The Daily Brunei Resources

Deputy permanent secretary appointed October 26, 2017 BY COMMAND 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, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that His Majesty has consented to the appointment of Hajah Mardiana binti Haji Omar, Acting Director, Department of Politics I, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The date of appointment is effective today. +++++ PERMANENT SECRETARIES Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Dato Paduka Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman (Economy and Finance) Dato Paduka Haji Joanda HA Rashid (Law and Welfare) Pengiran Datin Shazainah bte Pg Dato Paduka Shariffudin (International)* Md Riza bin Dato Paduka Hj Md Yunos (Media and Cabinet) Haji Md Azmi bin Haji Hanifah (Industry) Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohammad (Corporate Affairs and

His Majesty launches Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas October 23, 2017 | Hakim Hayat | CITIZENS and residents from all four districts descended on the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday, to witness yet another historic event to mark the Golden Jubilee 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’s Accession to the Throne. One of the main highlights of the month-long Golden Jubilee Celebration – the Junjung Kasih and Kesyukuran ceremony and official launching of the newly-completed Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas – saw thousands of people from all walks of life flocking the capital to express their undivided loyalty and gratitude on the occasion of His Majesty’s 50-year reign, which has brought about peace and prosperity to Brunei. His Majesty’s arrival to the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in the heart of the capit

Brunei Int’l Airport 20th best in Asia October 20, 2017 | Hakim Hayat | BRUNEI International Airport has been ranked among the top 25 best airports in Asia in a survey report released by international travel website Sleeping in Airports recently. The country’s main gateway which completed a B$130-million modernisation project at the end of 2014 was ranked in the 20th place in the 2017 survey. The Brunei International Airport was not ranked in the previous year’s edition of the survey. Singapore’s Changi Airport remains Asia’s best, followed by Seoul Incheon International Airport in South Korea, Tokyo Haneda International Airport in Japan, Hong Kong International Airport, and Tokyo Narita International Airport in Japan. The survey took into account overall experience for travellers including comfort (gate seating and availability of rest zones), services, facilities and things to do, food options, immigration/security, customer service, cleanliness, navigation and ease of tr

Marina Chek binti Haji Bujang, the Acting Senior Special Duties Officer (Professional) at the Department of Schools of the Ministry of Education, in a group photo with Awang Semaun Secondary School officials and the three writers – Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos, a well-known local writer; Nellie binti Dato Paduka Haji Sunny, President of the Brunei Darussalam Library Association (BLA); and Kamarul Dzaman Ajimain of GeekInWhite.com Local trio shares stories of inspiration October 20, 2017 | James Kon | TO CELEBRATE World Reading Day and foster interest in reading and writing, Awang Semaun Secondary School on Wednesday invited three prominent figures from the local literary community to share inspiring stories with its Year 9 students. The speakers for the sharing session – organised by the literacy committee of the school and held at the school library – were Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos, a well-known local writer; Nellie binti

UBD provides a supportive and conducive environment for academics and students to enable and enhance the teaching and learning as well as research activities The Centre for Advanced Materials and Energy Sciences (CAMES) provides a platform for researchers from various fields to come together to conceptualise ideas and find solutions to problems pertaining to energy and advanced materials, collaborating closely with government and private agencies as well as local industries. – PHOTOS: UBD As researchers, both academics and students encounter novel solutions that can have massive impact globally. The 36 PhD graduates this year is a testament to growing interest in research among Bruneians and the trust from international students in UBD’s infrastructure, facilities, expertise and support as they pursue an even deeper understanding of their fields Mega Leap: UBD ranked 105 in QS Asian Ranking October 18, 2017 UNIVERSITI Brunei Darussalam (UBD) is now ranked 105

Call for action plan in tune with economic situation October 17, 2017 | Azlan Othman | 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 Chancellor of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) urged the Islamic varsity to prepare a plan of action that is in line with the uncertain economic situation. Delivering a titah at 7th Convocation ceremony (Hafl Al-Takharruj) yesterday at the International Convention Centre in Berakas, the monarch welcomed UNISSA’s initiatives in improving the quality of study, research and governance as well as offering of new programmes and courses. “I am optimistic about these developments which will make UNISSA more potent to attract more students from within and outside the country, and a hub of Islamic learning centre in the region. “These initiatives will undoubtedly open-up wider op

Kedudukan Islam yang sentiasa terpelihara di mana raja adalah sebagai ketua agama dan ketua negara seperti yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Dalam lima dekad pemerintahan KDYMM, kedudukan agama Islam semakin bertambah kukuh sebagai tunggak dalam pemerintahan beraja di bumi Brunei Darussalam. Raja dan ulama dipisah tiada October 16, 2017 Oleh Dr. Muhammad Hadi Bin Muhammad Melayong, Pejabat Sekretariat Majlis Tertinggi, Melayu Islam Beraja MELAYU Islam dan Beraja adalah tiga entiti mantap yang diamalkan turun temurun dan diabadikan di dalam Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei 1959 pindaan 20014 dan 2008 yang menjamin dan mengekalkan tradisi sistem institusi beraja yang telah berpasak sekian lama di bumi Brunei Darussalam. Ketiga-ketiga komponen ini saling berkait rapat dan berpisah tiada dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat dan bernegara. Inilah gambaran sebenar kehidupan yang diwarisi sekian lama di mana syiar Islam dijaga dan dipelihara berdasarkan kepada peme

New bridge a boon to business, commuters October 16, 2017 | Rokiah Mahmud | THE newly-opened Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge is expected to generate multiple spinoffs to bolster businesses in Brunei Darussalam besides easing commu-tation to the capital from Mukim Lumapas. Till now the commuters had to travel at least 30 kilometres either via Jalan Bengkurong-Masin to Jalan Tutong – or take alternative routes to reach their workplaces or send their children to school. During peak hours, the travelling time can take at least 40 minutes to one hour. The 750-metre long new bridge, constructed at a cost of B$139 million, reduces travelling time and also offers vast socio-economic development in the surrounding areas with better transportation and accessibility. Haji Abu Bakar bin Mansor, Penghulu of Mukim Lumapas and a former Legislative Council member said that the completion of the bridge was one of the most awaited projects by many, especially the residents of Mu

Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge inaugurated October 15, 2017 | Hakim Hayat | TENS of thousands of people converged in the Capital last evening to witness the opening of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge, yet another milestone in the five decades 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’s reign. The opening of the 750-metre bridge, the Sultanate’s first cable-stayed bridge that links the capital to Kampong Sungai Kebun in Mukim Lumapas presented a grand spectacle which saw the Brunei River, home to the iconic Kampong Ayer, transform into a sea of colours with a decorated floats and boats procession and a spectacular fireworks display that illuminated the new bridge. People from all walks of life came in droves and lined the banks of the Brunei River to witness the much-anticipa

Brunei among toppers in human development October 14, 2017 | Azlan Othman | BRUNEI Darussalam is among the eight economies in Asia and Pacific with a “very high” level of human development, according to the 2017 edition of Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific. The key indicators present the latest statistics on a comprehensive set of economic, financial, social, environmental, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators for the 48 regional members of the Asian Development Bank. Besides Brunei, the other top tier economies include Australia, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and Singapore. The ADB report has lauded the Sultanate’s initiatives for education and health development as well as environment protection. The report indicated that the proportion of trained teachers in upper secondary education who have received at least the minimum organised teacher training exceeds 90 per cent in 10 out of 15 member economies,

His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, and Her Royal Highness Princess Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, taking part in a game of ‘congkak’ The Earl and Countess of Wessex watching a ketupat making demonstration Walking through Kampong Peramu in Kampong Ayer Their Royal Highnesses look at prawn crackers being dried in the sun UK royal couple dazzled by Kampong Ayer charms October 10, 2017 THE scenic beauty combined with the thriving life of the iconic water village in Brunei enchanted the UK royal couple who are currently on a visit to the Abode of Peace. His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, and Her Royal Highness Princess Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, recently paid a visit to Kampong Ayer, one of Brunei’s oldest cultural heritage sites and one of the world’s largest water villages. The Earl and Countess of Wessex were received by Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the M

The coronation of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien III, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in Bandar Brunei in 1951 The coronation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in 1968 Catalysing independent Malay Islamic Monarchy October 9, 2017 by Dr Muhammad Hadi Md Melayong, Senior Special Duties Officer, Secretariat Office, MIB Supreme Council, UBD AFTER the failure of the youth movement known as Barisan Pemuda (BARIP) and several local organisations that fought for the independence of Brunei from British Protection especially after the end of World War II, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddien strived to negotiate directly with the Secretary of State at the Colonial Office, in London about the political future of Brunei. However, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin’s entourage also encountered a failure. A telegram received by Pengiran Bendahara Permaisuara Pengiran Muda Omar ‘Ali Sa