Brunei News Gazette

 

The Youth Development Centre, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports held a Solat Hajat and Doa Kesyukuran ceremony in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee celebration of its establishment at Jalan Utama Tanah Jambu. The ceremony took place at the Kampung Salambigar Mosque.

 

Present was Yang Berhormat Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Minister Of Culture, Youth And Sports. The ceremony began with the mass Maghrib prayer, reading of Surah Yasin and tahlil followed by doa kesyukuran. The centre celebrated its 25-year establishment on 2nd of June.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

 

A fair competitive market provides an opportunity for consumers, regardless of business size, to grow. Awareness and compliance with the Competition Order is crucial towards achieving a fair market that can benefit consumers in the long term, while improving consumer well-being. The Executive Secretariat, Brunei Darussalam Competition Commission, CCBD, emphasized the matter in a Dialogue Session with the market businesses, recently.

 

Also emphasized was the importance of having an awareness of the Competition Order taking into account, traders in the market also offer important services to the community. One of the main objectives of the Dialogue Session is to highlight the importance and benefits of complying with the Competition Order as well as the main prohibitions that have been enforced, namely the prohibition on agreements between two or more traders to set prices, limit supply, make deals collectively, and divide the market. The session also discussed methods of tracking Anti-Competition Agreements, CARTELS. Under Chapter 44, the Competition Order provides for the Relaxation Programme, which is a programme that provides incentives to traders involved in cartel practices to come forward and provide information on such prohibited practices and cooperate fully with CCBD, in exchange for immunity from penalties.

 

Further information on the Competition Order and Relaxation Programme can be obtained through www.ccbd.gov.bn. Also held were interactive discussions covered matters related to the behaviour of traders in the domestic market and policies to promote competition in the market.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

Towards increasing knowledge in sign language, the Basic Sign Language Workshop Phase Two for 2021 has been held since the 15th of June. The workshop ended yesterday afternoon with the presentation of certificates to participants.

 

Certificates were handed over by Dayang Saidah binti Haji Wahid, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Community at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The workshop which is an extension of the Basic Sign Language Workshop Phase One was organized in collaboration with the People with Different Abilities, OKU Division, Department of Community Development, JAPEM and the Association of the Hearing Impaired, OKP. The participants comprised the government and private sectors, volunteers, individuals, as well as the OKU individual’s guardians and parents.

 

Members of the public wishing to participate in the Sign Language workshop can contact the People with Different Abilities Division at 2330315 or email, pusatbahagia@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The importance of always referring to the most important resources in life, namely the Al-Qur’an and Sunnah, understanding the content and practicing what is contained in it are among the must-haves in a Daie. The matter was among the contents of the workshop presented by the Ra’es of Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College, KUPU SB during the Closing Ceremony of KUPU SB’s Workshop on Strengthening Da’wah, yesterday morning. The function jointly organized by KUPU SB, through the Faculty of Usuluddin and the Islamic Da’wah Center took place at the Tarbiah Hall of the University College.

 

Doctor Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar in his workshop presentation entitled ‘Meningkatkan kemahiran dakwah relevan dengan perkembangan semasa’ or ‘Improving da’wah skills relevant to current developments’ also touched on issues in society that need to be focused in da’wah as well as suggestions for effective da’wah approaches.

 

Earlier, Awang Haji Ahmad Abdussalam bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Senior Religious Officer of the Islamic Da’wah Center explained that the workshop, which included da’wah technology, Da’wah in media and contemporary thought streams, was hoped to empower the Da’ie participating in the workshop. The ceremony coincided with the presentation of certificates to the workshop participants.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

The United Kingdom appreciates the strong support of Brunei Darussalam to become a dialogue partner of ASEAN. His Excellency John Virgoe, the British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam described Brunei Darussalam as a close friend in the region.

 

His Excellency stated the matter at the ‘Queen’s Birthday Party’ reception to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second’s 95th Birthday Anniversary. His Excellency outlined that the bilateral friendship is very relevant to the people of Brunei Darussalam especially to the younger generation to work together to tackle climate change and other global issues. Also present were a number of cabinet ministers.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

 

In conjunction with the Digital Technology week at the Mid-Year Conference Exhibition, MYCE 2021, Dynamik Technologies in collaboration with OutSystems, a global software development company pioneering low-code organised a Low-Code Jumpstart competition. The event was held yesterday afternoon at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

 

Low-Code is a software development approach that requires little or no-coding in producing applications and processes. The competition is aimed to raise awareness on the potential for low-code development in the country. With low-code, complex business mobile apps and web services can quickly be transformed and adapted to deliver interactive digital experiences in line with business needs.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Brunei ICT Awards Alumni will be part of the future journey of BICTA which is to be an active player in supporting digital transformation in Brunei Darussalam. The initiatives by the BICTA Alumni, such as through business as well as networking events and activities will create a more vibrant and conducive environment for BICTA participants to progress further in line with the vision of the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025 that is Smart Nation through Digital Transformation.

 

Speaking at the launching of the BICTA Alumni held yesterday afternoon at the International Convention Centre, in Berakas, Awang Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and InfoCommunications as the First Co-Chairman of the BICTA Steering Committee also explained that BICTA has also been leveraged upon by passionate and visionary entrepreneurs to put forward their ideas for transformation from prototypes to commercial and sustainable products.

Present was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Awang Mohammad Yusof, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications. The first BICTA Alumni event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, AITI and IFB and held during the Digital Technology Week of the Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition, MYCE 2021. Registration can be made via the BICTA website www.bicta.gov.bn.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

In line with the fourth industrial revolution, the field of biotechnology is also the key to the post-COVID 19 economic recovery efforts. Science, Technology and Innovation are the key in ensuring the long-term success of COVID-19 vaccination and recovery strategies. This was among the matters stated by the Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, at the 11^th ASEAN Informal Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation, IAMMSTI-11 via video conference.

 

On the cooperation to address the COVID-19 epidemic, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Awang Mohammad Yusof, also shared that the COVID-19 impact has given Brunei Darussalam the opportunity to push the digital and Innovation agenda forward as well as the acceleration of the dissemination of digital services in an effort to increase response and recovery from the effects of COVID-19. Yang Berhormat also supported project proposals from ASEAN Member States in the fields that can contribute towards strengthening regional resilience and preparedness for COVID-19.

 

The meeting which was chaired by His Excellency Dr. Anek Laothamatas, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Thailand, also discussed the report of the 79th meeting of the Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, COSTI-79 which was agreed by the members of IAMMSTI.

 

The COSTI-79 meeting was held on the 15th and 16th of June 2021. Attending the meeting was Awang Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications as the Chairman of Brunei Darussalam for ASEAN COSTI.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

The Public Service landscape is transforming regionally and internationally. In facing the rapid progress and development, it is imperative for the Public Service to take transformative and modernisation measures and be future ready. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office explained the matter during the Public Service Department, JPA Roadshow, in Tutong District, yesterday morning. The roadshow was held at the Main Hall, of the Tutong Civic Centre Complex.

 

Yang Berhormat said that one of the identified challenges in Public Service is focusing on efforts in human resources management through a manual process transformation to the Sistem Sumber Manusia or Human Resource System. The step that needs to be taken is to rethink the human resource management strategy and it is hoped that with the Human Resource System, SSM, conducted by the Public Service Department as a Fiscal Consolidation Project with the Ministry of Finance and Economy, can overcome these challenges. Another dynamic challenge in the Public Service is to review the talent management at all levels of the Public Service in an effort to achieve more sustainable and resilient planning, management and development of human resources.

 

Roadshows and exhibitions organized by JPA are used as a platform to share the Department’s new strategic plan, namely the Public Service Department Strategic Plan 2021 to 2025 which was first implemented this year as well as JPA’s continuous efforts to improve Public Service excellence.

 

Several briefings were also provided such as on matters of Discipline, Leaves, Transfers, Counselling as well as the Human Resource System which was launched last May. The briefing session provides an opportunity for civil servants to discuss together through several consultation sessions. A series of similar roadshows will also be held in the Brunei Muara District in conjunction with the JPA Golden Jubilee celebration on the 1st of July. Also present were Members of the Legislative Council.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

In an effort to provide information on the COVID-19 vaccine to the target group for Phase 2, namely teachers and those at risk, the Islamic Studies Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs, yesterday morning held a Vaccination Briefing for the officers of the department. The briefing took place at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic School in Kampung Rimba.

 

504 people attended the briefing which was delivered by two officials from the Ministry of Health. The briefing involved Arabic school principals, headmasters and head religious teachers of the Islamic Religious Knowledge Division. Teachers are the frontliners tasked with protecting children under the age of 18 who cannot receive the vaccine.

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

​Yesterday, 15th June, concludes the three-day appeal hearing lodged by the Public Prosecutor and First Defendant, Ramzidah binti Pehin Datu Kesuma Diraja Retired Colonel Hj Abdul Rahman, as well as Hj Nabil Daraina bin Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin, Second Defendant in the Court of Appeal. The hearing was held before the Honourable President of the Court of Appeal Michael Peter Burrel, Judicial Commissioners Justice Conrad Seagroatt and Michael Victor Lunn.

 

After a trial in the High Court between September and November 2019, the First Defendant was convicted of criminal breach of trust and money laundering offences. She was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by the Honourable Judicial Commissioner Lugar-Mawson. Meanwhile, the Second Defendant was convicted of three money laundering charges and sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment. However, he was acquitted on two money laundering charges.

 

Arguments were put forth by the Public Prosecutor for the sentences imposed on the Defendants to be enhanced and also for the acquittal of the Second Defendant on two money laundering charges to be overturned. On behalf of the Defendants, arguments were made for the Defendants’ convictions to be quashed and also for the Second Defendant’s sentence to be reduced.

 

The Court of Appeal’s decision will be delivered by Wednesday, the 7th of July 2021. The Public Prosecutor was represented by Dato Seri Setia Davinder Singh S.C appearing by teleconference from Singapore and assisted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Hjh Suriana Hj Radin, Dk Didi-Nuraza Pg Hj Abdul Latiff and Muhammad Qamarul Affyian bin Abdul Rahman who appeared in the Brunei Darussalam Court. Counsel from Davinder Singh Chambers LLC, Navin Thevar, David Fong, Tan Ruo Yu and Srruthi Ilankathir were also assisting. Simon Farrell QC, who represented both the Defendants, was assisted by Sheikh Noordin bin Sheikh Mohammad.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

 

​Brunei Darussalam implements various ways in the national development plan that target the involvement of the relevant ministries. Yang Berhormat Dayang Nik Hafimi binti Abdul Haadii, Member of the Legislative Council shared the status of the implementation of the 41st AIPA resolution which was approved last year during the ASEAN 12th Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, AIPA CAUCUS. The virtual meeting was hosted by the Parliament of Singapore and attended by 9 AIPA member countries. The meeting took place at the Dewan Majlis Building.

 

During the assembly, AIPA members discussed the issue on “Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience and Enhancing Trade Connectivity”. Yang Berhormat Awang Ong Tiong Oh, a Member of the Legislative Council in his statement underlined, the importance of Brunei Darussalam in constantly developing and diversifying the country’s economy not to depend on oil and gas, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic which forced the country to produce sufficient staple food domestically using efficient technology and at the same time opening up new business opportunities in developing a green economy.

 

On the discussion of the issue, Yang Berhormat Dayang Nik Hafimi issued a statement on the importance of ASEAN standard integration to focus on cross-border supply chains including data exchange and procurement which needs to be improved especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time meeting unanimously approved the Official Report of the 12th AIPA CAUCUS Assembly. The report will then be discussed for approval during the 42nd ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, AIPA to be hosted by the Legislative Council Meeting in August 2021 which will be held virtually.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei