Day: August 30, 2021

The Royal Brunei Police Force is seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of a woman who has run away from home.

The local woman is Norliza Binti Idris aged 25, holding smart card number 01-079588.  The public can contact Lamunin Police Station, Tutong Police District at 4237374 and police hotline 993 or any nearby police stations.

Meanwhile, the Royal Brunei Police Force is also seeking the public’s help in tracing the whereabouts of two employees who have run away from their employer. Eko Widodo, a 33 year old Indonesian, holding passport number B6975648 and 48 year old Indian national, Balamugugan Muthusamy, holding passport number U0011568. Any information on them can be directed to the Sengkurong Police Station through telephone number 2661334 and police hotline 993 or any nearby police stations.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

In view of the current COVID-19 situation, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam BIBD informs that the operation hours for several of its branches will begin from 9 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon from Monday to Thursday and from 9 in the morning until 12 noon on Friday. These changes are effective from yesterday until the 3rd of September 2021 and may be revised according to the development of the COVID-19 situation in the country.

The respective branches are the Headquarters Branch in the capital, Serusop, Manggis, Mentiri, Tanjung Bunut, Tutong, Kuala Belait and Temburong Branches as well as BIBD Securities in Kiulap. During these adjusted working hours, all teller and concierge services are available at the Headquarters Branch as well as Manggis, Tanjung Bunut , Tutong and Temburong Branches. However, only cash withdrawal services are available at the Serusop and Kuala Belait Branches.

For Kiulap Branch, all teller and concierge services will only be available from the 1st of September onwards. However financing services are available from yesterday. Financing services are available by appointment only at the Headquarters Branch, Kiulap, Serusop, Mentiri, Rimba, Tanjung Bunut and Tutong Branches.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Public Works Department, Ministry of Development has informed the public that several areas in Brunei Muara District are current experiencing yellowish water supply. The quality of the Tutong River raw water for the past few days has been inconsistent, containing a high level Colour Unit or high or dark colour.  The change of raw water quality stems from prolonged rain in the current season that causes organic matters and soil flowing into the downstream areas through surface-runoff causing higher minerals and organic contents.

The Public Works Department has increased efforts to address the water discolouration issue by carrying out various operations. Members of the public with house tanks and water filters are advised to ensure the equipment are always clean and to boil the water first before consuming it. Contact Talian Darussalam 123 for clean water supply by tankers or for any complaints.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The weather in Brunei Darussalam is expected to be active until end of this week especially on the 31st of August, 1st and 3rd of September 2021 due to the combination of local wind effects with wind convergence close to the country. This situation will cause active development of rain clouds resulting in the increase of rainfall amount.

Coastal showers and thundershowers over the inland areas are expected in the afternoon, moving out towards the sea at night. Occasional rainy condition is expected to persist until morning. Rain can be heavy at times with wind gust reaching up to 45 kilometres per hour. Over Brunei waters, sea state is expected to reach one metre during showers. Members of the public are advised to take note of the high risk of flash floods especially at low-lying and flood prone areas during heavy showers or thundershowers as well as the risk of falling trees during gusty condition. Public, road users and fisherman are advised to always be up to date with the latest weather forecast, advisory and warning issued by Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department. For the latest weather information, contact Weather Line 114, by visit the website at www.met.gov.bn or follow Facebook and Instagram @bruneiweather.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Community Welfare Council, MKM continued its relief mission to the COVID-19 Isolation Centre at the National Service Programme, PKBN Camp, in Temburong District.

The donations in form of food were presented by Doktor Kamariah binti Haji Abu Salim, MKM’s Treasurer to Awang Haji Wafi bin Mohammad, the centre’s representative.

The relief mission was also assisted by Dayang Natasha Halim, Youthwing MKM’s representative.

The donations were collected from the public to help the frontliners and COVID-19 patients at the centre.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The youth volunteer’s involvement and activities to assist frontliners in curbing COVID-19 in the country is highly appreciated, and their deeds will surely become an oral tradition for generations to come.

To become a volunteer, one must have the right attitude, view and social commitment along with basic knowledge and skills on volunteer works. Volunteers must also be willing to sacrifice to serve the country, especially when the country needs the people to work together in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. Various benefits and advantages can be obtained through volunteerism.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Universiti Teknologi Brunei, UTB Library has a modest collection of over 50 thousand volumes of books including those categorised as gifts, and approximately one thousand units of Media Collection. UTB’s Vice Chancellor in an interview with RTB stated that the university has acquired two online databases that gives the staff and students access to e-journals and books subscribed by UTB. Professor Doctor Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman shared these during the virtual launching of Bangabandhu-Bangladesh Corner.

Professor Doctor Dayang Hajah Zohrah also explained that even with the availability of campus-wide wifi and online resources, the library remains an important part of student life on campus and continues to attract more than 30 thousand visitors each year except during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Her Excellency Madam Nahida Rahman Shumona, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Brunei Darussalam in her remarks said that Bangabandhu-Bangladesh Corner houses a collection of 23 books towards promoting a greater understanding on the Bangladesh Culture and nation.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

An online briefing on the Old Age Pensions and Disability Allowance, Amendment Act, 2021 and the Persons with Disabilities Order, 2021 continued yesterday with organizations and non-governmental organizations of persons with different abilities.

The briefing was chaired by Dayang Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari, Permanent Secretary Community and Culture, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. It aimed to provide more detailed understanding to persons of different abilities on the Old Age Pensions           and Disability Allowance Act, 2021         and the Persons with Disabilities Order, 2021, in particular benefits such as allowances and laws that will provide protection from abuse and neglect.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Fourth ASEAN Smart Cities Network, ASCN, officially convened on the 30th of August 2021, via video conferencing, and was attended by National Representatives of ASEAN Member States, Chief Smart City Officers of member cities, ASCN Shepherd as well as senior officials from ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting was chaired by Awang Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, in his capacity as Chair of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network, ASCN 2021 and National Representative of Brunei Darussalam to ASCN.

The Meeting, among others, discussed the development of an ASCN Online Portal as well as the development of an ASEAN Smart and Sustainable City Investment Toolkit that is targeted to be finalised by September 2021. The Meeting also reviewed the progress, challenges, and way forward of the ASCN Smart City Action Plans of the 26 member cities. This includes an updated of Kampong Ayer Revitalisation Project and Clean Water River Management Project by Awang Aminuddin bin Buntar, Acting Chairman of Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department as the Chief Smart City Officer of Bandar Seri Begawan under Brunei Darussalam.

The progress and development made with regards to smart city cooperation with the Dialogue Partner and External Partner were also briefed during the Meeting. The meeting agreed for Singapore to renew its tenure as ASCN Shepherd to provide advice and support to the ASCN Chair in line with the terms of reference, for the next two years. The ASCN was established in April 2018 at the 32nd ASEAN Summit in Singapore. It currently has 26 member cities from the ten ASEAN Member States, one of which is Bandar Seri Begawan. The ASCN meet annually to discuss progress on each city’s action plan, launch new projects, and explore new opportunities with ASEAN’s external partners.

Source: Radio Television Brunei