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Showing posts from 2016

Private Educational Institutions Registered for 2017

MoE lists registered private educational institutions for 2017 on: December 31, 2016 | Rokiah Mahmud | THE Ministry of Education (MoE) has released a list of private formal schools that are registered under the ministry for academic year 2017. Parents and guardians are advised to enrol their children in schools registered under the ministry. Education allowance can only be claimed by students studying at registered schools under the ministry, according to a release issued by the ministry. Private formal schools that are registered under the ministry for academic year 2017 are as follows: Brunei-Muara District: 1. Al-Falaah School Sungai Akar branch 2. Al-Falaah School Ban 5 branch 3. Bakti Dewa School Jerudong branch 4. Bakti Dewa School Berakas branch 5. Bright Jigsaw International School 6. Chung Hwa Middle School 7. DES School 8. Fairview School 9. Freda Radin School 10. ‘IQRA Primary School 11. Jigsaw Playschool 12. Jigsaw Primary School 13. Joyful Kids Montessori School 14

Brunei National Service Programme PKBN

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PKBN: Strengthening the youth on: December 26, 2016 | Danial Norjidi | THE National Service Programme (PKBN) is a youth development programme that carries the aim of producing youths who are responsible, disciplined, dynamic, united and courageous, and who contribute to the country’s socio-economic development and strengthen national defence. Implemented under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the goal of PKBN is to enhance the spirit of patriotism, commitment and resilience among youth in addition to strengthening the understanding contained in the constitution of the state and the national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB). Among the objectives of PKBN stated on their website are: create excellent Bruneian youths; enhance committed and resilient patriotism; strengthen understanding and produce youths that are faithful and devoted; foster a sense of solidarity; form positive character and the spirit of volunteerism; and produce youths that are responsible a

Brunei International Airport To Welcome Bigger Aircrafts

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BIA set to welcome bigger aircraft soon on: December 25, 2016 | Azlan Othman | THE runway and taxiway of Brunei International Airport (BIA) are being upgraded to receive Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 aircraft that can carry large number of passengers and high volume of cargo. This was said by the Minister of Communications, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, on the sidelines of his visit to the Brunei International Airport yesterday to oversee the tour of a group of students who turned up to attend the Airport Open Day held by the Department of Civil Aviation to mark the International Civil Aviation Day. Upgrading works continue to be implemented at the airport by looking at the demand of international airlines, the minister said, adding that Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 aircraft will be able to operate at BIA in the near future. “Globally in the future, the airline market is going to be huge. The government has been making big investment in increasing the faci

HM Sultan Brunei: Don't Misuse Net, Avoid Dubious Group

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Don’t misuse Net, avoid dubious groups on: December 24, 2016 STUDENTS should not misuse the Internet and ensure that they travel for the right reason. They should be more cautious of religious gatherings though physically they might appear virtuous, but their “methods” may be wrong and doubtful. This was stated in a titah 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, as the monarch and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam on Thursday consented to attend a get-together ceremony in London with citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, comprising students, and government officials on duty, attending courses as well as those on vacation with their families. “There is evidence that such activities have been

Bank of China (Hong Kong) Now In Brunei

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Banking milestone: BOCHK opens 1st branch in Brunei on: December 21, 2016 | James Kon | THE first Chinese bank to establish its footprint in Brunei Darussalam, Bank of China (Hong Kong), or BOCHK, officially opened its branch in the Sultanate yesterday which is expected to further fuel the growth of the local financial market. The guest of honour who graced the prestigious opening ceremony at The Empire Hotel & Country Club was Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs. Also in attendance were Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mohamad Roselan bin Haji Mohamad Daud, Acting Minister of Finance cum Acting Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office; Yusof bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Managing Director of Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD), Yang Jian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam; Wang Xiao Lin, General Manager of BOCHK Brunei branch; officials from various g

ASEAN Today: Will Brunei's Big Vision Change the Country for the Better?

ASEAN Today had this article on their website: +++++ Will Brunei’s big vision change the country for the better? DECEMBER 18, 2016 It’s been nine years since the announcement of the Wawasan Brunei 2035 targets to revitalise and overhaul Brunei and its economy. Good progress has been made on getting the key policies in place but the next phase of development means the government and citizens must face a whole new world. By Oliver Ward The launch of Wawasan Brunei 2035 (or Brunei Vision) over a decade ago sought to target three main areas. It called for a dynamic and sustainable economy, education reforms to create a highly skilled workforce and raising the standard of living across the country. Behind these big plans, the government outlined goals for the total reformation of the education system, economic policy, business development, social security and welfare systems, as well as environmental policy. So, to what extent have these reforms managed to achieve Hassanal Bolkiah’s

Learning through the lessons of history (MIB Series)

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Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin and the delegation arriving at Bandar Brunei (Kampong Ayer) from Tantaya, Limbang Territory, after the end of World War II. Ibrahim Mohd Jaafar and family in a photo with the family of the British Resident, Sir John Peel. – PHOTOS: MIB SUPREME COUNCIL Learning through the lessons of history on: December 19, 2016 | Dr Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong, Senior Special Duties Officer, Secretariat Office, MIB Supreme Council | THE Japanese Occupation of 1941-1945 was a major blow to Brunei’s sovereignty as a Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB). Under the occupation acts of injustice towards the local populace caused deep resentment that eventually grew into hatred, particularly among Bruneian nationalists. The occupation also led to the reclaiming of Brunei’s sovereignty led by the Youth Front (BARIP). The movement was supported by Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin and his brother Pengiran Bendahara Pemaisura (later Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’ad

The Revival of Brunei Nationalism (MIB Series)

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A photo of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin attending the afternoon banquet in conjunction with the arrival of Macolm MacDonald in Brunei in 1947 The arrival of British High Commissioner for Asia, Malcolm MacDonald is greeted by Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddien A photo of the writer (left) with Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Salleh bin Haji Masri (centre) and Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama Dr Haji Awang Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Umar. The revival of Bruneian nationalism on: December 05, 2016 written by: Dr. Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong Special Senior Duties Officer Secretariat Office, MIB Supreme Council IT IS said that the greatest strength is forged in the fires of great adversity. The end of the Japanese Occupation during World War II in the 1940s ignited the spirit of nationalism among certain intellectuals who were schooled abroad, and their leade

Brunei Darussalam Tackles Rise of Non-Communicable Diseases

Brunei Darussalam tackles rise of non-communicable diseases 27 Nov 2016 The rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is placing an increasing burden on Brunei Darussalam’s health care system and economy, though the government is stepping up efforts to improve the nation’s health. NCDs have been the main cause of death in Brunei Darussalam for more than 30 years, with a shift away from traditional lifestyles and dietary patterns seen as the underlying cause, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH). If unchecked, the increasing incidence of NCDs could put a strain on the country’s health care system, as well as affect social and economic growth. “Without a change in our behaviour, the number of obese adults in the country is forecast to soar. This will prove devastating for the country and pose a real barrier towards our national development,” the MoH said in a statement in June. Rising to the challenge In response, the government has launched the Brunei Darussalam National

Overcoming challenges of Westernisation, Globalisation (MIB Series)

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The Castille War in Brunei Model of Brunei's Mosque in 15th Century Map Showing Pigafetta's Trip Around the World Overcoming challenges of Westernisation, Globalisation on: November 07, 2016 | Dr Muhammad Hadi Bin Md Melayong, Secretariat Office, MIB Supreme Council | IN AN increasingly globalised world, it is next to impossible to overlook the challenges posed by external forces, especially in a borderless stream of modernisation. These challenges to our national consciousness began after the arrival of Western powers to the East in the 16th Century. Our forefathers managed to preserve their cultural and national iden-tity, while a host of unwelcome elements brought by the Western colonisers spread throughout the region. In Brunei Darussalam, the main defences that were used to safeguard our culture and national identity have been the values enshrined in our national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB). The matter was stated in a titah b

Brunei's Golden Period of Expansion - (MIB Series)

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Part of Brunei's Canons from the 16th Century Illustration of Ancient Brunei Brunei’s golden period of expansion on: October 24, 2016 | Dr Muhammad Hadi bin Md Melayong, Secretariat Office, MIB Supreme Council | SULTAN Muhammad Shah adopted the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) as a governmental and authoritative foundation in the Brunei Empire in the 1360s. With MIB as the bedrock of the country’s philosophical and spiritual values, combined with his skilled leadership and the loyal support of his followers, it became the driving force in Brunei’s glorious expansion from the early 15th Century to the 17th Century. Brunei continued its regional prominence during the reign of the third Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Sharif Ali (1425-1432). He was an Islamic scholar from Ta’if (Hejaz, South Arabia) and it was believed that he was a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), through the lineage of Sayyidina Hassan, the Prophet’s grandson. Brunei’s geographical location

Melayu Islam Beraja, MIB, Living Foundation of Every Bruneian (MIB Series)

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16th Century Map of Borneo Island MIB, living foundation of every Bruneian on: October 10, 2016 Dr Muhammad Hadi Bin Muhammad Melayong Secretariat of the Malay Islamic Monarchy Supreme Council of Brunei Darussalam ARCHEOLOGICAL sources point to the existence of MIB coming to the tiny country of Brunei, then still known to the world as Po-ni, approximately more than 600 years ago. The concept itself was established by Awang Alak Betatar, the monarch in power at the time, in 1368 AD and later practised by his lineage till present day. Stated in Datu Imam Yaakup’s version of The Genealogy of Brunei Kings “The the first government to bring Islam into the Brunei government administration under the syariat of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the government of Paduka Seri Sultan Muhammad Shah”, the Muslim name bestowed upon Awang Alak Betatar when he converted to Islam following his marriage to the Princess of Johor, which we now refer to as ancient Singapore. This article will focus o

The Age of Decline: Brunei in the late 19th Century (MIB Series)

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Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin with top ranking Japanese military officials during the Japanese occupation of Brunei in World War II. The situation of Bruneian people when the allied forces landed in Muara. – PHOTOS: MIB SUPREME COUNCIL The age of decline November 21, 2016 | Dr Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong, Senior Special Duties Officer, Secretariat Office, MIB Supreme Council | BEFORE the 17th century, Brunei was a vast empire, and arguably the most influential in the centre of the South China Sea, with regions stretching as far as the present-day Philippines and parts of Indonesia. Prior to the rise of the Srivijaya and Majapahit empires, and after the fall of Malacca to the Dutch in the early 16th century, Brunei was the premier destination for traders between China and the West. However, as colonialism gained full force in the 18th and 19th centuries, Brunei fell under Western colonialism and had its territories slowly but surely wrested away from its con