Month: June 2021

Eleven babies were born on the 31st of May 2021 in conjunction with the Diamond Jubilee anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, RBAF. Of the total, ten of them were born at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital and a baby was born at the Jerudong Park Medical Centre, JPMC. The Gifts Presentation Ceremony for the babies was held at the Women and Children Centre, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, yesterday morning.

 

Presenting the gifts was Datin Doctor Dayang Hajah Anita Binurul Zahrina binti Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, wife of the Commander of the RBAF. Each baby received gifts from the RBAF, RBAF Wives Welfare Body, BAKTI and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Cooperative, Kowira.

 

Meanwhile at the JPMC, gifts were presented by Dayang Ummisyafinah binti Haji Zaini, wife of the Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

It is with pride that the formation of the Defence Academy of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, RBAF has produced professional young leaders of caliber. Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Retired Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud, Former Commander of the RBAF said at the age of 60, RBAF has realised various important moments of development, which covers Human Resource Development, capability, defence diplomacy cooperation and involvement in regional and international operations. Leading the RBAF from 1985 to 1990, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin when interviewed by RTB said he saw the formation of the RBAF Defence Academy as a great success.

 

Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Retired Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad Bin Haji Daud, Former Commander of the RBAF said with regards to the international recognition of the RBAF’s capabilities, he is pleased to note that when he became the Commander of the RBAF about 30 years ago, the Armed Forces did not have the capability to train its officers and staff in Brunei other than basic trainings. Over the past 10 years, the RBAF has successfully formed an institution, namely the Defence Academy.

 

Another Former RBAF Commander who led the RBAF from 2014 to 2018 shared three key points in supporting good human resource management in the RBAF. According to Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Retired Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Tawih Bin Abdullah, firstly, the  recruitment process or procedure selection for prospective personnel is very stringent, with high conditions, namely in terms of physical and mental aspects. Secondly, the RBAF trainings are very challenging, which aim to produce robust, professional, integrity, versatile and adaptable personnel who can work in any situation and thirdly is the welfare aspect especially in terms of job satisfaction, as it is also known that the task of RBAF personnel is very challenging.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

As an initiative to support the efforts of the Department of Islamic Studies through the At-Tatweer Programme, Religious Schools Division; the Department of Islamic Studies is implementing the Tahsin Qira’atil Quran Programme for Religious School Teachers starting in 2021. The launching was held yesterday morning at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Girls’ Secondary Arabic Religious School, Kampung Katok.

 

The programme was launched by Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam, Acting Director of Islamic Studies, Ministry Of Religious Affairs. The programme aims to improve the knowledge and skills of teachers in reading the Qur’an, especially in terms of fashahah, makhraj of letters and the laws of tahwid as well as improve the quality of Al-Quran reading to be implemented into teaching and learning among teachers through a planned staff development programme.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Tutong District Former Government Officers and Staff Association, PAKATAN, yesterday MORNING held a Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration. The PAKATAN Silaturrahim and Aidil Fitri celebration was held at The Lanes Hotel, Tutong Town.

 

Present was Awang Ajmin bin Haji Meludin, Acting Tutong District Officer. The ceremony coincided with the presentation of donations for the Tutong District Orphans Fund handed over by Awang Haji Ibrahim bin Haji Abd Manaf, President of PAKATAN. It is hoped that the event will strengthen relations and increase goodwill among its members to further enliven the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Brunei History Centre continues to design and implement various relevant initiatives to boost enthusiasm and awareness on the importance of history among the citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam. The effort was made to achieve the target set by the Brunei History Centre to become the Centre of Excellence in History and the Sultanate of Brunei in 2023. The matter was voiced by Doctor Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports at the Opening Ceremony of the Writing and Drawing of Brunei History Pictorial Story Workshop. The ceremony took place yesterday morning at the Centre in the Capital.

 

Doctor Siti Norkhalbi said history plays a vital role for the citizens to draft and implement the vision to develop the country and instil patriotism. Historical knowledge should also be possessed by society at all levels to cultivate understanding and appreciation to defend the sovereignty and nation.

 

47 participants attended the four-day workshop guided by two facilitators in the field of writing and drawing. This year’s workshop is the second of its kind and was also an ongoing project of the Brunei History Centre to highlight more local writers and artists who are able to produce Brunei history books in the form of quality pictorial stories.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Royal Thai Embassy organised a Blood Donation Drive yesterday as part of the efforts to support the Blood Donation Centre, Ministry of Health for reliable blood supply during emergency situations. The Blood Donation Drive was held for the Thai community in Brunei Darussalam and ‘Friends of Thailand’ and took place at the Blood Donation Centre.

 

Present was Her Excellency Wanthanee Viputwongsakul, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to Brunei Darussalam. The blood donation drive was the fourth of its kind organised by the Royal Thai Embassy following encouraging response from the Thai community in the country.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

The Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition, MYCE 2021 raised its curtain yesterday with a forum on Waqaf or Endowment Empowerment towards the Country’s Well-Being, organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs as co-organiser of the Brunei MYCE 2021. The virtual forum took place yesterday morning at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

 

In attendance were Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs and Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism. Also present, Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom Bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs.

 

Three panellists from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Indonesia were involved in the forum. Awang Haji Abdul Aziz Bin Haji Akop, Acting Secretary of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council discussed policies and regulations that control endowment in the country. He said that endowments are an ongoing charity, in which the reward will be given to the donor continuously as long as the endowment still exists even though the donor has passed away.

 

Meanwhile, Yang Berbahagia Doctor Mohd Faisal Mustafa, Head Operations Officer of Kedah Zakat School Management Board, Malaysia, and Associate Doctor Syamsu Madyan, Postgraduate Programme, Universitas Islam Malang, UNISMA, Indonesia, shared on endowment management institutions or agencies that can be found in each country, and types of endowment that are developed inline with Maqasid Syariah.

 

The event coincided with the launching of the ‘Heart of Islam’ exhibition by the Minister of Religious Affairs and Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism. The exhibition focuses on Islamic themes organised by Cityneon Displays and Construction Sendirian Berhad. This was followed by the launching of the 4th Series of the Brunei Unified Campaign, MYCE 2021 which runs throughout the month of June conducted by Qudoz Management. The exhibition which is open until the 6th of June 2021 is joined by several government and private agencies, banks as well as Datastream Digital or DST Sendirian Berhad as the event’s Telco Partner. A number of activities have been lined up such as the Azan Subuh competition and the Al-Fatihah Clinic. Brunei MYCE 2021 is an initiative by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism to attract Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events or MICE market. For more information, visit the Brunei tourism website.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Finals of the National Musabaqah Al-Quran Reading for Adults for 1442 Hijrah/2021 will be held for 3 consecutive nights from the 8th to the 10th of June 2021 starting at 7:30 in the evening. With the theme ‘Al-Quran Asas Da  Pemangkin Pembangunan Negara’ or Al-Quran the Basis and Catalyst of National Development, the Musabaqah will take place at the Plenary Hall, International Convention Centre, featuring 6 Qari and 6 Qariah.

 

The Ministry of Religious Affairs in its press release explained that in together controlling and curbing the COVID-19 transmission in the country, guests are required to adhere to the guidelines while attending the event such as using the BruHealth application to obtain the Green or Yellow code; scan the QR code; wear face mask; and take body temperature check.

 

Guests are also required to sanitise their hands using hand sanitisers; perform ablution from home, not encouraged to shake hands; and leave as soon as the event ends. Only individuals with Green or Yellow code will be allowed to attend. Those with symptoms such as fever, coughs, cold, respiratory problems and others are not allowed to attend.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

A total of 52,775 doses of COVID-19 vaccine has been administered since the implementation of the National Vaccination Programme for COVID-19 on the 3rd of March 2021. Out of the figure, 4,689 senior citizens have received their COVID-19 vaccination shots since the opening of slots for senior citizens aged 60 years and above on the 22nd of April. The oldest individual so far that has received a COVID-19 vaccination shot is a 96-year old local woman.

 

Scientific studies show the elderly are at a higher risk of getting more severe complications from COVID-19 infection, and COVID-19 vaccine injections have been shown to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in the elderly. Therefore, the Ministry of Health very much welcomes and gives priority to senior citizens to get the COVID-19 vaccine injection.

 

Senior citizens are advised to reserve a COVID-19 vaccine injection slot through the BruHealth App to avoid long waiting time. Slots for walk-ins are still available in limited numbers, and senior citizens are also provided with a special space to register for the COVID-19 vaccination. Those intending to get the COVID-19 vaccine injection are required to wear face masks, practice social distancing while queuing and follow the instructions given by officers and staff working at vaccination centers. For more information, the public can visit the Ministry of Health’s website or contact the 148 Health Advice Line during office hours.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Five outstanding students were awarded the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship for 2021. The five students were awarded the scholarships with the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. Four of the students have completed their A-Levels from Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan, while one was a former student of Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah. The five recipients will be pursuing their bachelor’s degree studies.

 

Present was Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Second Minister of Defence. Signing on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the RBAF was Major General Udara Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, Commander of the RBAF. Awang Abdurraziq bin Abdul Aziz will pursue his education in Mechanical Engineering; Awang Richmon Lee Edward will continue his studies in Dentistry/Dental Surgery; Dayangku Fathiyah Amanina@Dayangku Hanan Syafiqah binti Pengiran Roslan will be pursuing a course in Laws with Honours with Bar Professional Training; Dayang Nur Alya Irdina binti Awang Harun will study Counselling/Psychology; and Dayang Syasya Athirah binti Baharulnizam will pursue her degree in Medicine and Surgery. The ceremony was held at the Tarindak D’Seni, Bandar Seri Begawan, yesterday.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

With the consent 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 would to like to inform on updates to the Exit-Travel Application Guidelines regarding an additional condition for outbound travellers to obtain mandatory injections of the COVID-19 vaccination, which will come into effect starting 1st August 2021 as follows:

 

 

 

Citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam applying for exit-travel applications from the Prime Minister’s Office to exit the country for the purpose of, Working abroad; Transport Operators; Foreign workers who wish to return to their country of origin for the purpose of mandatory contract leave, and will return to Brunei Darussalam on a valid employment pass or dependent’s pass; Business; and other essential travels. The outbound travellers who wish to exit the country from the effective date onwards are required to obtain mandatory injections of the COVID-19 vaccination by booking their respective vaccination slots through the BruHealth application in advance prior to visiting any vaccination centre designated by the Ministry of Health.

 

 

 

However, the outbound travellers are reminded that their exit-travel applications will not be granted automatically even after they have obtained the mandatory vaccination, as every exit-travel application is subject to evaluation and approval from the Prime Minister’s Office as per the guidelines issued before. Meanwhile, all inbound travellers who will return to Brunei Darussalam from any foreign airports will be required to undergo mandatory self-isolation at respective hotel accommodation for a period as determined by the Ministry of Health’s risk assessment.

 

 

 

For further information and details, visit the Prime Minister’s Office website at www.pmo.gov.bn/travelportal for the most updated entry measures, or contact travel hotline at 120 during working hours or via e-mail at travelapplication@jpm.gov.bn.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei