The Daily Brunei Resources

The Oxford Business Group reported the following news: +++++ Brunei Darussalam’s industrial island becomes a reality Economic News Update 28 Aug 2015 Expectations are high for Brunei Darussalam’s downstream energy sector, as Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) island prepares to welcome the country’s first oil refinery and aromatics cracker complex, highlighting the Sultanate’s growing potential as a destination for value-added processing. Upon completion, the plant is expected to inject an estimated $2bn per annum into the Bruneian economy and boost GDP by around 2% when fully operational, according to Mohammad Parvez Imdad, an economist at the South-east Asia department of the Asian Development Bank, speaking to local media earlier this year. Island future First envisaged in 2011, the PMB industrial island project mirrors Singapore’s Jurong Island, an artificial land mass located south-west of the city-state’s main island. Jurong has become a cornerstone of Singapore's energ

Commemorative dollar notes to honour Sultan Posted date: August 29, 2015 | Fadley Faisal | AUTORITI Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) has introduced a limited edition of Brunei dollar notes to mark 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’s 69th birthday celebration. The uncut polymer currency, which can be used as legal tender, will be available for purchase for members of the public. “The sales of the limited numbers of the $1 and $10 notes will kick start on Monday, August 31, and the public can buy it from AMBD located at the Commonwealth Drive during government office hours,” said Mardini bin Haji Eddie, Executive Director of AMBD’s Monetary Operations Department at a press conference held at the Brunei Currency Monetary Board Building. The uncut three-piece $1 block is sold at $40 while the eight-piece $1 block is priced at $100.

The flag cession ceremony was presided by the Commander of the RBAF Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Adbullah to Head of IMT contingent, 429 Lieutenant Colonel Azman bin Haji Bangkol and Head of UNIFIL Contingent, Captain Mohd Faizi bin Haji Tarif RBAF 12th IMT & UNIFIL peacekeepers ready for mission Posted date: August 29, 2015 | Azaraimy HH | A SEND off ceremony was held yesterday for two Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) contingents on monitoring and peacekeeping missions abroad. Six personnel from the RBAF and one personnel from Royal Brunei Police Force will monitor the ceasefire agreement between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the 12th International Monitoring Team (IMT) mission in Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines. The outgoing 12th IMT contingent, which is being led by 429 Lieutenant Colonel Azman bin Haji Bangkol, consists of 785 Major Sheikh Faisal bin Dato Paduka Sheikh Adanan;

Their Majesties attend Khatam Al-Quran ceremony Posted date: August 28, 2015 | Azaraimy HH | 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 Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam yesterday consented to attend the 69 times Khatam Al-Quran ceremony held in conjunction with His Majesty’s 69th birthday celebration at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday. The religious ceremony, organised by Mukim and Village Consultative Councils, commenced simultaneously in all four districts on March 2, 2015, ended at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday. Accompanying Their Majesties to the event were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri

The undisturbed ecosystem within the Peat Swamp Forest in the Belait District. – PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX COBB, SMART UNDER BRUNEI HOB PROJECT Photos top, above and below show species of animals found within the Peat Swamp Forest by the project team led by Jonathan Davies and Zuraidah Abd Kamis during a joint Brunei HoB Project (BSP and WI) Heart of Borneo Corridor Initiative: A gift to the world Posted date: August 23, 2015 | Mahmud Yussof, CEO of Heart of Borneo Centre &  Head of Biodiversity Research and Innovation Centre | DESPITE the world’s third largest island being situated between the Indo-Pacific Basin and Malaysia, evidently, Borneo Island still holds the world’s richest biodiversity hotspot. Its tropical rainforest – straddles from north to south in what is known as the Heart of Borneo (HoB) area – is the world’s oldest tropical rainforest ecosystem, with its evolution estimated to have started as early as 130 million years ago. According to WWF

Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam at the Bersanding ceremony. – PHOTOS: AZARAIMY HH Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam accompanied by Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah, Her Roy-al Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Am-bassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Babu Raja Pengiran Anak Hajah Besar binti Pengiran Anak Haji Metassan at the ceremony Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji

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, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah at the get-together in Bandar Seri Begawan Posted date: August 24, 2015 | Khal Baharulalam | THOUSANDS of people from all walks of life converged on Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien yesterday for the get-together ceremony marking the 69th birthday celebration 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 in the Brunei-Muara District. Also in attendance yesterday were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Pri

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 Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office are greeted by Brunei-Muara District residents during the royal get-together. – DEAN KASSIM Brunei-Muara’s fitting finale Posted date: August 24, 2015 | Khal Baharulalam | BRUNEI-MUARA District witnessed a spectacular display of love and loyalty as thousands thronged the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday to greet 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 during His Majesty’s traditional meet-the-people programme in conjunction with the monarch’s 69th birthday celebration. Ecstatic schoolchildren

Following a spate of retirements and minor changes, here is the most up to date current list of Permanent Secretaries and Deputies in Brunei Darussalam: Permanent Secretaries Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Dato Paduka Haji Hamdan bin Abu Bakar (Security and Enforcement) Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Roselan bin Haji Mohd Daud (Penggerak Unit) Yahya bin Haji Idris (Corporate Affairs and Civil Service) Dato Paduka Haji Jamain bin Haji Julaihi (Energy Division) Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman (International, R&D, Economy and Finance) Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos (Media and Cabinet) Dato Paduka Haji Joanda HA Rashid (Law and Welfare) Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar Ministry of Finance (MOF) Dato Paduka Haji Hisham bin Haji Hanifah Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohammad Eddie bin Dato Paduka Haji Sunny Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi Dato Paduka Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma

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. – PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM, AZROL AZMI & FAZA SURAJ 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, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik during the get-together in the Belait District Students and residents of Belait District waving the national flag as His Majesty’s convoy passes 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, His Royal Highness Princ

Waiting for the Sungai Baram ferry in 1969 Posing for a photo on the ferry ride to Sungai Baram in 1970 The muddy road from Sungai Teraban heading to the Sungai Tujuh Control Post PHOTOS: Haji Mohd Daud Abd Rahman Gruelling journey to Miri back in the 70s Posted date: August 22, 2015 | Haji Mohd Daud Abd Rahman | A road trip to neighbouring Miri back in the 1970s was considered a rough and a difficult journey. The bus was the only means of transportation if one was to decide on a trip to Miri as the roads were still considered risky if travelling by one’s own vehicle. The writer remembered departing from Bandar Brunei as early as 6am to catch the chartered bus heading to Kuala Belait and would only reach the latter at around 9am. After a quick breakfast, everyone would be ushered to a bus belonging to ‘Syarikat Bas Berlima Brunei & Miri’. The journey to Miri would start by riding on the Sungai Teraban ferry heading towards the Sungai Tujoh Contro

Sultan celebrates with Temburong residents Posted date: August 21, 2015 | Achong Tanjong | THE royal get-together between 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 the residents of the Temburong District took place yesterday at the field of the community hall complex in Pekan Bangar in conjunction with the monarch’s 69th birthday celebration. His Majesty was greeted by crowds comprising residents, school children and foreigners working in the country, upon his arrival via helicopter at 10.30am. People also flocked to the area to watch performances involving 369 participants that were based on a theme of education throughout the years in the Sultanate from the 1960’s until current times. Some 40 people representing their respective ethnic groups – Malay, Murut, Tiong Hwa and Iban – were dressed in their traditional att

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 Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, are greeted by residents during the get-together in Pekan Bangar, Temburong District. – BAHYIAH BAKIR Green Jewel comes alive as thousands greet Sultan Posted date: August 21, 2015 | Azlan Othman | THE atmosphere was exuberant in the Temburong District as the “Green Jewel” of Brunei Darussalam welcomed its beloved ruler yesterday. People from all walks of life in their thousands assembled at the Civic Hall Complex in Pekan Bangar to convey their greetings to 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 during the monarch’s traditional me

AK MD KHAIRUDDIN PG HARUN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN Wednesday, August 19, 2015 HER Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha last night graced the Majlis Berbedak dan Berinai or Powdering Ceremony for Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Mujaabah Safaaul Bulqiah Pengiran Anak Hj Tahiruddin and Amirul Zahrein Lt Col (Rtd) Hj Ahmad. The powdering ceremony took place at Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Amal Rakiah’s residence at Chateau AR in Beribi, Gadong. YAM Pg Anak Mujaabah is the eldest daughter of HRH Princess Hjh Amal Rakiah. The ceremony began with the arrival of Her Majesty and followed by four Awang-Awang lighting the dian empat, or a set of candles. YAM Pg Anak Mujaabah was accompanied by a group of girls carrying flowers and a woman bringing a candle when she entered the hall. During the powdering ceremony, Her Majesty applied coloured powder and scented oil onto the palms of the 36-year-old bride. Other royal family members then followed suit. Also present a