His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mui’zzaddien Wadaullah, the Sultan And Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam in the titah pointed that we all enter the new year 2010 with the feeling of joy and full of gratefulness. Thus, one must be grateful, as the country has successfully glided through the year 2009 with perseverance, occassionally faced with shock, faced with rare incidents such as floods and landslides and also Influenza A H1N1. All these are natural causes, a sign, so that we are ever ready and wise in tackling them. Among the wise ways is to equip ourselves with major action plans, that include the basis of the worse case scenario. That way, the readiness will be more orderly in the future. The monarch was speaking earlier tonight in a titah broadcast by Radio and Television Brunei to the nation in conjunction with the New Year 2009.

His Majesty in the titah said The country has recorded several achievements along the year 2009. As an effort towards securing the food security of the country, the country has taken and is taking necessary steps in raising the local padi production. His Majesty is happy because with the government’s move, it can be seen that it has successfully injected encouragement to the rakyat, together actively in the plantation field. His Majesty has heard that, nowadays many people who like to be called farmers, are attending to their land like never before. No doubt, it is the development that makes the country proud. Besides that, locals are also carrying out efforts in food industries and some can be seen participating in the regional and international expos to promote their food products. All these lead to peace and prosperity.

His Majesty in the titah said that as of 1st of January 2010, the country is introducing the the Supplemental Contributory Pension, SCP Scheme, for both public and private sectors explicitly for those under the Employee Trust Fund or TAP, and also for those inrelation to the raising of pension age of 60 years. His Majesty said the government is committed to carrying out any studies on any policy, for the peace of the rakyat and residents. In this regard, His Majesty believes that there is room for observing and introducing alternative saving schemes or other means of meeting the basic needs, such as housing needs.

In the development efforts, all these ought to be given attention. His Majesty welcomes improvement steps that have and is currently being taken to expedite and further facilitate all public concerns, including those related to starting business. With these steps, it is not impossible for the country’s condition in the list of ‘ease of doing business’ can improve further. According to the International Financial Corporation, World Bank 2010, Brunei Darussalam is in the 96th position out 183 countries assessed. If a country fulfills its service ethics with transparency without favouritism and corruption, Allah willing, whatever that have been planned and carried out will proceed smoothly and be blessed. This is the integrity that civil service must have. Without integrity, a country will fall, or at least will lose the development capability.

On the regional and international development, His Majesty in his titah reminded the people in the country to be together in facing challenges or tests. According to His Majesty, the most important thing for the country is to develop an attitude to continuously be on good terms with all friendly nations in the world. This principle is to be upheld, in line with the religious teachings that require the ummah to know all races and tribes in the world. However, His Majesty said the acquaintances should be tied with a pre-conditional mutual respect, in other words, we respect our friends and vice versa. This is interpreted through various ways, including words, writings, and the like. Anything that can offend a friend, can be considered as not fulfilling the pre-conditions. Finally, His Majesty expressed his highest appreciation and thanks to the Civil Service officers and staff at all levels, Security Forces as well those serving with the private sector, for all their efforts in executing their respective responsibility. In this opportunity, His Majesty and His Majesty’s family wish all the citizens and residents of the country A Happy New Year 2010, and call on them to pray together to Allah the Almighty for his blessings and protection for the people and nation.

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• Jerudong Market
• Mangrove Paradise Resort
• Fishing in Tutong
• HM's National Day's Titah: 'Intensive development is meaningless if the environment is compromised or jeopardised'