Category: General

The Hoisting and Distribution ceremony of Brunei Darussalam’s flag in conjunction with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan  of Brunei Darussalam’s 75th Birthday Celebration was also held simultaneously at all districts yesterday morning.

 

In the Brunei Muara District, the Flag Presentation was held at the car park area of Brunei Muara District Office. The national flag was handed over by Dayang Doctor Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak, Permanent Secretary for Planning, Land Use and Environment at the Ministry of Development. Also present were the Brunei Muara District Officer and Members of the Legislative Council.

 

For Belait District, such a ceremony was held at the Menara Cendera Kenangan in Kuala Belait. The national flag was handed over by Dayang Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. Also present were Members of the Legislative Council.

 

In the Tutong District, the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex became the focal point for such a ceremony. The National Flag was handed over by Awang Mohammed Riza Bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Yunos, Permanent Secretary for Civil Service, Welfare, International and Media at the Prime Minister’s Office. Also present were Members of the Legislative Council.

 

While in the Temburong District, the National Flag Hoisting was held at the Wharf Area of Bangar Town. The national flag was presented by Awang Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health. Also present were Members of the Legislative Council.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Mr. Kin Moy co-hosted with Cambodia the first annual Mekong-U.S. Partnership Senior Officials’ Meeting on June 29, while the ASEAN Secretariat joined the meeting as an observer, according to a press release from U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh issued yesterday.

Senior Bureau Official Moy emphasised that the United States is committed to a secure, prosperous, and open Mekong sub-region, which is vital to the health of ASEAN and its people. He highlighted the importance of ASEAN centrality to the U.S. vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific and U.S. support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. The United States government has committed US$4.3 billion in grant assistance to the Mekong sub-region since 2009.

The six Partnership countries discussed progress on improving COVID-19 response and health security; delivering sustainable infrastructure development, including through the Japan-U.S.-Mekong Power Partnership; empowering human capital and building the foundations for a Mekong digital economy; promoting women’s economic empowerment; advancing sustainable water, natural resource management, and environmental protection; and combating non-traditional security threats, including human, wildlife, timber, narcotics, and weapons trafficking.

Senior Bureau Official Moy urged partners to take immediate action to hold the Burmese military accountable to the ASEAN five-point consensus. He called for joint action to press the Burmese military to end the violence, release those unjustly detained, and restore Burma to the path of democracy.

The Mekong-U.S. Partnership includes the United States, Cambodia, the Lao PDR, Burma, Thailand, and Vietnam. Partners work closely on sustainable development with the Friends of the Mekong group, which in addition to the United States and Mekong countries includes Australia, the European Union, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Mekong River Commission Secretariat.

 

 

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

 

The hoisting of the Brunei Darussalam’s Giant-sized Flag marks the start of the nationwide national flag hoisting in conjunction with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 75th birthday celebration. The hoisting of the Giant-sized National Flag in conjunction with His Majesty’s Birthday celebration was held yesterday morning at the open area of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital.

 

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs as Chairman of the Celebration’s Executive Committee handed over the 3.7 metre TIMES 7.5 metre Brunei Darussalam’s giant-sized flag to  be hoisted.

 

The Minister of Home Affairs also handed over the 2.5 metre times 1.2 metre national flag and Posters in conjunction with His Majesty’s 75th Birthday Celebration to Awang Misle bin Haji Abd Karim, Brunei Muara District Officer; Awang Ramlee bin Haji Jamudin, Belait District Officer; Awang Ajmin bin Haji Meludin, Acting Tutong District Officer and Pengiran Muhammad Ameer Mubaarak bin Pengiran Haji Hashim, Acting Temburong District Officer. The giant-sized national flag will continue to fly proudly in the capital until the 31st of July 2021.

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

 

​The cooperation, compassion and solidarity shown by the people of Brunei Darussalam played a big role in a collective effort in mitigating the impacts of COVID-19, such as volunteer work, especially among the youth under the Youth Volunteer Ad-Hoc Committee, the financial contribution by the public under the COVID-19 Relief Fund, the adoption of the BruHealth app and many others, demonstrates the willingness of our people to unite and work together for the betterment of the community.

 

Under the steady guidance of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, various initiatives were also undertaken at the height of the pandemic, which can broadly be categorised into three focus areas, which are: to maintain the well-being of the public, to protect jobs and provide support for individuals, and to support and assist businesses. This was highlighted by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy at Borneo Bulletin Yearbook Networking Session 2021, yesterday afternoon.

 

Carrying the theme ‘Looking Ahead, A Nation United’, the yearbook highlights insights into the initiatives implemented by the government to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 also marks a momentous year for Brunei Darussalam as it takes over the ASEAN chairmanship, providing an opportunity to further foster cooperation and unity around the region.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

 

 

 

Awang Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, stressed that the public need to be aware and practise preventive and control measures to reduce the risk of infection and the spread of COVID-19.

 

Awang Haji Maswadi said that the Ministry of Health informs that only guests and the public who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to attend the royal birthday events such as the Parade Ceremony at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien, The Audience and Investiture Ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman and the Get-Together with the Citizens in the four districts. Those on duty with check the vaccination status of those attending through the BruHealth application on the respective mobile phones or vaccination booklets issued after receiving their vaccinations.

 

Awang Haji Mohammad Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs touched on the S.O.P’s for the Kesyukuran Ceremony, Mass Fardu Maghrib and Isyak prayers, reading of surah Yassin, tahlil and doa kesyukuran in conjunction with the celebration. Guests and the public are requested to adhere to the stipulated standard operating procedure, including scanning the QR code, performing ablution before going to the mosque, wear face masks, bringing along and using their personal large sized prayer mat, performing temperature checks, use hand sanitisers, adhere to social distancing measures and not to shake hands.

 

Meanwhile, Dato Paduka Awang Razali bin Haji Badar, Senior Assistant of Yang Di-Pertua Adat Istiadat Negara urged guests attending the Parade Ceremony as well as Audience and Investiture Ceremony to confirm their attendance to the Department of Adat Istiadat Negara Secretariat.

 

Senior Superintendent Pengiran Haji Abdul Salam bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Ghani, Acting Director of Investigation and Traffic Control Department, Royal Brunei Police Force, stressed for the public to obey the instructions from the on-duty police personnel directing traffic for the smooth running of the events held.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

 

​According to the Minister of Home Affairs, the Get Together Ceremony and Junjung Ziarah with citizens and residents will be held in the following districts:

 

On Sunday, the 25th of July 2021, the ceremony will takes place at the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex Field starting at 8:30 in the morning.  On Tuesday, the 27th of July 2021 will be held at the Pekan Bangar Civic Centre Complex Field, Temburong District starting at 8.30 in the morning.

 

On Sunday, the 1st of August 2021, it will take place at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in Bandar Seri Begawan starting at 7:00 in the morning.  On Tuesday, the 3rd of August 2021, will be held at the Padang Bandaran Kuala Belait starting at 8.30 in the morning. Invited guests who will attend the Get-Together Ceremony and Junjung Ziarah are advised to adhere to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines related to measures in curbing the spread of COVID-19, safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures, SOP for the get-together and junjung ziarah ceremony.

 

Meanwhile, the giant-sized national flag lowering ceremony will be held on Saturday, the 31st of July 2021 at 2 in the afternoon at the open area of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in Bandar Seri Begawan.

 

The side events such as Evening Festive Events and Festive Stalls will be held in the four districts from Thursday, the 15th of July 2021 until the 3rd of August 2021 at the following places:-

 

For Brunei Muara District, at the Open Area in front of the Royal Regalia Museum, Bandar Seri Begawan; for Belait District it will be held at the Gerai Tudong Saji area.

 

For Tutong District, it will be held at an Open Area in front of Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital, Tutong; and For Temburong District will takes place at the Taman Perayaan Area, Bangar Town. In this regard, the public are welcomed to attend and enliven the side events such as evening festive events and festive stalls in conjunction with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 75th Birthday Celebration for this year in compliance with the advice and Standard Operating Procedures, SOP of the Ministry of Health.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

 

 

By the 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 National Committee for His Majesty’s 75th Birthday Celebration this year has arranged various celebration events in the new normal by adhering to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines related to measures in curbing the spread of COVID-19, safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures, SOP’s for the main celebratory and festive events. This was stated by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs as the Chairman of the National Committee for His Majesty’s 75th Birthday Celebration in a media conference yesterday afternoon.

 

The Giant-Sized National flag Hoisting Ceremony will be held today, the 1st of July 2021 at 8 in the morning at the open area of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital. Meanwhile, the Mass Fardhu Maghrib and Isyak Prayers, Reading of Surah Yaasin, Tahlil and Doa Kesyukuran will be held on Wednesday, the 14th of July 2021 at all mosques, suraus and religious halls nationwide with the focus at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampung Kiarong from 5:45 in the afternoon. In this regard, muslim government officers and staff as well as the public are welcomed to attend the ceremony. The traditional Grand Royal Birthday Parade at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in the capital will be held on the 15th of July starting at 7:20 in the morning. The traditional Parade was followed by the Audience and Investiture Ceremony at the Balai Singgahsana, Istana Nurul Iman.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

 

 

The ASEAN region, last week, recorded the highest daily number of COVID-19 related deaths, in several months, although the number of new infections has declined slightly.

Brunei Darussalam recorded the lowest number of cases in the region.

The Nation, Thailand, reported the number of COVID-19 cases in ASEAN had surpassed 4.69 million with 91,051 deaths.

Brunei recorded 259 cases in total as of yesterday, with the last local transmission reported on May 6, 2020. The number of imported cases stand at 118.

A total of 76,471 individuals have been inoculated under the National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, as of Jun 26, with 63,432 having received their first dose, and 13,039 their second.

Brunei-Muara District recorded the highest number of vaccination (50,749), followed by Belait District (10,608), Tutong District (10,115) and Temburong District (4,999).–

 

 

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

 

 

GENEVA – The World Health Organization has certified China, the most populous country in the world, as malaria-free.

It has taken China seven decades to reach this milestone. The country has gone from 30 million cases of malaria in the 1940s to zero cases today.

Director of the World Health Organization’s Global Malaria Program Pedro Alonso tells VOA the achievement should act as an inspiration to other malaria endemic countries around the world.

“China, that at one point had 30 million cases of malaria every year and I would place that country among the top two burdened countries in the world can actually drive down malaria and get rid of this scourge of mankind,” Alonso said.

China is the first country in the WHO Western Pacific Region to be awarded a malaria-free certification in more than three decades. Other countries in the region that have achieved that status include Australia, Singapore, and Brunei.

Globally, 40 countries and territories have been declared malaria-free. The most recent include El Salvador, Algeria, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uzbekistan.

Eliminating malaria is a long, complex process involving many factors. Alonso says economic development, improvement in peoples’ living conditions and the implementation of measures aimed at preventing, controlling, and treating malaria are critical for success.

“Vector control mostly through insecticide-treated bed nets will for the years to come remain the backbone of our prevention efforts. Artemisinin combination therapies will remain the backbone of our treatment efforts,” Alonso said.

The WHO estimates there are still 229 million new cases of malaria annually, leading to more than 400,000 deaths. Africa is home to 94 percent of those cases and deaths.

Alonso says the mosquito in Africa is very effective in the transmission of malaria. This he says is one of the many reasons why it is particularly challenging to rid the continent of the disease.

“And of course, all of this is compounded by lack of economic and social development, difficulties in communication, poverty, housing, lack of electricity. So, it is a compounded effect. It is where China was 60 years ago…and, we are having a lot of difficulty, even to maintain the gains achieved over the last 20 years,” Alonso said.

While substantial progress in the prevention and control of malaria is possible with today’s available tools, Alonso says only a highly effective vaccine can eradicate the disease.

The WHO malaria chief says he is cautiously optimistic that such a vaccine is on the horizon. He notes a pilot project to develop the world’s first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, in three countries in sub-Saharan Africa, has been shown to provide partial protection against malaria in young children.

He says the vaccine, which was introduced in 2019, is likely not to be the hoped-for game changer everyone seeks. But he adds it is a very good start.

 

 

Source: Voice of America

The European Union will add Azerbaijan to the list of countries from which travel to Europe is allowed in connection with COVID-19 infection, Trend reports referring to the foreign media.

The governments of the EU member states have agreed to add 11 new countries to the list of countries from which non-essential trips will be allowed.

The ambassadors of 27 EU countries approved the amendments at a meeting on June 30 and the changes will take effect in the coming days.

Thus, 11 countries were added to the list, namely, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Jordan, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Armenia.

 

 

Source: TREND News Agency

 

​A house at Kampung Pekilong Muara has collapsed last night. In the incident, an occupant was reported to have been slightly injured and received medical treatment from paramedics on-site, while other occupants are well.

 

According to the Fire and Rescue Department, the emergency call was received around 9:19 at night. 4 fire personnel from Sungai Kebun Fire Station were rushed to the scene. The department advises members of the public to ensure their residences are in accordance with the safety standard.

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

The book on Brunei Darussalam recorded in 1924 worth more than $3,000 among the nearly one thousand collections currently on display and for sale during the ‘Antique and Collectible Sale’. The book becomes the attraction for collectors of antique items as well as book lovers to get it.

 

According to the owner, the book written by the foreign author is very special because there are only five manuscripts in the world. He added that the book titled ‘On the fringe of the Eastern Sea’ was the first written about Brunei.

 

With the collection covering antiques including hand-carved wooden backpack and manual ice machine, up to cookbooks, comics, cassettes and children’s toys from the time of the owner’s ancestors are on sale. Most of the items belong to the family and also from auctions as well as from abroad. Also of interest to collectors are the Brunei currency known as pitis and also antique letters during the Second World War. Comic books and old newspapers are also among those offered at reasonable prices according to their value. Members of the public can get such items by visiting the ‘Antique and Collectible Sale’ which is held until tomorrow from 8.30 in the morning to 6.30 in the afternoon. The ‘Antique and Collectible Sale’ is located in Kampung Mata-Mata, Gadong.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei