The Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) and departments under it held a Tedarus Al-Quran at the Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Malik Mosque in Kampong Tungku, Gadong.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah was the guest of honour.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Fiscal) Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman and Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Economy) Dato Seri Paduka Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, as well as permanent secretaries, heads of departments and divisions, senior officers, and officers and staff at the MoFE and departments under it were also present.
The religious activity is an annual event for the ministry during the month of Ramadhan coordinated by the Treasury Department.
Meanwhile, A contingent from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) held a Tedarus Al-Quran at the Zainab Mosque in Belait District yesterday, in conjunction with Ramadhan.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah and Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Fiscal) Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman during the ceremony. PHOTO: AZLAN OTHMANPermanent Secretary (Security, Welfare and Law) at the MoHA Mohd Amir Hairil bin Haji Mahmud presents the Waqaf to a mosque representative. PHOTO: BELAIT DISTRICT OFFICE
Permanent Secretary (Security, Welfare and Law) at the MoHA Mohd Amir Hairil bin Haji Mahmud was the guest of honour.
Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mumin and Belait District Officer Ramlee bin Haji Jamudin, as well as the deputy permanent secretary and acting deputy permanent secretary at the MoHA also attended.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by the guest of honour, followed by the recitation of verses from Al-Quran, as well as the recitation of Tahlil and
Doa Selamat.
The guest of honour also presented Waqaf donations to the mosque. The event concluded with the breaking of the fast and mass Maghrib prayer.
Statistics from the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) show that there were 103 fire-related emergency calls made in 2020.
Sixty-nine of those calls were about house fires, while 34 were about building fires.
The FRD also received 23 fire-related calls from January to March 2021, of which 11 were on house fires and 12 on building fires.
Often, the leading cause of house and building fires is electrical malfunctions such as overloading, overheating, short circuits, loose connection and wiring.
Other causes include unattended cooking, a loose or leaky LPG hose, children playing with fire and cigarette butts.
“Fires can occur at any time, without any regard for the type of house or building. As long as there are safety lapse elements, fire incidents in residential houses or buildings will continue to occur or increase,” the FRD said in a statement.
Firefighters put out a house fire. PHOTO: FRD
“Most of the houses that are not equipped with fire prevention equipment, such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets and smoke detectors, will be more exposed to the risks of fire. The risks are further aggravated if there are no positive steps taken by the house occupants.
“Better awareness and fire prevention equipment can reduce the rate of losses, injuries and also deaths from being trapped a house fire.
“A responsible individual should not overlook safety aspects, especially in fire prevention.
“Therefore, early preventive measures are necessary, not just when performing the fast and celebrating the arrival of Hari Raya. In fact, it should be made into a daily safety practice.”
The FRD again reminded members of the public to make sure that their homes are equipped with fire extinguishers, fire blankets and smoke detectors.
Homeowners need to make sure that electricity usage is constantly under control, and to switch off all electrical appliances when not in use.
Cooking must not be left unattended, while gas regulators and LPG hoses should be set according to proper standards.
Concepts Computer and Kingston Beverage & Creamery Sdn Bhd yesterday inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote collaborative venture during Ramadhan and Syawal.
Concepts Group of Companies General Manager Vincent Pao signed on behalf of Concepts Computer, while Kingston Beverage & Creamery was represented by Managing Director
Malcolm Lim.
Pao said, “Concepts Computer has a large Muslim customer base, so it is always the perfect decision to collaborate with Kingston Beverage & Creamery to award free drink coupons to our loyal customers who have supported us.
“Concepts Computer and Kingston Beverage & Creamery have been in partnership for the Ramadhan and Aidilfitri season for over half a decade now, and we would like to see the relation hold and grow for many Ramadhan to come,” he said.
A carton of canned beverage and a free drink coupon can be redeemed for every purchase of over BND300 in a single receipt during the month of Ramadhan and Syawal at the Concepts store.
Drink coupons can be redeemed from April 26 to May 29 at Kingston Beverage & Creamery redemption centre in Beribi, from 1pm to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays.
Meanwhile, Concepts Computer Marketing Executive Zul Abdul Rahman said, “In a bid to join in on the Ministry of Health’s initiative in reducing Bruneians intake of sugary drinks, Concepts Computer will provide vouchers for a sugar-free drink option from Kingston and health-conscious customers can request the option when receiving their vouchers.”
Concepts is also joining the Brunei Mega Sales 2021 to welcome Ramadhan and Syawal by providing exciting prices on Xtrike gaming products, office equipment such as Epson monochrome printers.
Opening hours for Concepts Computer are 9am to 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
Concepts Group of Companies General Manager Vincent Pao with Kingston Beverage & Creamery Sdn Bhd Managing Director Malcolm Lim during the signing ceremony. PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Child sexual abuse cases are often preceded by sexual grooming, ASEAN coordinator of Embassy of the United States of America (US) in Brunei Darussalam Marc Porter said.
This practice is defined as a preliminary process whereby the perpetrator gains the trust of the victim with the intent of abusing the victim sexually, he said.
Porter made these comments in his welcoming remarks during an awareness-raising programme on sexual grooming and incest for students of Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School in Tutong District on April 10.
“Understanding sexual grooming and what perpetrators do to a vulnerable child can help prevent sexual abuse before it occurs,” he said.
With financial support from a grant from the US Embassy, Project Women Brunei held the programme. It was organised in cooperation with the Counselling and Career Guidance Unit, Department of Schools of the Ministry of Education.
Porter reiterated the importance of understanding Brunei Darussalam’s laws against sexual grooming and abuse to help girls and other victims avoid the advances of perpetrators and be confident in their knowledge of how to access justice.
Group photo with the participants from Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School. PHOTO: US EMBASSY
He also launched the brochures on Sexual Grooming and Incest: Know Your Rights published in both in English and Malay languages which were distributed among the students.
The programme is the first activity of its kind to raise awareness on the prevention of sexual abuse among students, especially girls.
Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School’s counsellor Hajah Nur Darwisyah Hannani binti Abdullah Yong in her opening remarks extended her gratitude to Project Women Brunei for giving the opportunity for the female students to learn and understand sexual grooming and incest.
Project Women Brunei’s Executive Director Nur Judy binti Abdullah began her talk on Sexual Grooming and Incest with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) provisions on the fundamental rights of children to survival, development, protection, and participation.
She discussed the various articles in the convention that are relevant to the children’s safety, development and well-being.
Sexual grooming and incest were then defined and described in various cases backed with factual data on current cases happening in the country, she said.
Meanwhile, the students also learnt what to do to prevent themselves from becoming victims of any form of abuse and how to seek assistance from relevant agencies.
Ramadhan provides Muslims with the best opportunity for self-improvement and draw closer to Allah the Almighty, said Imams in yesterday’s Friday sermon.
“Let us avail ourselves of this month to improve ourselves, intensify worship, and training and educating ourselves to perform religious deeds such as charity,” the sermon said further.
“We are also encouraged to intensify recommended acts of worship during Ramadhan, as the rewards will be multiplied compared to other months.
“Among the recommended acts of worship encouraged during Ramadhan are the taking of pre-dawn meal or sahur, giving alms and charity, performing nightly Tarawih prayers, conducting Al-Quran recitation vigils or Tadarus, and providing food for fasting people.
“As decreed by Syariah law, Muslims are obligated to pay the Zakat Fitrah or personal Zakat. In Brunei Darussalam, several establishments have been provided to assist us in the payment of Zakat, such as the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB), or through Amils (Zakat collectors appointed by Brunei Islamic Religious Council.
“Aside from that, as one of the additional alternatives for the payment of Zakat Fitrah in the Muslim community in this country, the MUIB has introduced the online payment of Zakat Fitrah.
“The State Mufti’s Office of Brunei Darussalam has ruled the Zakat online payment service as permissible and lawful, because it meets the procedures set by Syariah law in Zakat payment.
“The online payment service for Zakat Fitrah utilises the Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) QuickPay method and the E-Zakat DST system.
“At the same time, efforts are also being made to facilitate the online payment service to several agencies such as Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB) and Progresif Sdn Bhd.”
Brunei Darussalam recorded no new COVID-19 cases yesterday keeping the national tally of confirmed cases at 221.
Eleven active COVID-19 cases are receiving treatment at National Isolation Centre in Tutong District.
The country recorded no local transmissions of the virus for 345 days.
The latest information of COVID-19 as of noon yesterday was shared by Ministry of Health (MoH) in a press release.
The MoH obtained 113 samples for testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the past 24 hours and carried out 117,732 tests since January 2020.
Some 547 individuals are undergoing mandatory self-isolation at government monitoring centres after arriving from abroad while 16,746 have completed their stint since March 2020.
In its breakdown of COVID-19 cases in the country, healthinfo.gov.bn revealed that there have been 186 cases in the Brunei-Muara District, 29 in the Belait District and six in the Tutong District.
In the National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, 7,506 individuals were vaccinated since April 3. The breakdown for the vaccination is 5,700 individuals in Brunei-Muara District, 766 in Belait District, 673 in Tutong District and 364 in Temburong District
Information can be obtained from MoH official website at www.moh.gov.bn, Health Advice Line at 148 or through the BruHealth app or healthinfo.gov.bn web app.
A rare Mars occultation will be visible in the Brunei sky tonight where the Red Planet will disappear behind the crescent of the moon.
The moon will pass in front of Mars creating a lunar occultation visible only from a small region of central Asia including Brunei Darussalam, the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) said yesterday.
The society said from the naked eye, Mars will look like a bright “red star” close to the moon at around 8pm. It will get “interestingly closer” to the moon by 9pm before disappearing at 9.29pm.
Telescopes or binoculars will enhance the view, the PABD said.
An occultation is an astronomical phenomenon when one object is obscured by another object that passes between it and the observer.
Mars will slip behind the moon’s dark side and will be visible to the naked eye. From Brunei, the moon will be very low on the horizon. Lunar gazers must be at a location with an unobstructed view of the Western sky.
Since moon is the nearest cosmic neighbour to Earth, it regularly passes in front of planets or bright stars. But an occultation by the moon and Mars from the same location on Earth is an exceedingly rare occurrence. It is often described as a “perfect planet alignment”
The last Mars occultation from Brunei occurred in May 2008. The next in Brunei is set to take place 77 years later, on February 7, 2098.
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), in recognising that start-ups are a key component in economic diversification, is invested in supporting the local start-up ecosystem through various efforts aimed at encouraging innovation and creativity.
BIBD is currently looking into developing a programme that would invite tertiary students and start-ups to submit fresh ideas and innovative fintech solutions, which is under the education/entrepreneurship pillars of the bank’s corporate social responsibility.
This was shared by BIBD Chief Marketing Officer Hajah Nurul Akmar binti Haji Mohd Jaafar at a press conference hosted by BIBD at the Executive Lounge of its headquarters in the capital yesterday.
Hajah Nurul Akmar also noted that the bank is open to partnering with local fintechs.
She said the programme would be structured in such a way that participants are provided with industry mentorship and development opportunities, with a grant for winning participants to develop their solutions further.
The programme will create a conduit of innovation and puts BIBD in the middle of an ecosystem that supports fintech start-ups while also building a pipeline for enterprising tertiary students.
As the largest financial institution in the country, BIBD has always been committed to supporting the development of local start-ups. The bank has complemented national efforts to boost the local economy with various small and medium enterprise (SME)-related initiatives as well as by empowering them with robust and comprehensive digital business solutions.
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam’s Chief Marketing Officer Hajah Nurul Akmar binti Haji Mohd Jaafar. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD
The bank’s SME360 platform is a comprehensive banking solution that complements the needs of businesses and includes access to a dedicated relationship management team, financial solutions as well as digital payments, in support of the nation’s drive towards becoming a Smart Nation powered by a digital economy.
Roughly 80 per cent of BIBD’s corporate customers are micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), who have access to the SME360 platform.
BIBD’s support for the Smart Nation initiative is an integral part of the bank’s commitment to being a Partner in Progress and BIBD’s ecosystem of digital payments, which is powered by the BIBD NEXGEN platform, extends to partnerships beyond the banking sector with the most recent one being the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The recent partnership with the ministry covers the ability to make payment of Zakat Fitrah via BIBD QuickPay, which is an extension of the Go Cashless Go Digital campaign which BIBD launched last year.
As part of the bank’s efforts to better understand the particular needs and preferences of MSME’s and build innovative approaches, products and tools to reach out to them, BIBD will soon launch its own Merchant Portal.
This will provide MSME’s and start-ups with insights and tools to manage their day-to-day bank-related business operations with the added convenience of being able to access these facilities online.
BIBD Mastercard Payment Gateway Services are also offered to MSMEs wishing to receive digital payments, which is particularly useful for start-ups who hope to scale up and offer their services beyond the local market where the bank offers this at little to no cost, along with existing digital payment solutions such as QuickPay and physical credit card terminals.
In addition, the bank regularly partners with up-and-coming start-ups employing young locals with a shared vision to support the nation’s digital transformation through strategic collaborations and partnerships, supporting these local start-ups in their journey of growth.
One example is BIBD partnering with Pocket, a lifestyle app with its own QR-based digital payment system to promote its credit cards. This signals the bank’s willingness to take a collaborative approach with new players in the fintech space.
The bank also worked closely with Think Axis, a local start-up specialising in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, machine learning as well as web and mobile development to create the bank’s latest CSR initiative, Community for Brunei and most recently, BIBD is looking into collaborating with Beep, an up-and-coming digital payment solutions provider.
Three of the local companies was also showcased at the press conference yesterday and represented by Ivan Ninan of ThreeG Media, Rahman Yoonus of Think Axis and Denny Muslim of BEEP.
BIBD, through collaboration and innovation, hopes to achieve its goal of digital and financial inclusion by creating mutually beneficial synergies with local start-ups where this collaborative approach will bring added benefits to the consumers, offering greater choice and solutions to wider segments of the community, in service of the nation’s aspirations to become a Smart Nation and in support of the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025.
A brother and a sister died after the car they were travelling in crashed into a vehicle from the opposite direction in Kampong Pengkalan Mau, Lamunin, Tutong District yesterday.
The victims were pronounced dead before admission to hospital.
The brother, 20, is believed to have lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another vehicle from the opposite direction, the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) stated in a statement yesterday.
The girl was aged 18.
A distress call was made at 11.57am and Lamunin Police Station personnel rushed to the scene of the accident where they found that both victims had passed away. Investigation into the accident is ongoing.
The RBPF while requesting the public to be vigilant and careful on the road, stressed on the importance of wearing a seat belt.
The Leo’s Club from International School Brunei (ISB) donated a collection of toys and vouchers to the Children’s Cancer Foundation (YASKA) yesterday in an event at Women’s and Children’s Centre of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.
President of Leo’s Club, Aina Fadillah presented the donations to Vice Chairperson of YASKA Tsara’ Nawwarah binti Abdullah Chen, who is also an occupational therapist at the Paediatric Oncology Ward. Leo’s Club Supervisor Sunil and members from Lion’s Club were also present.
“What we’ve done, so far, is collected toys and funds from our own students at ISB that had taken up the opportunity to donate,” said Aina Fadillah. “The funds went towards vouchers that the patient’s families could use to collect food for Ramadhan and for their basic amenities.”
She added, “I would like to seize this opportunity to acknowledge the strength shown from the families under YASKA, as well as the workers that provide them aid.
“We know how strong everyone here has been, and we hope that what we contribute will help make the days a little better.”
ISB’s Leo’s Club comprises students from Year 10 onwards and supervised by a member of the Lion’s Club, an international charity organisation.
YASKA is a non-profit organisation, located on the 6th floor of the Women’s and Children’s Centre of RIPAS Hospital where they support children with cancer.
ISB’s Leo Club members presenting donations to YASKA. PHOTO: ISB
Around 100 new Muslim converts in remote areas of Temburong District were given basic necessities through a charity drive recently, organised by An Naffi Co in collaboration with Ikatan Pengusaha Muslimah Indonesia (IPEMI) and supported by the Islamic Da’wah
Centre (PDI).
IPEMI President Hajah Asnayanti binti Haji Asnan Sumarna said IPEMI, an organisation made up of Indonesian Muslimah entrepreneurs residing in Brunei, is grateful to be able to collaborate with An Naffi as well as the support provided by PDI in making the charity drive possible.
She said that the event promoted a sense of sharing, and by performing religious obligations with the new converts during Ramadhan, it helped strengthen their commitment to the faith.
A Tazkirah was also delivered by religious speaker Haji Suhaimi. The organisations’ members then took Iftar with the converts and later took part in mass Maghrib, Isyak and Sunnat Tarawikh prayers.
A new Muslim convert being presented with donations. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD
The Ministry of Health (MoH) held a Tedarus Al-Quran and presentation of donation to orphans at Surau As-Salam of Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong yesterday.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar presented the donations to 12 orphans from the ministry’s employees in Tutong District.
The event aimed at increasing religious activities during Ramadhan while fostering closer ties among the ministry’s staff.
The MoH is set to hold similar events in other districts.
Management of Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital along with senior officers from the ministry were also present.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar presents a donation to a recipient. PHOTO: AZIZ IDRIS
Prime Minister’s Office
Hakim Hayat
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and departments under it commenced the Tedarus Al-Quran ceremony at Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Mateen Mosque in Kampong Mulaut yesterday afternoon.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud and Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar were present.
The event saw the minister present a waqaf to the Imam of the mosque.
The ceremony then proceeded with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah followed by the recitation of Al-Quran verses.
A Doa Selamat and mass Asar prayer concluded the event.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud and Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar during the Tedarus ceremony. PHOTO: HAKIM HAYAT
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
Rokiah Mahmud
Officers and staff of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) joined mosque congregants in a Tedarus Al-Quran ceremony at Kampong Puni Mosque, Temburong yesterday.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin attended.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by the minister, followed by the recitation of verses of Al-Quran by participants.It continued with the recitation of Tahlil and Doa and concluded with a mass Asar prayer. The minister also presented a Waqaf to the mosque.
Permanent Secretary (Administration, Finance and Estate) at the MCYS Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Youth and Sports) at the MCYS Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin bin Pengiran Haji Said were also present.
Minister of Culture Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Series Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin at the event. PHOTO: INFOFOTO
MoRA female officers and staff
Lyna Mohamad
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) organised its annual Tedarus ceremony for female officers and staff in conjunction with the month of Ramadhan at Kampong Salambigar Mosque yesterday.
Present as the guest of honour was spouse of the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Datin Hajah Jamaiah binti Haji Abdul Manaf who initiated the event with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah.
The ceremony continued with the Tedarus ceremony, led by Deputy Director of the Core Knowledge Centre, Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Dayangku Zainab binti Pengiran Haji Tuah and the recitation of Tahlil led by Assistant Religious Development Officer at the Islamic Da’wah Centre (PDI) Siti Noraziah binti Haji Asli.
Muslimah Guidance Class Supervisor at Kampong Salambigar Mosque Nur Hafizah binti Haji Ismail led Doa Arwah.
The ceremony was enlivened with a special talk ‘Filling Ramadhan with Piety’ delivered by Brunei Islamic Religous Council (MUIB) Da’ie Nurhuwaina binti Mamud, and concluded with the recitation of Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Brunei Darussalam by Acting Director of the Islamic Legal Unit Mahani binti Haji Suhaili.
The activity aimed at cultivating love for Al-Quran and encouraging participants to increase the deeds of worship in the month of Ramadhan, while fostering closer ties between participants and the mosque’s Muslimah group.
Spouse of the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Datin Hajah Jamaiah binti Haji Abdul Manaf initiates the event with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah. PHOTO: MORA
Council of Women of Brunei Darussalam
Rokiah Mahmud
The Council of Women of Brunei Darussalam (CWBD) continued its series of Tedarus Al-Quran ceremony for 13 associations under the council yesterday at the residence of CWBD Vice-President II Datin Hajah Masni binti Haji Mohd Ali in Jerudong.
Datin Hajah Masni said as Ramadhan is the most blissful month, the activity aimed to seek blessings from Allah the Almighty, while also served as platform for members of the council to improve their Al-Quran recitation.
The ceremony was attended by 40 members. Participants took turns in reading Al-Quran starting from second Juzuk in Surah Al-Baqarah.
Council of Women of Brunei Darussalam members at the event. PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIR
The Islamic Religious Body under the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) held at a religious talk at the Police Headquarter in Gadong, in marking the holy month of Ramadhan.
Islamic Da’wah Centre Religious Development Officer Isham bin Ismail delivered talk titled Hikmah Puasa.
Commissioner of Police Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali was the guest of honour.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohd Jefri bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Hamid, directors, deputy directors, senior officers and officers as well as civilian staff of the RBPF also attended.
The talk discussed the extraordinary rewards for Muslims who fast and conduct religious practices during the fasting month.
Commissioner of Police Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali, Deputy Commissioner of Police Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohd Jefri bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Hamid and senior officers at the religious talk. PHOTOS: JAMES KONIslamic Da’wah Centre Religious Development Officer Isham bin Ismail delivers the talk
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) held a recitation of Surah Yaasiin and Tahlil ceremony for Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam, Al-Marhumah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman, and Al-Marhum His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim at Kampong Pulaie Mosque yesterday.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, along with Legislative Council members, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, heads of departments, senior officers and staff at MoHA.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by recitation of Surah Yaasiin and Tahlil led by Mosque Affairs Officer Mohd Zakaria bin Haji Mohd Salleh.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong participates in the ceremony. PHOTO: AZLAN OTHMAN
Ministry of Development
Aziz Idris
The Ministry of Development and departments under it held a recitation of Surah Yaasiin and Tahlil ceremony in remembrance for Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam, Al-Marhumah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman, and Al-Marhum His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim.
Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Ir Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar attended the ceremony, beginning with a mass Zohor prayer, followed by the recitation of Surah Yaasiin, Tahlil and Doa Arwah led by Mosque Affairs officer Haji Muhd Azrol Alim bin Haji Zaini.
Deputy Minister of Development Dato Seri Paduka Ar Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Development Ir Haji Amer Hishamuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Zakaria, senior officials and staff were also present.
Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Ir Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar and other senior officials at the ceremony. PHOTO: AZIZ IDRIS
Clear skies in Brunei last night allowed for the easy viewing of a rare Mars occultation in its skies, where the Red Planet disappeared behind the crescent moon.
The phenomenon that happened for about 10 seconds at 9.29pm saw the moon passing in front of Mars creating a lunar occultation visible only from a small region of central Asia including Brunei.
Over 20 members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD), armed with telescopes, binoculars and cameras took part in a viewing at the beach front of The Empire Brunei in Jerudong last night.
According to executive committee member of PABD Nurbazilah binti Zainal Abidin, the phenomenon is rare because it will only be visible in Brunei in the next 77 years.
“We were here from about 8pm, and recorded the whole transition from beginning, from above the moon until it goes behind the moon,” she said.
Photo shows a rare Mars occultation visible in the Brunei sky last night where the Red Planet disappeared behind the crescent moon. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD HIDAYATULLAH AHMAD, PABDABOVE & BELOW: Photos show lunar gazers at the event last night. PHOTOS: PABD
She added that the clear sky made the view easier.
“There was no obstruction, and the sky was clear, which is quite rare.”
She also recalled a moment of panic when some clouds appeared to obstruct the view five minutes before the start of the phenomenon but cleared just in time for the event.
From the naked eye, Mars looked like a bright “red star” close to the moon at around 8pm. It got interestingly closer to the moon by 9pm before disappearing at 9.29pm.
PABD said that an occultation is an astronomical phenomenon when one object is obscured by another object that passes between it and the observer.
Mars will slip behind the moon’s dark side and will be visible to the naked eye. From Brunei, the moon will be very low on the horizon. Lunar gazers must be at a location with an unobstructed view of the Western sky.
Since the moon is the nearest cosmic neighbour to Earth, it regularly passes in front of planets or bright stars. But an occultation by the moon and Mars from the same location on Earth is an exceedingly rare occurrence. It is often described as the “perfect planet alignment”.
The last Mars occultation from Brunei occurred in May 2008. The next in Brunei is set to take place 77 years later, on February 7, 2098.
Baiduri Bank yesterday cemented its support to the Development of Native Mobile Application for Volunteers (Mengalinga) with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and Baiduri Bank.
The volunteer app, with a targetted launch in August this year, will comprise different features. Its primary function is to provide a platform to enable event organisers and non-government organisations to promote volunteering opportunities and allow aspiring volunteers to join these activities through the app.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin witnessed the signing as the guest of honour at the Baiduri Community Space, Baiduri Bank Headquarters.
Baiduri Bank will support the development of the mobile application as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative and supporting the government’s initiative to create a digital platform and promote volunteerism in the country.
“As part of the bank’s CSR programme and our support towards the whole-of-nation approach, we are very proud to be able to support the ministry’s initiative to provide a platform for volunteerism through this mobile app, especially when the current generation is prone to using mobile phones and going towards digital technology,” said Baiduri Bank Chief Executive Officer Ti Eng Hui.
He said the bank launched its own staff volunteer programme called Baiduri Cares last week. “Through this programme, we encourage our employees to volunteer for CSR activities initiated by the bank and hopefully in the near future, we can leverage Mengalinga to invite the public to join some of our CSR activities, working hand in hand with our employees to make a positive impact in the community,” he said.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin with Permanent Secretary (Strategy and Policy Management) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan and Baiduri Bank Chief Executive Officer Ti Eng Hui after the signing. PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIRBaiduri Bank Chief Executive Officer Ti Eng Hui speaks at the event. PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Youth and Sports) at the MCYS Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin bin Pengiran Haji Said highlighted that “the boom of the 4th Industrial Revolution has significantly impacted the development of the nation as a whole. With the rapid development of the existing digital technology, facilities such as Apple Store, Google Play Store and others have opened up opportunities and provide convenience of access to obtain information, knowledge, analyse data and find out current issues faster”.
He said the adaptation or use of technology in each aspect of daily life “has provided many contributions and new opportunities, especially towards providing quality services for every level of society, especially through the aspect of volunteerism”.
Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin said the volunteer programme in the country has helped the government to care for those in need.
“These efforts come from various agencies, government organisations and non-government organisations demonstrating that the strong united spirit and close cooperation of the whole community must be nurtured and enhanced by every individual regardless of age,” he said.
He said in realising the aspirations of Brunei Vision 2035 and build a Smart Nation, the ministry is always committed to providing a platform and empowerment opportunities for every individual to contribute to the society.
He said Baiduri Bank’s BND15,000 contribution shows the efforts in enhancing volunteerism in the country is a shared responsibility.
The bank’s contribution is widely appreciated and meaningful to the MCYS in preparing the first digital system in the country, especially for the activities of volunteers and associations, Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin said.
He hoped Mengalinga will become a Volunteer Application System that can provide facilities and access to all levels of society to be actively involved in volunteerism activities.
Signing on behalf of the MCYS were Permanent Secretary (Strategy and Policy Management) Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan and Acting Director of Youth and Sports Department Mariam binti Ulat.
Signing on behalf of Baiduri Bank were its Chief Executive Officer Ti Eng Hui and Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Business Development) Pengiran Azaleen bin Pengiran Dato Haji Mustapha.
