survey done last year showed that the general view of tourists towards Brunei was favourable, except for public conveniences such as toilets and transportation. In addition, they asked for more leisure and recreational activities to be staged in Brunei, apart from sightseeing.

The session also featured talks by Leslie Chiang, the founder of Sumbiling Eco Village and Dayangku Kemariah binti Pengiran Haji Duraman, the owner of Kunyit 7 Lodge, about their respective businesses and roles in promoting eco-tourism in Brunei.

There was also a talk by Marizal Saraan, the Senior Programme Manager of the Foundation for Sumatran Orangutan Conservation, on the need for a balance between conservation and eco-tourism.

Present during the talks were Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Tourism) at the MPRT, and several other officials.

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|     Danial Norjidi     |

A BOOKLET on bird watching in Brunei Darussalam was officially launched yesterday during the first day of the 2nd Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016 at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

The booklet is called ‘Bird Watching in Brunei Darussalam 2016: A guide to the birds of Brunei Darussalam’, and was launched by Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism.

The bird watching booklet is part of the continuous efforts of the Nature Unit at the Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) in collaboration with local industry stakeholders, namely the Brunei Birders Group, Sakam enterprise, Ulu-Ulu Resort and BIG Magazine with the support from the Wildlife Division, Forestry Department, Heart of Borneo Centre, MPRT and the Government Printing Department, Prime Minister’s Office.

As described in a MPRT press release, the bird watching booklet is a second edition, with an additional 191 bird species seen in Brunei Darussalam and catalogued by the Brunei Wildlife Photography Club and the Brunei Birders Group, spearheaded by Mohd Vol bin Haji Momin and verified by Dr Quentin Phillipps, a renowned author on bird watching in Borneo.

The first printing of the 92-page booklet will be made available for interested birders taking up the birding packages whilst a few thousand copies will be distributed to bird-watching societies and clubs within the region as part of the promotional strategy of the Tourism Development Department in creating awareness on Brunei Darussalam as a new birding destination in Southeast Asia.

Mohd Vol bin Haji Momin in a group photo with Brunei Birders Group members and senior officials from the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR

In his keynote address during the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016’s first session yesterday, the minister spoke on the book, saying, “The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism is proud to launch the ‘Bird Watching in Brunei Darussalam 2016: a guide to the birds of Brunei Darussalam’ booklet, in its efforts to enhance Brunei Darussalam’s pristine nature tourism products focusing on bird watching, which has seen a gradual progression within the last three years within the country.

“The booklet is intended not only to serve as a general guide for ‘birders’ on bird species endemic to Brunei Darussalam, but also as a reference list to academics and the public alike whilst creating awareness on the importance of wild life conservation.”

The booklet’s launch was accompanied by the launch of bird watching tour packages by Sakam Enterprise, a local licensed tour operator focused on nature tourism.

The bird watching packages vary from half-day trips to two-day one-night trips into the Ulu Temburong National Park.

Also present to witness the launch ceremony were ministers, VIPs and delegates attending the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016.

There was also a mini bird photography exhibition displayed by the Brunei Wildlife Photographic Society.

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|     Danial Norjidi     |

OUR rainforests can play a pivotal role in providing a wide array of renewable forest goods and services, and with the right partnerships and technology, it can help realise economic diversification.

This was said by Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit (APRS) 2016 yesterday.

“The rainforest ecosystem has served as the building blocks of the Asia-Pacific region,” he said. “History can tell that forestry has been the earliest industry that supported the development of nations through utilisation of timber products for infrastructure and related industries. And until now, our rainforests provide the unparalleled support in mitigating climate change, food security and other economic potentials.”

He noted that initiatives in restoring rainforests have started, citing the 2015 Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA), which reported that the forests of Asia-Pacific region have increased by five million hectares since 2010 and 20 million hectares since 2000. With a total forest area of 723 million hectares, the Asia-Pacific forests represent 18 per cent of the global forests, he said.

“According to the FRA report, these positive developments can be attributed to the increase in protected areas, forest plantations and improving quality of forest management in the region.”

He added, however, that despite the increase in the region’s forest, FRA 2015 still noted that deforestation and forest degradation remain an important challenge in many countries. He shared that identified drivers of deforestation and forest deforestation include agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, forest product extraction and forest fires.

The minister went on to note that the summit aims to identify practical actions to reduce forest loss while, at the same time, balancing the development aspirations of the Asia-Pacific nations.

“There is a need for us to refocus our economic activities that would complement our initiatives in rainforest conservation,” he highlighted. “As such, new opportunities shall be identified for private and public sector investments and partnerships.

“We are in the 21st Century, where technological developments are at our finger tips. We should promote efficient utilisation of forest resources through appropriate technologies and at the same time encourage the production of forest value-added products.

Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, delivering his keynote speech

Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, launching the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016

Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali during a tour of the exhibition. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR

“Our rainforests are rich and have the capabilities to provide a wide array of forest goods and services that would cater to economic diversification,” he added. “With the right partnership, technology and renewable forest resources, we can never go wrong.”

He noted that the APRS 2016 will focus discussions on sustainable financing, opportunities and partnerships, sustainable landscape management, policy frameworks and green economies.

He described these themes as “interesting and very timely”, as they are aligned with the current thrust of the Brunei Government for the forestry sector.

“At the national level, we are continuously optimising the benefits of our rainforests which occupy more than half of the country’s land area,” he said. “Our economic diversification initiatives include the forestry sector with focus on forest industry, non-timber forest products, biological prospecting, carbon trading and efficiency in forest product processing and utilisation.”

“At present, we are reviewing our national forestry strategies to promote our own forest-based downstream industries,” he shared. “We intend to improve the forestry industry environment to encourage further private investments on technologies and new machineries to increase our efficiency and manufacture of value-added forest products.”

He said that aside from environmental attributes, Brunei’s forests also have great economic potential.

“The high biodiversity index of Brunei forests is an indication of the variety of non-timber forest products that are yet to be discovered. The exploration and research of these new and indigenous forest products are jointly conducted by the government and the academic sectors. Forests are renewable resources and with the proper conservative technologies, it can provide endless goods and services to our society.”

The forest economic diversification initiative is also in line with strategies provided for by Brunei’s Vision 2035, he noted, sharing that, specifically, the plan highlights the continuing efforts to conserve the country’s remarkable biodiversity, rainforests and natural habitats as part of our environmental strategy. It also stresses the development of forest resources, conservation and protection, and ecotourism as the main focus of the forestry sector.

“Almost half of Brunei’s total land area is part of the National Forest Estate, and as part of our commitment to further the integrity of our environment, we intend to increase our forest estate to 55 per cent of Brunei’s land area,” he said. “With this reality and assumed responsibilities, our forestry sector will be welcoming partners from the government and private sectors in the sustainable management of our forest and forest resources.”

He said that, as such, the entrepreneurial and creative minds of the private sectors in developing forest-based industry.

“We will be pleased to cooperate in the conducting of research and expeditions to understand further our diverse forest and learn new products that are significant to our modern societies,” said the minister. “We also believe in the capabilities of our rainforests to sequester carbon as we open our windows to further study our forests in reducing greenhouse gases.”

He highlighted that, with all these development strategies in the forestry sector, the government remains vigilant against the identified drivers of deforestation, and has as such controlled agricultural expansion and regulated forest conversion for agricultural purposes, with the cutting of forests for agriculture development stopped.

“Instead, we are focusing our agricultural initiatives on efficiency of production, thereby increasing the projected yield per hectare. We encourage investments on agricultural technology development and high technology farm practices including vertical farming.

“Likewise, our existing regulations on forest product extraction must observe sustainability and promotes natural regeneration of forest resources. We have strengthened our forest law enforcement activities through the establishment of multi-agency participation from the police force, military, district authorities and Forestry Department.”

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|     Azrol Azmi     |

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 afternoon received in audience seven heads of delegation.

Also present at the audience held at Istana Nurul Iman was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

His Majesty received Josh Frydenberg, Minister for the Environment and Energy, Australia; Osea Naiqamu, Minister of Fisheries and Forests, Fiji Islands; Dato Seri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia; Ohn Win, Minister of Environment Conservation and Forestry, Myanmar; Contancio da Conceicao Pinto, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment, Timor Leste; Matai Seremiah, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity and Ham Lini Vanuaroroa, Minister of Climate Change, Vanuatu.

The heads of delegation are in Brunei Darussalam to attend the 2nd Asia Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016 held from August 3 to 4, 2016.

Also present was Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism.

Photo shows His Majesty and His Royal Highness with the heads of delegations. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI

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; and His Roy-al Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; in a group photo with Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Minister of Primary Re-sources and Tourism, and the seven heads of delegations for the 2nd Asia Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016

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|     Azlan Othman     |

FIVE veteran athletes from Brunei Darussalam left for Salatiga, Java, in Indonesia yesterday to take part in the track and field event at the Salatiga Masters Athletics Championships on August 5-7.

The group was led by Awang Haji Abu Bakar Bin Haji Pungut, Secretary II of the Veteran Athletes Association.

Present to bid them farewell at the airport yesterday was Deputy President of the Association, Haji Adanan Bin Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar.

They will take part in discuss throw, shot put, 100 metre run, 1500 metre, 3000 metre run and long jump.

Out of the five athletes, two departed earlier via Miri.

The athletes pose for a photo before their departure at Brunei International Airport. – AZLAN OTHMAN

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|     Fadhil Yunus     |

DPMM FC will need to find a way to get past Albirex Niigata (S) shot-stopper Yosuke Nozawa who has been in sublime form when the two sides meet in the S League at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium tonight.

DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean has labelled Nozawa, who made two wonderful saves to deny Adi Said, as the best goalkeeper in the league after his exploits during the final.

He added that the opposition goalkeeper was the main reason in the 2-0 final defeat less than a week ago.

“I would say that to win this match we need, in my opinion, to beat the best goalkeeper in the league,” said Kean in an interview with the media after a training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium yesterday.

“I think he’s exceptional and I think he was the main reason why they beat us last game”.

“If you put virtually any other goalkeeper in the goal, I think Adi’s goal was in. He’s an exceptional goalkeeper and he’s a big reason why they’ve done well this year”, he further added.

The head coach noted that his charges have performed well in the final with the individual brilliance of the goalkeeper the main difference.

“I thought we’ve played well and we’ve probably had the best chances in the game. The difference is the goalkeeper made good saves. It’s only the details and obviously the finishing and their finishing was very ruthless.”

A player dribbling during practice yesterday. – FADHIL YUNUS

“We never managed to finish the chances that we did have which was more than them,” he continued.

Kean heaped praise on Albirex who are physically good, possess good players all over the pitch and does not need too many invitations in front of goal evident by their ruthlessness against Tampines Rovers FC recently.

DPMM FC’s midfielder Hendra Azam will start in place of the suspended Paulo Sergio while Maududi Hilmi Kasmi will leave central midfield and push wide on the right.

Kean has been pleased with Maududi’s displays adding that he deserved to stay in the starting line-up.

The league leaders’ boast quality all over the pitch with the likes of Atsushi Kawata and Tatsuro Inui causing a multitude of problems for the reigning holders in the final.

The Gegar Gegar men would need to prevent Kawata from getting time on the ball while Azwan Salleh has been tasked with keeping Inui quiet.

“I think what we need to do is be more aggressive and don’t let him have two or three touches.

“I think as soon as he gets his first touch we need to be right on top of him because if you don’t he’s got the ability to manipulate the ball and when he turns, he starts running at you,” he said.

“He’s too strong and technically he’s too good so you actually need to engage him on his second touch and at times we were a little bit too loose in the marking with him and give too much space”.

“Especially the back three has to be much aggressive with him”, the head coach explained.

Azwan Salleh has been given the responsibility to nullify the threat of Inui who creates spark in Albirex’s attacking ambitions.

“Param (Azwan Salleh) is going to play very tight on him. Basically if he picks his head up he can play any pass there is. He can play a pass with back spin, he can switch it and he can drop it behind the defence”.

“So Param is going to have that job of being really tight on him and making sure he does not really get into that rhythm where he is the dictator of their play”, he added.

“Once they had the spell early in the second half when they’ve got on the ball then he’s the one that dictates the rhythm of the team”.

The club have been working on crossing further up the pitch in the last 10 metres of the pitch and feed striker Rafael Ramazotti after seeing his side managing to provide the crosses 4 or 5 metres over the halfway line.

“On the attacking side, the crosses that we put in would be more from a final third position that give Rafa something. If we get the ball between their centre-backs and full backs, Dudi (Maududi) got the ability to get on it and cut across people”, he concluded.

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BAIDURI Bank has been recognised by World Finance as The Best Banking Group for Brunei 2016. This marks the eighth consecutive year Baiduri has received this award, the first being in 2009. The award was presented to Pierre Imhof, CEO of Baiduri Bank at the London Stock Exchange Studios, London.

Speaking on this latest recognition, Pierre Imhof said, “We are honoured and proud to win the Best Banking Group 2016 for the eighth consecutive year. This certainly marks another major milestone for Baiduri Bank in our twenty-two years of serving the Bruneian people.”

Following the award presentation, Mr Imhof was interviewed by Paul Richardson, a World News Media producer on the progresses made by the Group over the last year.

Touching on investment services in the country, Mr Imhof spoke of the shifting customer trend towards a diversified investment portfolio, “We recently launched Baiduri Capital which offers a range of global investment products and services. Through our online trading platform, we can already trade online in various international stock exchanges such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the US.”

He further elaborated that in light of the country’s current economic situation, there is a need for Brunei to diversify. “An aspect to diversification is to attract foreign direct investment. With the recent announcement of the Bank of China entering Brunei, I think it is a good thing. The benefit of this diversification should be transferred to the local population whether they are individuals or companies.”

Pierre Imhof, CEO of Baiduri Bank, receiving the award from Paul Richardson, World News Media

The interview is available for public viewing on Baiduri Bank’s website www.baiduri.com or the World Finance website www.worldfinance.com.

World Finance is a bi-monthly print and online magazine providing comprehensive coverage and analysis of the financial industry, international business and the global economy.

The magazine targets an audience of finance professionals, and corporate and private investors, but its lucid voice makes it intelligible and essential reading for anybody who wants to understand the machinations of finance in the 21st century.

Since 2007, World Finance has been celebrating achievement, innovation and brilliance in their annual awards.

With a judging panel boasting over 230 years of financial and business journalism, supported by a research team that works round the clock, World Finance ensures the award winners are the most deserving in their sector.

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PENGIRAN Dato Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, the Deputy Minister of Education, attended the 9th China-Asean Education Cooperation Week (CAECW) and the 2nd China-Asean Education Ministers Roundtable Conference (CAEMRC) held at the Guiyang International Eco-Conference Centre, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China, from August 1-2.

In his statement at the 2nd CAEMRC, the deputy minister touched on youth employment and entrepreneurship education in Brunei Darussalam – as part of the Ministry of Education’s (MoE)strategic plan to build a first class education system that provides opportunities for its citizens and residents to meet manpower needs and also new jobs that will be created with economic diversification.

The deputy minister also added, that in the interest of inclusive economic growth and an equitable transition to a more sustainable world, one solution to counter issues concerning youth employment is to encourage entrepreneurship.

In Brunei, entrepreneurship skills and knowledge is offered at every level of education in the National Education System for the 21st Century (SPN21).

MoE has also formulated the National Entrepreneurship Agenda to develop a holistic approach to this need, with strong support from the private sectors.

Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, the Deputy Minister of Education, in a group photo during 9th China-Asean Education Cooperation Week (CAECW) and the 2nd China-Asean Education Ministers Roundtable Conference (CAEMRC). – MOE

The two-day event was attended by ministers and deputy ministers of education of Asean member countries and China to discuss comprehensive educational cooperation at all levels.

The highlight of the roundtable conference was the adoption of the proposed Joint Communique on the Development of Action Plan for CAECW in Support of the Asean Work Plan on Education 2016-2020.

Accompanying the deputy minister at the conference were Dr Chin Wei Keh, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE), MoE and Haji Azrul Melda bin Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar, Acting Special Duties Officer at the Deputy Minister’s Office, MoE.

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