HM’s National Day’s Titah: ‘Intensive development is meaningless if the environment is compromised or jeopardised’

Balai Berita RTB

His Majesty Titah 2

Hence, the time has come for us to expedite the legislation of laws or regulations for more orderly development. For example, we need to enforce an environmental impact assessment mechanism and the likes for development projects. Equally important to be mentioned are financial-related matters. Recently, my government had implemented a regulation controlling the use of credit cards. This measure has drawn the attention of various quarters and became a topic of conversation. The objective of the government is for us to understand that lavish lifestyles based on mounting debts is a fragile luxury that will only bring losses in the long run. Even though at the early stage, the measure may cause difficulty to some people or institutions, the government believes the measure is appropriate in order to take care of the people’s well-being in the long-term. This is one of our strategies toward creating the economy – one of the three pillars of the Brunei Vision 2035. The country needs more orderly, stable and attractive economic policies as well as a conducive investment environment that can serve as a catalyst for comprehensive economic growth. Likewise, efforts that will enable us to balance shortcomings in the domestic, regional and global markets are also needed and make a transformation into a more positive and beneficial end.

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Sultan’s 26th National Day’s Titah

Balai Berita RTB

His Majesty Titah 1

More importantly, what our contribution is to perpetuate Allah’s bestowals to us and to our country. Patriotism is always viewed vaguely in the form of pledges and during celebrations. People seldom look into its deep secrets: that bestowals should be embraced with gratefulness and polished with pious deeds to Allah the Al-Mighty. Should these be done, only then will the bestowals perpetuate as promised by Allah the Al-Mighty. So, in conjunction with this historic moment, let us together be thankful and carry out pious acts. Besides these, we also need continued actions in that whatever has been planned must be implemented timely and should not merely remain as plans on paper. The key to all these is the way we implement these plans. Among the most effective means are consultations among relevant agencies. For example, when plans to build schools or mosques are delayed, land regulations or land not having gazetted are sometimes attributed as obstacles causing the delay. If this is the reason, does it not come from the government? By right, if the government so wants it, obviously such a problem should not be difficult. Nevertheless, delays still occur. Are we really serious or not? If the delay is at the junior level, is the senior level willing to discuss it together? This is our problem, and this is why the key performance indicators was established to be used as guidelines by all government agencies.
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Balai Berita RTB
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Before commercial gum came into the scene, kite producers used cooked rice and sago starch, known locally as ambuyat, to make the paper or fabric stick to the framework. However most kite makers still prefer the traditional sago starch to the modern day gum. The various parts of the framework are tied with string in accordance with the kind of shape and size of the kite. Once it is completed, a long string is attached to the kite, which is sent aloft by the action of wind on its surfaces. The height or distance can be determined by manipulating the string from the ground. It was for this reason that each kite player was always on the alert by having several feet of the top part of the string coated with grind glass and cooked tapioca flour, making it quite sharp and stiff. The idea was to entangle and sever an opponent’s kite string. Once could recall that sometimes about a dozen or more kites were seen flying in the sky, attacking and trying to cut one another out of circulation.

The one that survive the ordeal was declared the winner of the eagerly fought battle. The vanquished were never disheartened by the experience. Each was even more determined to become the victor in the next encounter. Kite flying has for the centuries been a popular traditional game in Brunei Darussalam both to the adults and children especially during kite flying season and the southwest monsoon winds which blows between May and November.

Balai Berita RTB

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Car dealers such as NBT(Brunei) Sdn Bhd, GHK Sdn Bhd, Worldwidemotor Sdn Bhd are one of the many vendors participating on the Year-End Showcase 2009.

Balai Berita RTB
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Brunei SEA Games Contingent arrives home

Brunei Darussalam SEA Games contingent returned late last night (Dec 21) taking home with them 10 SEA GAMES medals.

Out of the 10 medals, one gold was collected through the Men’s Single Pencak Silat event. Silver medals was bagged through the Wushu Duillian event using weapon for women While eight bronze medals were collected through Karate Do, Wishu and Pencak Silat events. The contingent was welcomed by the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Doktor Haji Awang Ahmad Hj Jumat and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Jemat bin Hj Ampal.

Balai Berita RTB
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‘Baitul Wajihah’, is an exhibit house in Kampong Wasan display a collection of traditional games and handicrafts as part of efforts to promote our cultural heritage to the younger generation and foreign visitors in the era of globalisation.

The ‘Baitul Wajihah’ is owned by a local entrepreneur, Awang Haji Muslim bin Haji Salim and the idea of establishing a show case house came following encouragement of family members and friends. It is also a way to expose and educate both locals and foreigners on Brunei Darussalam’s rich cultures and traditions.

Awang Haji Muslim, in an interview with RTB, said that ‘Baitul Wajihah’ is also aimed at promoting local traditional way of life and this includes some lessons in making traditional food and handicraft such as ‘Ambuyat’ or the sago starch staple dish, ‘ketupat’ or steam rice wrapped in coconut shoot, the making of walking sticks and a demonstration of various traditional games.

He said the handicraft on exhibit are the products of the local resident. The Baitul Wajihah project is also carried out in collaboration with the travel agencies that help to bring in tourist to the place. It also has the support of the Brunei Tourism Board which provide some facilities.

Balai Berita RTB
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In 2010, Brunei will once again be under the spotlight as it will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum ATF from January 21st until January 28th. This annual event involves all 10 members of the ASEAN Nation to project ASEAN as an attractive, multi-faceted single destination and to create and increase awareness of ASEAN as a highly competitive regional tourist destination in Asia Pacific.
Brunei to host ATF next year

Within ASEAN, the opportunities for green tourism are growing for both travellers and local communities. Not only the region’s cultural heritage but the natural landscape, environment, and diverse wild life form the foundation for attracting visitors. In an interview with RTB, the Director of Tourism Development, Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, said he believed that this year’s ATF theme is parallel to Brunei’s policy which focuses on Heart of Green.

While trying to attract more tourists to individual ASEAN member countries or to promote intra-ASEAN travel, this Forum will strengthen cooperation among the various sectors of the ASEAN tourism industry as well as the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

Balai Berita RTB
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Balai Berita RTB
The 25th SEA Games Wushu event took place at the Lao ITECC (pro: Ai-tek) Complex. The first silver medal for Brunei Darussalam was won by two young national athletes in the Women Duillian with Weapon Category.

Lee Ying Shi and partner, Faustina Woo Wai Sii, displayed an remarkable performance even though they had less than four months of training before leaving for Vientiane.

Brunei Darussalam shared the Silver Medal with Vietnam in the Women Duillian With Weapon category, with both sides collecting 9.4-5 points. Singapore won the gold medal with only point zero one point more, or 9.4-6 points.

Meanwhile, a pair of brothers, Ismi bin Bismi and Isa bin Bismi won the Bronze Medal through the Men Duillian With Weapon Category.

These two brothers also showed an impressive performance. They also had competed several times in this event, representing the country in championships in the country and abroad and won prizes or medals.

Ismi and Isa collected 9.2 points to win the Bronze medal in the event. They shared the medal with Malaysia. The gold medal was won by the host athlete and the siliver went to Indonesia.

The Pencak Silat event was also held at the same venue. Two national athletes competed in the preliminary round. In the B Class for Men 50 to 55 kilogramme, Mohamad Amali bin Haji Abdul Malik lost to the host athlete, Thit Sa Phone Kham Phi Thoun. Meanwhile, Siti Zuliza binti Omar lost to her challenger from Malaysia, Malini Mohamad in the B Class for Women 55 kilogramme category.

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Crown Prince in the Men’s double 9-Ball Pool

Balai Berita RTB

The match took place at the Convention Hall, Don Chan Palace Hotel. Present was Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab-Rahaman. In the match, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and his partner Teo Chee Soon faces the duo from Vietnam, represented by Luong Chi Dung dan Do Hoang Quan. The match was won by Vietnam.

Also present was Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Qawi. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince next match will be the men’s single 9-Ball Pool which will begin on the 15th of this month.
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Balai Berita RTB
Officiating the event, was the Acting Director of Anti-corruption Bureau, Awang Ang Swee Kiang. The function coincided with the prize presentation to the winner of the Friday Sermon writing competition, Awang Norimy bin Haji Ahad. Meanwhile an article writing competition was won by Dayang Suriati binti Haji Hussin. The competitions were coordinated with cooperation of the Mosque Affairs Department and the Language and Literature Bureau.

The activities which are open to public-participation are the Bureau’s on-going efforts to spread awareness of the dangers of corruption. This is inline with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s titah – to clear the country of corruption. Similar functions will take place in the Belait District on Saturday, December 12th; Temburong District on Monday December 14th; and Tutong District the following day on December 15th.
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SSYEAP’s foster family program gives exposure to culture of Brunei

Balai Berita RTB

One hundred and 22 families converged at the Multipurpose Hall in Berakas for the homestay matching ceremony, to pick up their foster family-member. 285 youths from ASEAN nations, including 28 local youths, take part in the program.

This year, Former Participants of the Youth Ship Association, BERSATU, are the programme’s hosts. During their stay in Brunei, participants will visit various institutions to learn more about local culture, international relations, information and youth development. The Fuji Maru Youth Ship will remain in Brunei until Friday, when it departs for it’s final destination
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Bintang Kecil star shines with “RTM Best Performance” award

Balai Berita RTB

Abdul Aziz, a pupil of the International School of Brunei was chosen to represent Brunei in the RTM Bintang Kecil Competition after he won the 2009 RTB Bintang Kecil Competition. Abdul Aziz, admitted that the talent in the neighbouring country was tough. However with the support of his parents, he managed to pull off the awarded ”Best Performance”.
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Joint Operation in Tutong, 17 people detained

Balai Berita RTB

In the operation that involved 142 officers, 17 people were detained at the Tutong District Police station for further investigation on immigration offences and failing to produce valid travel documentation. The operation focused on Tutong Town, Kampungs Bukit Beruang, Luagan Duduk and Sinaut.

Meanwhile, 17 road traffic offences were recorded in road blocks set-up in Kampung Lamunin and Kampung Bukit Panggal Highway. 15 of the 17 cases were fined for unauthorised modifications to vehicles, as well as expired road taxes and driving licenses. Two cases will be taken to Court.

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HM receives SSYEAP Delegates

Balai Berita RTB

His Majesty received the heads of delegations at Istana Nurul Iman. The 13-member entourage is led by the Ship Administrator, Aichiro Tanaka.
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SSYEAP’s Fuji Maru docks in Brunei

Balai Berita RTB

The programme aims to bring forth understanding and international cooperation among the youths of ASEAN and Japan to identify and study various activities in a country from the aspect of lifestyle, social, traditional culture, political and economic development. Meanwhile, the ceremony to introduce the participants to the foster programme was held this morning at the Multi-purpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex. Brunei Darussalam first participated in the programme in 1985 and has continued to do so until today. To-date, more than 6 thousand local youths have participated in the programme. The South East Asia Youth Ship Programme is organised by the government of Japan with the active participation and cooperation from South East Asian countries.

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Balai Berita RTB

Tutong’s Consumer Fair at the district’s Carnival launched on December 4th, has received a good response from small and medium enterprises or SME’s. The showcased products also drew positive feedback from public who came to visit the Fair.

The consumer fair, aims to promote SME products. When asked, SME entreprenuers reported good exposure. Cake and food entrepreneurs say that the 10 day Fair, was an excellent platform to help them introduce their products.

Meanwhile, other products such as clothes and health products also received a warm public response.

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Over 300 participate in Bukit Shahbandar Challenge

Balai Berita RTB

Seven categories were competed, including ones for children aged 14 and under. Over 350 people took part, including the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya. Launching the Challenge was his Deputy, Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah.

The event aimed to promote the area as a popular eco-tourist destination. It was also to raise public awareness on the impact that rainforest has on climate change, on a global agenda. The event was organised jointly, with Brunei’s Saw Mill Association, in conjunction with 2009 World Forestry Day.

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King Prawn Catching Competition highlights Cuti-Cuti Temburong

Balai Berita RTB

The King Prawn Catching Competition took place at Lubuk Putaran, Kampung Labu Estate, and was organised by Mukim Labu’s consultative council. Over 170 participants took part. 78 participants who used boats competed in Category A. Meanwhile in Category B – 91 participants who fished on land. A team from neighbouring country, Limbang also came to compete.

A Fishing Hut at Lubuk Putaran Kampung Labu Estate was officially opened by Temburong district officer, Awang Matusin bin Orang Kaya Sura Haji Tuba.

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Joint Operation, Alcohol Smugglers and Drunk Drivers nabbed

Balai Berita RTB

The operation codenamed “OPERASI BELANTARA SATU” was led by the Superintendant of the Limau Manis Police Station, A-S-P Mohamad Mezudy Afril bin Mohamad Mazlan. The operation involved 28 enforcement officers – six from the Royal Brunei Customs and Excise Department, seven from the RUC Police unit and the rest from the Limau Manis Police Station.

The operation began at 10 pm. Several vehicles were detained for trying to smuggle in alcohol, and several other offenders were nabbed for drunk-driving, expired road tax and driving licences, as well as unauthorised modification of vehicles.

The Royal Customs and Excise Department urges the public to report any smuggling activity via its hotline: Custom 871-44-22 or 238-24-22. The public can also report criminal or suspicious activities through hotline 9-9-3. Police welcome public help and co-operation in combatting criminal activities.
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