SPECIAL facilities for twin or velodrome cycling are still in the planning stage, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin said yesterday.
The minister was responding to a question by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Haji Ramli bin Haji Lahit, on whether there were any plans to organise velodrome racing and also boost the sport of cycling in Brunei.
Reflecting on the performance of Brunei’s national cycling team during the 2017 SEA Games, the minister noted that their level was still far from competition level.
However, he acknowledged the positive developments made by Bruneian cyclists during regional road and mountain biking events.
“As such, our ministry is giving priority in intensifying these two types of cycling sports in a more competitive way, compared to cycling races,” the minister said.
He also announced that several competitions will be held this year, as competitive platforms for the national cycling team, including the annual ‘Brunei Classic’ for local and international cyclists.
EVERY child has the right to survive, grow and be protected from all forms of violence hence all children have the right to be respected for their human dignity, physical and psychological integrity and to equal protection as stated in the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
This was highlighted yesterday by Brunei Darussalam Commissioner to ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) Dato Paduka Dr Haji Junaidi bin Haji Abdul Rahman at the National Consultation for the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Children (ASEAN RPA on EVAC) .
“The convention specifies that it is the obligation of the state parties to address and eliminate the widespread prevalence and incidence of violence against children,” he added.
At the ACWC meeting in July 2011, it identified EVAC as one of the priority areas in its 2012-2016 ACWC Work Plan and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women and EVAC was then adopted by the ASEAN leaders in 2013 where the declaration tasked ACWC to promote the implementation of the declaration.
The following year in 2014, ACWC endorsed the proposal to develop the ASEAN RPA on EVAC at the 10th meeting in Myanmar, said Dato Paduka Dr Haji Junaidi.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil and Dato Paduka Dr Haji Junaidi with facilitator Dr Victor Karunan and Child Protection Chief of UNICEF Malaysia Sarah Norton-Staal. – PHOTOS: LYNA MOHAMAD
He added that the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) is an important sectoral body which oversees the welfare and development of children in ASEAN. All activities undertaken under the ASEAN cooperation on social welfare and development come under the purview of SOMSWD.
SOMSWD and ACWC have been working closely including working jointly in the formulation of the ASEAN RPA on EVAC and on this note he extended appreciation to Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil for her unwavering support for ACWC, particularly ACWC Brunei Darussalam.
Yesterday’s national consultation for the MTR, gathers a number of major players relating to their roles and support in eliminating violence against children in Brunei Darussalam.
He added that the one-day workshop style consultation largely focussed on the implementation of the eight regional plan of actions, namely Prevention; Protection, Responses and Support Services; Legal Framework, Prosecution and Justice System; Capacity Building; Research and Data Collection; Management, Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation; Partnership and Collaboration; and Regional Review and Communication.
“Aside from fulfilling the requirements of the MTR as a member state of ASEAN, I personally feel that by reflecting on the progress made to date on the implementation of EVAC nationally, we could perhaps celebrate our successes, or perhaps identify gaps and challenges in our collective effort to move forward.”
Dato Paduka Dr Haji Junaidi expressed confidence that by end of the day they will all be able to play their roles in contributing to the preparation of the MTR progress report for Brunei Darussalam and thanked UNICEF for supporting this activity with the presence and involvement of facilitator Dr Victor Karunan.
Dr Victor Karunan has worked with the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for over 16 years.
His postings with UNICEF are as Regional Advisor on Participation and Partnerships at UNICEF Regional Office in Bangkok, Chief of Adolescent Development and Participation in UNICEF Headquarters in New York and as Deputy Representative and Senior Social Policy Specialist in UNICEF Malaysia.
THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) will support and assist the growth of eSports, and welcomes the establishment of a national eSports association to lead the development of the sport.
This was shared by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin. He was responding to a question from Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Iswandy bin Ahmad during the 15th LegCo meeting yesterday.
At the meeting, Yang Berhormat Iswandy said, “The growth of electronic sports – better known as eSports – cannot be denied.
“In terms of economic contribution, in 2018 some countries in Southeast Asia earned USD3.1 billion.
“In the field of professional sport, the upcoming SEA Games 2019 will be hosting eSports. Even at the Brunei December Festival, local youth showed their skills in eSports.”
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
“As a result of this, I think that eSports has potential that must be given a special approach.”
The LegCo member asked what support is given from the MCYS to develop eSports.
Responding, the minister noted that eSports involves well-organised competitive gaming among professionals using an online platform with massive, global participation.
“Hence, it has very good potential to generate high income,” he said.
He also noted that in Brunei Darussalam, eSports has a place among youth, where some youth groups have been actively participating in eSports tournaments inside and outside the country, and that eSports activities have been organised by youth since as early as 2011.
“MCYS always encourages various types of sports in this country, including eSports,” he affirmed.
“We see positive developments in the organising of eSports in the country by the private sector,” said the minister.
Sharing an example, he mentioned that during the Youth Entrepreneurship Week at the Youth Centre on March 15-17, eSports were among the activities that took place.
He also noted the Cyber Games Tournament 2018 that took place during the Brunei Technology Expo (TechXpo).
He said that, as a step forward, “The MCYS welcomes the establishment of an eSports association that will be a leader in the development of this sport, and I also understand that an application has already been made to establish a national sports association for eSports.
“I also want to share that, although eSports has not yet been officially registered, we have already supported eSports during the Hyperplay 2018 ASEAN eSports Festival held from July 27 to August 6, 2018 in Singapore, as we sent eight athletes to the tournament as Brunei Darussalam’s representatives under an ASEAN initiative, where the ministry provided financial assistance for the expenses of the delegation.”
“The ministry will support and assist the growth of eSports,” he highlighted, noting that eSports will be one of the competitions to be included at the upcoming SEA Games.
“So we hope that eSports participants will set up a registered association,” he added.
THE Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF, Koku-Jieitai) Multi-purpose support aircraft (U-4) is scheduled to visit the Rimba Air Base, Brunei International Airport today for ascertaining flight routes and regional characteristics in the areas of Asia, and improving the ability of transport aircraft operating personnel to perform missions outside Japan.
Among the scheduled destinations include Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh/Socialist Republic of Vietnam), Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (Hambantota/Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka) and Brunei International Airport.
The participating unit is Air Support Command 2nd Tactical Airlift Wing U-4 with 10 people.
Japan Air Self-Defense Force Multi-purpose support aircraft (U-4). – EMBASSY OF JAPAN
MINISTER of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong in response to a question on public entertainment said all organisers are required to comply with guidelines set down by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA).
This includes organising entertainment events in areas that are at least 139 metres away from mosques, suraus and prayer halls.
The minister added that event organisers would need to take note of certain dates on which public entertainment are not allowed, particularly the entire months of Rejab, Syaaban and Ramadhan, as well as the first seven days of Syawal, the first 10 days of Muharram, and the first 15 days of Zulhijjah.
“Public entertainment is not allowed on Fridays, whether in the daytime or at night,” he said. “If any scheduling conflicts do occur, then the organisers will be asked to change the dates or the structure of their performances. All inappropriate forms of entertainment are also not allowed.”
To date, the Public Entertainment and Publication Control Division under MoHA has received five applications that were advised to undergo changes in terms of scheduling and presentation.
Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
A 2017 LABOUR force study carried out by the Department of Economic Planning and Development under the Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry showed that the number of foreign workers in the country had dropped from 52,161 in 2014 to 47,490 in 2017, which is a decrease of 4,671 persons, said Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Mohd Hussein.
He was responding to a question raised by Legislative Council (LegCo) member and Penghulu of Mukim Tanjong Maya Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Wahab bin Apong on employment opportunities for locals.
The minister added that out of the 24,433 jobseekers registered with JobCentre Brunei in 2018, 9,841 (40 per cent) have been identified as having no previous work experience, while the remainder were already employed but eager to explore new jobs.
In 2018, as many as 2,764 job vacancies were filled through JobCentre Brunei, with 1,905 (69 per cent) going to those with ‘O’ Level qualifications; 447 (16 per cent) to Diploma holders; 180 (six per cent) to university graduates; 132 (five per cent) to those with ‘A’ Level qualifications; and 100 (four per cent) to HND holders.
In December 2018, 1,990 graduates participated in i-Ready Apprenticeship programme.
Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Mohd Hussein. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
On employment opportunities for locals, the minister said, “This matter needs to be addressed in a holistic approach, which includes several factors not limited to limiting foreign workers.
“It covers broader issues that need to be considered in a holistic plan, based on providing jobs for skilled, competent and employable people; the continuous development of the economy to generate employment opportunities; the preparation of policies, legal framework and incentive schemes to make sure that locals will be given encouragement and priority in the job market; and lastly, monitoring and dissemination so that all stakeholders are on the same direction in implementing planned programmes, and with increased transparency in information to ensure that planning and initiatives are always relevant to current developments.
“Based on the employer’s census of 2016, most foreign workers are in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, accommodation, and goods and services activities, as well as wholesale and retail. In addition, there is also a dependence on professionals in various sectors at the supervisory levels and above, as sometimes there are not enough local workers with the required skills and experience for the positions.”
Despite the dependence on foreign workers in certain sectors, he said, “This should not go on forever; it should be addressed in stages, by carrying out training and the upgrading of skills, as well as the ability to provide local employment to fill in the positions, so that the agenda for national interests such as agriculture will not be adversely affected.
“Therefore, systematic succession planning is the approach in addressing the issue in the long term as well as empowering locals to be the main choice of employers.”
The minister highlighted the Bruneianisation Directive introduced on June 21, 2018, for major oil and gas companies operating in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.
This move was intended to encourage the companies to increase their intake of local workers in all levels through succession planning and the upgrading of skills systematically, until 90 per cent of jobs are occupied by locals.
He also outlined the achievements of the Directive in ensuring the participation of locals in leading oil and gas sectors; maximising employment opportunities for locals on all levels; producing locals who are competent in various fields, including management; and maintaining capable local employees to ensure the continuous development of the country’s oil and gas industry.
Beside this, he said, “With the increase of locals in management positions, it is hoped that the management sector will also take into serious account the welfare and recruitment of locals. Insya Allah, the Bruneianisation Directive will be extended to other sectors. This matter is in discussion with the relevant parties, so that it can be carried out smoothly according to the status of each sector.”
He also pointed out that “The preparation of programmes to equip locals with the implemented, especially for sectors that still have a high number of foreign workers. This will require close cooperation between private sectors, educational institution and the government.
“Therefore, programmes that meet the needs of the industries are being reviewed by the Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry, the Ministry of Education, Institute of Brunei Technical Education, and higher educational institutions with relevant parties from the private sector.”
KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP) – Missouri Governor Mike Parson declared a state of emergency on Thursday following flooding that left several people stranded and continues to cause damage and strain levees in several Midwest states.
Parson’s action will allow state agencies to work directly with local officials responding to flooding. Parson, along with the state’s Emergency Management Agency director and other officials, plan to meet with local leaders and survey damage.
“The rising floodwaters are affecting more Missouri communities and farms, closing more roads and threatening levees, water treatment plants and other critical infrastructure,” Parson said in a statement. “We will continue to work closely with our local partners to assess needs and provide resources to help as Missourians continue this flood fight and as we work to assist one another.” The Missouri River has swelled following heavy rains and snowmelt earlier this month.
The flooding has claimed three lives, damaged thousands of homes and busted about 20 levees in Nebraska,Iowa and Missouri.
President Donald Trump on Thursday also approved Nebraska’s request for federal disaster assistance, which provides federal aid to supplement state, local and tribal recovery efforts.
A house is surrounded by floodwater in Atchison, Kansas. – AFP
TWO Bruneian women were among the 11 recipients of the Southeast Asia Woman of the Future Awards held in Singapore on Thursday night.
Najaa Halbi won the award for the Professions category for her role as a Petroleum Engineer and the Planning Manager for East Asset Brunei Shell Petroleum and achievements in her 10 years in the Upstream business.
Sharing the limelight was Supna Rania Karwanamurthi who won the award for the Entrepreneur category for her role as the co-founder and Managing Director of Flux OS Sdn Bhd and her aspirations to be the leading well servicing and drilling company in the region.
The inaugural award ceremony aims to build a platform to showcase regional emerging leaders, who are tomorrow’s game-changers, disrupting stereotypes and driving positive impactful change.
Another Bruneian finalist was Dr Noor Affizan binti Rahman, a consultant ophthalmologist at the Ministry of Health.
The Woman of the Future programme is supported by the United Kingdom (UK) Government and HRH The Countess of Wessex as their Global Ambassador.
The other winners in their award categories are: Arts & Culture: Rozella Mahjhrin, Singer and Songwriter, Rozella Music (Malaysia); Business: Dr Theingi Win, Founder and CEO, Global Assistant Co (Myanmar); Community Spirit and Public Service: Aye Thiri Kyaw, Writer and Senior National Coordinator Officer, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Myanmar), Media and Communications: Thinzar Shunlei Yi, Youth Advocate and TV Host, Under 30 Dialogue TV Show (Myanmar); Professions: Dr Hwei Wuen Chan, Doctor, National University Hospital, Singapore (Malaysia); Property, Infrastructure and Construction: Josephine Lee, Director, Regional Business Development, Knight Frank (Singapore); Science, Technology and Digital: Dr Jasy Liew Suet Yan, Senior Lecturer, Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysia); Social Entrepreneur: Kunthear Mov, Co-founder and Managing Director, Dorsu (Cambodia) and Mentor: Ana Margarita Hontiveros, Programmes Head for Bangsamoro Region, Philippine Centre for Entrepreneurship and GoNegosyo.
Najaa Halbi and Supna Rania Karwanamurthi, recipients of Women of the Future Awards 2019 in a group photo with finalist Dr Noor Affizan binti Rahman. – BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER
TIJUANA, Mexico (AFP) – United States (US) Border Patrol agents on Thursday fired tear gas at Central American migrants attempting to cross the border from the Mexican city of Tijuana, AFP journalists saw.
A group of migrants, including children, used an improvised rope to try to scale fencing installed on the beach between Tijuana and San Diego, California – but were forced back with tear gas, which agents had not deployed since January 1.
An AFP journalist witnessed only one migrant cross the border, where he was immediately detained. It marked the third time in a week that a group of Central Americans had tried to cross the border to ask for asylum on the grounds their lives were threatened by violence at home.
On the first occasion, a week ago, around 50 people made it across, with about 10 more crossing on Tuesday. All were detained by authorities.
“Someone brought them here, they train them because they know that upon crossing they must ask for asylum and that way they won’t be deported and they have to be processed according to US laws,” said one Tijuana policeman, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak.
Central American migrants sit above the US-Mexico border fence as a Border Patrol agent stands guard in Baja California state, Mexico. – AFP
QAF Auto, the sole importer of BMW in Brunei Darussalam officially welcomed the 2019 BMW 3 Series Sedan last night to its customers and car enthusiasts in the Sultanate.
Attending the launching event at Indera Samudra Grand Hall were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Muqtadir, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Wadood Bolkiah bin Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz, Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Amalin A’Ishah Putri binti Sultan Ismail Petra and Pengiran Wajeeh Al-Bolkiah bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad Hakimmuddin.
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Brunei Darussalam Peter Wolff, QAF Group CEO Albert Lau, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia Christoper Wehner and QAF Auto General Manager Sivakumar Krishnan were also present.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Sivakumar Krishnan who cited the success story of the mid-size luxury sedan, in front of previous models of the BMW 3 Series on display.
The all-new BMW 3 series is a sedan that represents not only the core of the BMW 3 Series range, of which over 15 million units have now been sold worldwide since 1975, but also the heartbeat of the BMW brand.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Muqtadir, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Wadood Bolkiah bin Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz, Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Amalin A’Ishah Putri binti Sultan Ismail Petra and Pengiran Wajeeh Al-Bolkiah bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad Hakimmuddin at the eventYang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Muqtadir, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Wadood Bolkiah bin Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz, Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Amalin A’Ishah Putri binti Sultan Ismail Petra, Pengiran Wajeeh Al-Bolkiah bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad Hakimmuddin, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Brunei Darussalam Peter Wolff, QAF Group CEO Albert Lau, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia Christoper Wehner and QAF Auto General Manager Sivakumar Krishnan during the launch of the new BMW 3 Series. – PHOTOS: MUIZ MATDANI
Meanwhile, Christoper Wehner also took the floor to highlight some of the new features and facts about the all-new BMW.
The seventh generation of the hugely successful BMW 3 Series range, the new 3 Series Sedan is set to dominate the premium mid-size luxury car market.
The latest edition to QAF Auto’s range of BMW vehicles, the sedan combines enhanced sporting prowess with a refined interior ambience, eye-catching design and state-of the-art driver assistance, control and connectivity technologies.
The 330i is powered by a new 2.0-litre, 258 horsepower, turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.
Among notable features of the luxury mid-size sedan include a sharper driving dynamic thanks to an upgraded chassis, new damper technology, stiffer body structure, low centre of gravity and even 50-50 weight distribution, high-performance and comfortable experience for both driver and passenger alike.
The striking design come from the full LED headlights, along with stylishly darkened rear LED lights, with additional extra including Adaptive LED headlights with BMW’s non-dazzling technology.
The premium characteristics of the all-new BMW 3 Series can be further enhanced with the M Sport package which helps to provide targetted individualisation. BMW’s latest iDrive 7.0 infotainment system is accessed through a new 10.3-inch touchscreen display, which comes paired with a 12.4-inch digital cockpit, a first for the 3 series.
For a more premium characteristics of the all-new BMW 3 Series, QAF Auto will also bring in the M Sport variant.
The all-new BMW 3 Series is now available for viewing at the QAF Auto showroom.
NEW DELHI (AFP) – Indian emergency workers yesterday rescued a man more than 62 hours after he became trapped under the debris of a collapsed building that killed at least 17 people, officials told AFP.
Emergency workers were searching for 10 more survivors four days after the five-storey building in southern Karnataka state caved in, officials said.
A video of the rescue operation shared by head of the state’s fire and emergency services M N Reddi showed over a dozen personnel cheering on as the man was pulled out alive from the rubble.
The man had no visible injuries and was hugged by the rescue team before he walked away from the debris and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
As many as 54 people have been rescued alive by the team of around 400 who have been scouring through tonnes of concrete and steel after the latest tragedy on Tuesday.
National Disaster Response Force personnel search for survivors a day after an under-construction multi-storey building collapsed in Dharwad district of Karnataka, situated about 700 kilometres north of Bangalore. – AFP
“Those rescued have been shifted to the hospital and five persons have been arrested in the matter,” emergency official Srikant, who goes by one name, told AFP.
Police have charged the owner of the construction company – one of the five arrested – with manslaughter.
Building collapses are frequent in India. Many firms use cheap materials and bribe officials to evade regulations, while on-site safety is lax.
Heavy earth-movers and rescuers with specialised equipment and sniffer dogs were deployed in the increasingly desperate operation.
The victims were mostly from northern Indian states who came to the region for work.
HIS Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah participated in the activities of the annual Book Week celebrated in Jerudong International School (JIS) recently.
Highlighting the importance of books, reading and writing, JIS had a number of exciting activities planned throughout the week, including special lectures by invited authors, a Skype session for Year 7 students with British novelist Julia Golding and discussions with this year’s Book Week guest, award-winning author and Everest Summiteer Matt Dickinson.
“When I look back at my Everest experiences, the adventurers I’ve worked with, one thing becomes very clear. People I worked with and the people I love to be with, they are people who have pretty crazy dreams. I like that, I think it’s pretty interesting,” said Dickinson.
At his lunchtime lecture, Matt Dickinson explained, “The more adventure you put into your life, the more successful you’ll be in any part of your life, because you’ll learn more about yourself, you will have the ability to test yourself, push yourself a little bit out of your comfort zone and that will help you to gain confidence in every single field.”
Meanwhile, Head of English Faculty at JIS Juliet Cooke said, “While students study books throughout the year at JIS, Book Week is an essential opportunity to bring books alive and see writers in action.
ABOVE & BELOW: His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah participated in the activities of the annual Book Week celebrated in Jerudong International School (JIS) recently. A week highlighting the importance of books, reading and writing, JIS had a number of exciting activities planned throughout the week, including special lectures by invited authors, a Skype session for Year 7 students with British novelist, Julia Golding and discussions with this year’s Book Week guest, award-winning author and Everest Summiteer, Matt Dickinson. – PHOTOS: FIZAH HAB
“Our visiting authors inspire our young people to use their imagination and creativity in their own writing and develop a lifelong love of reading.” Prior to Book Week, Junior and Senior students read relevant books in preparation for the visiting authors they are meeting in Book Week.
“This year, JIS Junior School welcomed award-winning storyteller, Roger Jenkins, who shares predominantly Asian tales to young readers from a wide range of ages from the Reception class up to Year 4.”
International award-winning storyteller, Jenkins said, “By choosing age-appropriate stories, making them very interactive, the kids get to participate and enjoy that.
“What I really enjoyed is that it’s very intimate, telling stories in the library, I can really have the question and answer response,” said Jenkins.
Head of Libraries at JIS Karli Downey added, “Book Week is the showcase event for the Library and English faculties.
“It allows the whole school to highlight the importance of reading in a fun and imaginative way and really gets the whole community thinking and discussing books they have read, or on their wish list to read.
“It was wonderful to witness some incredibly creative costumes from our students.”
CANBERRA (AP) — Two powerful cyclones are blowing towards Australia’s sparsely populated north where around 2,000 people have been evacuated from the east coast of the Northern Territory ahead of strong winds, mountainous waves and flooding rain.
Cyclones are frequent in Australia’s tropical north and rarely claim lives. But two such large storms as Cyclones Trevor and Veronica crossing land on the same weekend is rare.
Trevor is expected to cross the east shore of the Northern Territory on Saturday morning as a Category 4 storm. It had sustained winds of 130 kilometres per hour (kph) with gusts to 185 kph yesterday afternoon. Gusts of 275 kph are expected around the eye when the cyclone makes landfall, Bureau of Meteorology manager Todd Smith said yesterday.
The Northern Territory communities nearest the expected landfall were evacuated on Thursday, most of the 2,000 or so residents going by road or defence cargo planes to the provincial capital, Darwin. Many also went to the inland city of Katherine.
Veronica is also expected to be a Category 4 when it crosses the coast of Western Australia state over Sunday night. Its sustained winds were 175 kph around midday yesterday.
A Category 4 severe tropical cyclone is roughly similar to a Category 2 or 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale used in the United States (US).
The last families left Borroloola by noon yesterday as they headed inland.
Speaking by phone from her family’s car as they drove inland, Christine Sauer said only the local police and utilities workers remained in the community of about 900 people.
“They’re about to switch off the power and water and they’re leaving too,” she said. “You’re not going to sit there for a Category 4 cyclone.”
Sauer and her family, who run the town’s store and gas station, plan to sit the storm out at a friend’s cattle station.
Storm evacuees board an Australian Defence Force C-130 plane preparing to take off from Borroloola, Australia. – AP
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 consented to send congratulatory messages to President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Imran Khan, the Government as well as people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
In the message to President Dr Arif Alvi, His Majesty expressed great satisfaction of the long-standing friendship shared between the two countries and the people and looked forward to enhancing these close ties in the years ahead.
In a similar message to Prime Minister Imran Khan, His Majesty expressed great appreciation for the friendly relations shared by Brunei Darussalam and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and looked forward to enhancing bilateral ties as well as partnership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
In ending both messages, His Majesty sent his kind regards and best wishes to President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Imran Khan and wished them a joyous celebration.
YANCHENG, China (AFP) – The death toll from a huge explosion at a chemical plant in eastern China surged to 47 yesterday, making it one of the country’s worst industrial accidents in recent years.
More than 600 people are receiving medical treatment following on Thursday afternoon’s blast at the industrial park in Yancheng, said the city government on its official Twitter-like Weibo account.
Among them, at least 90 are seriously injured. City officials had previously said that at least 12 people were killed and 30 injured in the explosion in Jiangsu province.
The explosion was so powerful that it apparently triggered a small earthquake, knocked down several factory buildings and shattered the windows of homes a few kilometres away.
“We knew we’d be blown up one day,” said one 60-year-old woman surnamed Xiang.
Rescuers walk near the site of a factory explosion in a chemical industrial park in Xiangshui County of Yancheng in eastern China’s Jiangsu province. – AP
She said she had harboured concerns about safety and pollution at the site for a long time.
Hundreds of rescuers have been dispatched to the scene, local authorities said, and more than 3,000 people have been evacuated from the blast site.
The blaze from the explosion has been extinguished, said local officials yesterday, after firefighters battled raging flames through the night. Three chemical tanks and five other areas had been on fire.
Authorities, who are investigating the cause of the accident, said an unspecified number of people were taken into police custody.
The chemical facility involved in the explosion belonged to Tianjiayi Chemical, a firm with 195 employees established in 2007.
According to local officials, the Jiangsu-based company mainly produced raw chemical materials, including anisole, a highly flammable compound.
The force of the explosion blew out windows and dented metal garage doors of buildings as far as four kilometres from the site, said AFP reporters at the scene.
Nearby residents – many of them elderly – have started sweeping up glass, and in some cases, seemed to have abandoned their homes entirely. Black smoke could still be seen rising from the chemical plant yesterday morning before dissipating.
On the road where Xiang lived, consisting of basic two-storey homes, almost all the windows and some window frames were blown in.
The woman was sitting at home when the explosion occurred and said the force rocked her house and badly damaged her front door.
There was no immediate government help, she said, and residents were clearing the street themselves.
Images broadcast on local media showed how the blast toppled factory buildings, trapping workers inside. State broadcaster CCTV showed rescuers pulling a survivor from the wreckage.
Workers covered in blood were seen running out of the factory, said official news agency Xinhua on Thursday, citing witnesses.
An aerial view of the blast area showed a large swath of destruction in the industrial park, where multiple fires had initially raged.
Deadly industrial accidents are common in China, where safety regulations are often poorly enforced.
GREECE, New York (AP) — Rosa Ferrigno’s new suit takes recycling to an extreme — she knitted it from more than 300 plastic grocery bags.
The 75-year-old woman from Greece in western New York whiled away the winter knitting a skirt and jacket from filmy brown bags scissored into thin strips that were tied together to make yarn.
She lined it with cotton fabric.
The finished garment is quite chic, with a tweedy look from green printing on the brown bags.
Her daughter, Fran Bertalli, tells the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle that Ferrigno has been knitting and sewing since her childhood in Sicily.
Last summer, Ferrigno saw someone’s purse made from repurposed plastic bags and started her own bag projects, making two purses before the suit.
Rosa Ferrigno wears a suit that she made from 300 plastic grocery bags. – AP
MINISTER of Religious Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman yesterday slammed comments made by several parties outside the Legislative Council (LegCo) who are of the view that the new budget allocation of his ministry is a “waste” and “hindrance” towards the country’s development agenda.
Calling the ideologies “unwise” and “not local”, the minister in his motion of adjournment on the final day of the 15th LegCo session attributed these views to those who have little understanding and grasp of the national education policy and trusts.
In his budget read-out for the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) during the final week of the session, the minister said 76 per cent of the BND246 million allocated to his ministry will be used to support religious education services in the country.
“I also stressed that this is a clear sign that the government is committed to supporting and continuing the national education thrusts, philosophy and policy that do not put aside Islamic education in shaping up an educated and pious generation for today and tomorrow,” the minister said.
He added that he is confident the majority of Bruneians perceive this allocation as something that is fitting, as they want to see the objectives of Islamic education achieved and said this is why the budget is approved in the first place.
“There are however some people out there who are still not clear about our national education policy… they are of the view that our budget allocation is a waste and should be used in other sectors, especially amid the budget deficit the country has been facing.”
The minister also expressed his disappointment over some views that link higher Islamic education in the country to issues of marketability and employability.
“I frankly welcome these concerns but at the same time I would also like to highlight that Islamic education stream graduates are capable to be employed in different sectors such is in diplomatic services, law, finance, banking and even the armed forces.”
He also stressed that the marketability and employability of Islamic education stream graduates should not be seen as a remote issue because the issue encapsulates the whole education sector including the conventional streams.
“Statistics from the JobCentre Brunei as of December 2018 showed that out of the 9,841 active job seekers in different sectors, only 16 out of 962 HND holders are in Islamic Studies and Al-Quran Studies.”
“Meanwhile in First Degree and above qualifications, out of 2,614 active job seekers, only 147 are from the Islamic education stream,” the minister said adding that detaching the issue of marketability of Islamic education stream graduates from other streams is not a wise move.
“I highly applaud the attitude of our youth today who are well-aware of the reality of the challenges in securing jobs.
“A lot have already started to be self-sustainable by establishing their own companies and businesses in areas of their capabilities including in religious services,” he noted.
He added that although ideas and concerns from the public are welcome, they should also be seen in parallel with other issues and cautioned that it should not go to a point of eliminating Islamic education in the country.
“Such views are too extreme and odd in the context of Brunei. Are these ideologies original? Are they coming from our own people? Or are they coming from outside and intentionally put here?” he asked.
“We agree that in the social and political history of Brunei, Islam has never been a hindrance to development and modernisation and whatever we do is appropriate and fitting for the long-term. We are thankful of the government’s commitment in developing our national education philosophy based on Islamic education,” he added.
THE Ministry of Defence (MinDef) will continue striving to execute its three thrusts of defence strategy, namely Deterrence, Holistic Defence and Defence Diplomacy to achieve its ‘Key Result Areas’.
Minister of Defence II Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof highlighted this in his adjournment speech on the final day of the 15th Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
He added that these strategies will continue to be used as a guide and direction for the MinDef and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) in the formulation of policies and the implementation of defence activities.
To ensure that these strategies remain relevant, the minister said they will always be aligned with changes in the domestic, regional and global strategic environment and adapted to national development strategies.
The minister explained that because the youth are seen as key assets in building the country, the MinDef and the RBAF’s recruitment and training programmes are geared towards producing highly educated and highly capable youth with a strong commitment in defending the sovereignty of the country, nation and religion.
Minister of Defence II Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
As for financial and economic aspects, austerity measures are continuing in accordance with the needs and priorities of managing the country’s defence directions.
At the same time, the MinDef and RBAF are also actively offering opportunities for local businesses to tender for non-core support services such as catering services, training skills, transportation services, and continuing to explore the public-private partnership (PPP) in the implementation of services in order to achieve the national goals of promoting entrepreneurship, enhancing economic diversification and increasing employment opportunities.
The minister said in implementing the core business of the MinDef and RBAF in defending the country’s sovereignty and protecting its territorial integrity, a Whole of Nation approach will always be the best practice towards achieving Brunei Vision 2035.
“Although investment returns can hardly be measured in defence if compared with other sectors that may be more significant, especially in enjoying peace and prosperity of the country, the maintenance of credible defence is equivalent to the provision of services in other sectors for Brunei as an independent and sovereign developed nation,” he said.
“Basically, the country’s defence is a public good that has multi-tiered benefits to the country, society and individuals. This includes aspects of stability and security.”
A MEMBER of the Legislative Council (LegCo) has urged the government to allow villagers who are jobless and residing in housing scheme areas to cut overgrown grass and vegetation in the country instead of giving the jobs to contractors, who he said are employing foreign workers to carry out the work.
Penghulu of Mukim Telisai Yang Berhormat Haji Ramli bin Haji Lahit, delivering his closing speech on the 11th day of the LegCo meeting yesterday, also suggested awarding small tenders to locals.
He called for the private sector to prioritise local employment and urged for a minimum wage of not less than BND500 per month – including other subsidies and allowances – for employees in the private sector.
“Big companies are selling their agricultural products at a cheaper rate in the market, as they produce the wares in large quantities,” he said.
“For beginners engaging in agriculture, it is an uphill task as these big companies make their own facilities without importing them from outside the country.
“It is hoped that the big companies will give opportunities to small businesses to begin contract farming in the villages. (This means that the villages can become a centre to obtain consistent supplies of produce), and they can eventually package the products and sell it overseas.”
In his closing speech, LegCo member and Penghulu of Mukim Berakas ‘B’ Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Ali bin Pengiran Maon urged the government agencies to enhance the investment ecosystem, through steps such as improving the ease of doing business; making the procedures for setting up businesses less bureaucratic and logistically efficient; enhancing skills and investment regulations; and increasing transparency with regard to foreign direct investments (FDIs).
He added that Bruneians should be encouraged to become entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, LegCo member and Penghulu of Mukim Kota Batu Yang Berhormat Naim bin Haji Kamis called for close monitoring of subsidies provided to the people to prevent abuse of the grants.
He also urged the nation to take advantage of business opportunities made available by regional cooperation agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
THE Ministry of Development (MoD) has implemented several procedures to improve disposal of government assets, said Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar.
He was responding to a question from Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Abdul Rahman on procedures of disposal of government assets at the LegCo meeting.
The minister explained that the declaration letter of disposal has been implemented and will be presented to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economy as proof that the disposal has been made.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Inspection Board (LPT) will carry out measures to expedite the process of disposing the government property. This includes providing a checklist to ensure that every application received is completed accordingly.
Secondly, it also aims to enhance communication between the government agencies in addressing issues faced such as providing proactive views and advices for disposal of application from time to time.
Thirdly, it aims to enhance knowledge of the government officers and staff on procedures of disposal application through briefings conducted by the Treasury Department from time to time.
The Ministry of Finance and Economy with the cooperation of stakeholders will further review the current process of disposal.
Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
