|     James Kon     |

LEGISLATIVE Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Ong Tiong Oh in his concluding remarks at the 15th LegCo session yesterday morning praised the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) for successfully driving down the number of road accidents.

“In the last five years, we have seen a reduction in the budget in stages,” Yang Berhormat Ong said.

“It is easy for the Legislative Council to discuss and make the decision on the reduced budget, but it is a much more difficult task for ministries to handle reductions in their respective allocations.”

He said each ministry needs to work together wisely to reduce their expenses in the face of uncertain future economic conditions.

Yang Berhormat Ong thanked all the ministries for their hard work in coming up with the budget for the Financial Year 2019/2020 based on the projected economic outlook.

He noted that although there is a reduction in the budget, “The Government 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 did not reduce the allocation for the maintenance of national infrastructure for the safety and well-being of the people, especially in road safety.

According to a report from the MTIC, there is a drop in road accidents in the country.

“This is due to the ministry’s initiatives to achieve ‘zero accidents’ focussing on the causes of accidents such as driver negligence and driving under the influence,” he said.

Among the causes of accidents that cannot be accepted and should be avoided, Yang Berhormat Ong added, “include the use of mobile phones while driving”, noting that “nothing is more important than the lives of road users”.

|     Daniel Lim     |

A CAR burst into flames in Jalan Pandan 7, Kuala Belait yesterday.

The driver escaped after noticing a section in the glove box compartment was on fire.

The vehicle owner, a 55-year-old local male, told the authorities that he saw the fire in the vehicle’s glove box compartment and evacuated immediately.

Investigations revealed the fire was caused by a broken fuel pipe leading to the engine bay.

The Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) Operation ‘B’ Branch, Belait District which received the call at around 2.13pm, dispatched two firefighting vehicles along with eight firefighters from the Kuala Belait Fire Station.

The team was led by Station Commander of Kuala Belait Fire Station Assistant Superintendent of Fire and Rescue Zulkeflee bin Alimas.

The firefighters brought the fire under control in five minutes.

The FRD advised drivers to ensure that their vehicles are in a good and safe condition and to ensure that the wiring is not damaged and that the connection between the cables is tightly sealed.

Modification to vehicles, especially the vehicle’s engine compartment, should be conducted by trained and certified mechanics and in accordance with the proper standard, rules and regulations, the FRD stated.

Drivers were also advised to be attentive to rules and regulations and exercise road safety practices.

|     Fizah Hab     |

THE Pakistan High Commission in Brunei Darussalam hosted a dinner reception to celebrate Pakistan’s 79th National Day at the Indera Samudra Grand Hall of The Empire Hotel & Country Club last night.

Guest of honour Minister of Develop-ment Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar and spouse were present.

Pakistan’s Acting High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Ahmed Ali Sirohey, Diplomatic Corps and guests were also present.

In his welcoming remarks, Ahmed Ali Sirohey highlighted the strong relationship between Brunei and Pakistan, forged through “various bilateral agreements including joint ministerial commissions and joint defence working groups, as well as other collaborations between the two countries”.

The event continued with a cake-cutting ceremony and the presentation of a token of appreciation to the Minister of Development by Ahmed Ali Sirohey.

|     Hakim Hayat     |

THE body of a 51-year-old local man floating in the waters of Sungai Lampai near the Kampong Pintu Malim Mosque in the capital yesterday afternoon was discovered by a member of the public, the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) said.

Personnel at Kampong Ayer Police Station, informed of the discovery at 5.08pm yesterday, rushed to the scene with the Marine Police.

The body was sent to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital for a post-mortem. Police said the man, believed to have drowned, was identified by family members as Jefri bin Haji Munaf.

Police said members of the public who have any information on the matter may report it to the authorities.

Investigations are continuing.

|     Rokiah Mahmud     |

SUSTAINABILTY which will further diversify the country’s economy will remain as the key priority and be the focus in further implementing the government’s strategies and formulation of the policymaking, Special Advisor to His Majesty and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim said at the final day of 15th Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.

In his adjournment speech, the Special Advisor to His Majesty and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office also noted that LegCo members’ ideas and suggestions will further be reviewed and evaluated according to its suitability by the relevant agencies by taking into account the government’s strategy and policymaking and implemented according to the needs and priorities.

He also advised the Civil Service that acted as the government’s administrative machinery for the need to update their policies so that they will remain transparent and effective, especially in delivering services to the public.

Stressing on youth development, the minister said youth, seen as the country’s asset, need to be continuously guided and instilled with the spirit of self-esteem and values of patriotism.

He also called on to equip youth with the needed knowledge and skills, especially in facing challenges brought by the fourth Industrial Revolution as part of the efforts in tackling unemployment.

The minister also advised the entrusted agencies to ensure the welfare and well-being of citizens and residents in the country by properly taking care and ensuring that assistance provided by the government is properly managed. In the aspect of peace and sovereignty of the country, all parties should shoulder the responsibility and not just by safety and security agencies.

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 was conferred the Honorary Doctorate (Islamic Leadership) in conjunction with the 90th Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Convocation Ceremony at the Dewan Agung Tuanku Canselor (DATC), UiTM, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia yesterday morning.

Accompanying His Majesty at the ceremony was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

Upon arrival at the grounds of the DATC, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan was welcomed by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI (the 16th) of Malaysia, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, the Chancellor of UiTM, and Her Majesty the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Al-Marhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj.

Yang Mulia Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah, Yang Mulia Tengku Ahmad Ismail Muadzam Shah, Yang Mulia Tengku Puteri Afzan Aminah Hafizatullah and Yang Mulia Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah ‘Athiyatullah were also present.

Thereafter, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was introduced to the Minister of Education of Malaysia, the Chairman of the UiTM Board of Directors, and Vice Chancellor of UiTM Professor Insignor Dr Mohd Azraai bin Kassim.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia were then invited to proceed to the DATC to attend the 90th UiTM Convocation Ceremony.

The ceremony commenced with the national anthems of both countries and recitation of Doa Selamat by UiTM Islamic Affairs Officer Ustaz Mohd Faizan bin Tajuid.

At the beginning of the ceremony, His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia delivered a titah for the opening of the 90th UiTM Convocation Ceremony, followed by opening remarks by the Vice Chancellor of UiTM.

The UiTM convocation ceremony was also graced with a video clip presentation that showcased the Islamic leadership of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in leading the nation both domestically and internationally.

His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia then conferred the Honorary Doctorate (Islamic Leadership) on His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, in recognition of the achievements of His Majesty’s five decades of reign in successfully instilling Islamic values to the extent of achieving progress and development in various fields including religion, economy, education and health under the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy, thus effectively making Brunei Darussalam a safe, prosperous and harmonious country, which is well-recognised and respected throughout the world.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam then delivered a titah, whereby His Majesty thanked His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia for the conferment of the Honorary Doctorate (Islamic Leadership).

The conferment is a great honour for His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and serves as a catalyst in further enhancing the close and special relationship between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia in various fields including education.

The bilateral relations are further strengthened with cooperation from the universities of both countries including UiTM, such as cooperation in student mobility between UiTM and universities in Brunei Darussalam; industry training for UiTM students at the Halalan Tayyiban Research Centre, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA); and in the pilot cooperation between UiTM and UNISSA in several fields that include organising the Halal International Conference to be held in April.

To this end, the field of research and student exchanges between the higher education institutions should be strengthened further so as to give greater impact for both countries. In addition, Brunei Darussalam welcomes Malaysians who wish to continue their education in higher education institutions in Brunei Darussalam.

In concluding the titah, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam emphasised that both countries hold importance in history based on Islamic teachings.

In addition, 109 UiTM graduates received Honorary Doctorates in their respective fields.

This was followed by a titah by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, welcoming His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan to UiTM and congratulating His Majesty on the Conferment of the Honorary Doctorate (Islamic Leadership).

After the convocation ceremony, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam received a Cendera Kenangan from His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. their Majesties were then invited for a group photograph session.

Meanwhile, at noon, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, together with His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia proceeded to the Perdana Hall, Grand BlueWave Hotel, Shah Alam for a Royal Luncheon, hosted by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia and Her Majesty the Raja Permaisuri Agong.

His Majesty left Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday afternoon.

Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia was present at Subang Air Base to bid farewell to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, along with Yang Mulia Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah and Yang Mulia Tengku Ahmad Ismail Muadzam Shah.

High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Malaysia Dato Paduka Haji Alaihuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Utama Haji Awang Mohd Taha was also present.

A Doa Selamat was recited by Ustaz Mohd Faizan.

Prior to boarding the special aircraft, His Majesty walked past a static guard of honour, mounted by the members of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment, the Malaysian Army.

RABAT (AFP) – Baton-wielding riot police used water cannons to disperse teachers protesting in the Moroccan capital last Saturday night to demand better conditions.

Several thousand young teachers calling for permanent work contracts had marched peacefully through the streets of central Rabat chanting slogans such as “freedom, dignity, social justice”.

As night fell, demonstrators held aloft candles and used their mobile phones as torches, before setting up a makeshift camp in front of Parliament. Police moved in to break up the gathering after the protestors refused to leave following more than two hours of negotiations, according to an AFP journalist.

The teachers on temporary contracts, who have been on strike since March 3, enjoy the same salaries as their permanent colleagues – USD520 a month.

But they complain they do not enjoy the same rights, especially over retirement.

|     Fizah HAB     |

THE Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD) under the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) organised a mass recitation of Surah Yaasiin, Tahlil and a Doa Selamat yesterday, in observance of World Meteorological Day 2019.

Held at the Brunei International Airport Surau, the mass recitation was accompanied by the mass Maghrib prayers.

Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof attended the event. Permanent Secretary at the MTIC Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof and Deputy Permanent Secretaries Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, Haji Hairul Mohd Daud bin Haji Abdul Karim and Pengiran Haji Mohd Zain bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Razak, as well as heads of departments, deputy heads of departments, senior officers and staff from the MTIC were also present.

The event is an annual activity for the BDMD and the MTIC, alongside other activities that include system launching, exhibitions and a national weather briefing on the World Meteorological Day 2019 theme ‘The Sun, The Earth and The Weather’ to be conducted on April 1 at Rimba Garden Central.

World Meteorological Day is observed annually on March 23 to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Convention in 1950. It is also a day to commemorate the massive contributions devoted to the safety and well-being of society in general and the specific contributions in various sectors such as agriculture, aviation, construction, fisheries and tourism, as well as safety and emergency responders, by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services around the world, under the WMO leadership.

KOFU, Japan (The Japan News/ANN) – Residents in the area below the northern slope of Mt Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, which receives many foreign tourists, are putting effort into creating an environment more welcoming to Muslims.

Behind this move lies a surge in the number of tourists from Indonesia and Malaysia, both predominantly Muslim countries.

According to the Yamanashi prefectural government, 47,990 Indonesians and 42,680 Malaysians stayed overnight in the prefecture in 2018, up 18 per cent and 55.5 per cent, respectively, from the previous year. The number of Indonesian and Malaysian visitors is expected to increase.

At the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in Fujiyoshida in the prefecture, a prayer room opened on February 4. The about 16-square-metre room was built by renovating part of a first-aid room.

The room is equipped with a marker that indicates the direction of Makkah, and a place for ablution.

Visitors can use the room freely during the park’s opening hours.

“This room will help increase the satisfaction level of Muslim visitors,” an official of the amusement park said.

At the Fujiten Snow Resort in Narusawa, Yamanashi Prefecture, a prayer space opened last year.

OSLO (AFP) – Rescuers were working yesterday to airlift more than 1,300 passengers and crew off a cruise ship after it got into difficulty in rough seas off the Norwegian coast.

The Viking Sky lost power and started drifting mid-afternoon on Saturday in perilous waters two kilometres off More og Romsdal, prompting the captain to send out a distress call.

At that stage, the authorities decided to launch a helicopter airlift in very difficult conditions rather than run the risk of leaving people on board.

“We would rather have the passengers on land rather than on board the ship,” Police Chief Tor Andre Franck said.

By early yesterday, the crew had managed to restart three of its four engines.

The vessel was making slow headway at two to three knots off the dangerous, rocky coast and a tug would help it towards the port of Molde, about 500 kilometres northwest of Oslo, officials said.

Five helicopters were scrambled along with coastguard and other rescue vessels.

Police said 338 of the 1,373 people on board had so far been taken off by helicopter, with each chopper able to take 15-20 people per trip.

The airlift was continuing early yesterday, emergency services spokesman Per Fjeld said.

“I have never seen anything so frightening,” said one of the passengers who was rescued, Janet Jacob.

“The helicopter trip was terrifying. The winds were like a tornado,” she added.

Pictures in media reports showed passengers on board as the boat rocked up and down.

“We were sitting down for breakfast when things started to shake… It was just chaos,” said another passenger, American John Curry, as quoted in Norwegian by media.

The Viking Sky sent out a distress signal due to “engine problems in bad weather”, southern Norway’s rescue centre said earlier on Twitter.

The ship was travelling south en route from Tromso to Stavanger when it got into trouble in an area that has claimed many vessels.

“It is dangerous to encounter engine problems in these waters, which hide numerous reefs,” said head of the police operations Tor Andre Franck.

A reception centre has been set up in a gym on shore to accommodate the evacuees, many of whom are from the United States (US) and Britain.

|     Dr Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong, Senior Special Duties Officer, Secretariat Office, MIB Supreme Council     |

THE International Seminar on Archaeology, History, Language and Culture in the Malay World (ASBAM) organised by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia and the Institute of the Malay World and Civilization (ATMA), Malaysia was held from July 27 – 29 last year.

Seven members from the Brunei History Association (PESEBAR) headed by its Honorary Secretary Associate Professor Dr Haji Asbol bin Haji Mail and Honorary Assistant Secretary Dr Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong (the writer) went to Lombok on July 26 last year to attend the seminar.

Alhamdulillah, PESEBAR’s participation in the International Seminar on the famous Lombok, the ‘Island of a Thousand Mosques’ (Pulau Seribu Masjid), left an unforgettable historical experience on the PESEBAR delegation. Experiencing the tremors from the 6.4-magnitude earthquake on the second day of the seminar on July 29, 2018 was an unprecedented event for the members.

The vibrations began from dawn until the most powerful at around 7am local time, rattling the hotel building where the participants were staying at during the seminar.

The earthquake resulted in a tremendous loss of life and destruction of property and buildings, especially in East Lombok, but thankfully the PESEBAR group survived. They carried on attending the seminars and visited several historical sites and cultural centres, as well as the Pasayunan Foundation in Central Lombok.

The July 29 incident was part of the destiny laid out by Allah the Almighty, but luckily Allah the Almighty has been protecting our delegation, allowing it to continue its mission for knowledge sharing and information exchange to Bandung from August 1-5, 2018.

In reality, there are actually more than 6,000 mosques on Lombok island.

Alhamdulillah, the intention and purpose of the PESEBAR entourage has been reached for sharing knowledge while exchanging information and strengthening close relationship with the aim of delivering the Bruneian people’s wishes to practise charity.

Two papers were presented by the PESEBAR delegation on the first and second day of the seminar. The first paper presented by the writer was the premier paper presented on the first day before the earthquake and the second was delivered by Associate Professor Dr Haji Asbol.

The paperwork delivered by the writer was titled Sejarah Sumber Pengukuhan Warisan Bangsa (History as Source of Strengthening National Heritage).

In the paper he tried to share information and views on historical importance as a source of strengthening the spirit of nationalism and as the identity of Bruneians which creates a unity of society and statehood in a country of diverse religions, cultures and ethnicities.

Apart from the source of prosperity and the survival of the nation and the traditions of the traditional heritage, the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) concept should be preserved and maintained to create a prosperous and tranquility of life that is endowed by Allah the Almighty.

Therefore, PESEBAR’s participation in the seminar provided an overview to the outside world of the importance of the heritage of the Brunei-based MIB to maintain prosperity and development among the life of the people to gain the blessings from Allah the Almighty. This is a traditional Brunei heritage that is practised to create the country’s vision known as Baldatun Tayyibatun Wa Rabbun Ghafur.

Two important questions were raised by historians from Indonesia to the first author during the two-day seminar: Firstly, what heritage needs to be owned and practised by the Malay race in the entire Malay Archipelago? Secondly, what is important in the construction of a nation or country’s civilisation?

Brunei’s historical experiences and perspectives, cultural heritage, monarchy and Islamic religion are part of its heritage, the foundations of its prosperity and peace which has been the practice of the Malay Archipelago and now remains only in Brunei Darussalam.

For the construction of human civilisation, we cannot escape the teachings or Islamic civilisation that colours and embraces human life from the time of Prophet Adam AS created by Allah the Almighty to this day. This is in fact the historical significance which is the source or reference base and guidance for the construction of human civilisation with the sole purpose of worshipping Allah the Almighty.

This is the reason why Islamic history is important to be learnt by the present generation, so that the heirs of the nation know and understand the history of human creation and the development of humanity from the time of Prophet Adam AS to modern times today based on Al-Quran and Hadith.

History as a source of knowledge needs to be disseminated and known to all levels of society even in association with the regional and international communities in a challenging globalisation era for the sake of prosperity of social and state life.

This issue has been highlighted by the writer through an emphasis on the importance of Islamic history in strengthening Brunei Darussalam’s status as a Malay State practising Islam as the official religion of the country and the monarchial political system.

This matter has been described in depth over the initial paper presentation for a maximum of 20 minutes. The author explained the importance of the Islamic heritage that is preserved in today’s world of globalisation. And we do not necessarily try to change and eliminate the legacy of tradition that will surely guarantee the happiness and wellbeing of the nation and state life.

Every step of the path of tradition that contradicts the teachings of Islam will receive negative consequences from Allah the Almighty. As 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 mentioned, “…begitulah ibarat kita mengubah warisan yang indah, apatah lagi membuangnya langsung, apakah akan terjadi? Tentu saja akibatnya buruk dan rugi”.

Therefore, tranquility and prosperity that violate the values of religion cannot last long because it is actually empty blessings.

In relation to the importance of history in the building of Islamic civilisation, in March the writer was given the opportunity to visit several historical sites that contributed towards the spread of Islamic civilisation, which began when Islam was introduced by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) from 7AD in Makkah and Madinah.

Raudah Al-Amin Sdn Bhd brought a group of 157 Bruneian pilgrims to perform Umrah and gave them the opportunity to visit historical sites in Makkah and Madinah to strengthen and solidify their deference to Allah the Almighty.

The visits showed the Bruneians how important Islamic history was. The opportunity to learn and witness what was left gave the pilgrims a sense of remorse and hint of what it is like to live in the era of jihad and sacrifice by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his loyal followers, to defend and spread Islam to lighten the path when they were in darkness.

Among the places visited included Masjid Quba, Masjid Sayyidatina Siti Aisyah (Ta’naaim) Jabal Thur, Gua Hira, Jabal Uhud, Jabal Rahmah, Mina, Padang Arafah and Kota Thaif (which we believe is the origin of Sultan Sharif Ali, the third Sultan of Brunei).

All the historical heritages are silent proof of the existence of the greatness of Islamic civilisation in the past, remnants of the struggle of the old generation in defending Islam which needs to be known and learnt by the future generations – the descendants of Prophet Adam AS in this world – to please Allah the Almighty.

|     Azlan Othman     |

LEGISLATIVE Council (LegCo) members approved a motion to revive the Young Farmers Programme conducted several years ago in Kampong Jerudong with new approaches not only in the Brunei-Muara District, but also in the four districts as suggested by LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Mohimin bin Haji Johari@Jahari at the 11^th day of the 15^th LegCo meeting on Saturday.

Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong in his deliberation regarding the programme said youth are the ministry’s main target in realising the vision and mission to increase the output of the agriculture and fishery sector in the country and contribute to GDP growth and to the diversification of the country’s economic activities.

This was clearly seen by the LegCo members’ visits to the Communal Farm in Tungku, Kilanas and Sungai Liang and Agricultural Development Area (KKP) Sinaut in the previous year, where the involvement of the young people was very impressive.

Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali said originally, the programme was introduced by the Department of Agriculture, which was then under the Ministry of Development. “According to our records, this project was introduced in 1976, or 43 years ago, and ended in 1985, or over 34 years ago.”

It involves eight recruitments, with the number of students attending the Young Farmers Course totalling 130. Participants attended a two-year agricultural course at Sinaut Agricultural Training Centre in the Tutong District.

After completion of the Young Farmers Course, a number of students interested in agricultural activities have participated in the Young Farmers Placement Project. Thirty former students managed the company at the Young Farmers Placement whereby 18 farmers were stationed at Luahan area in Jerudong and 12 farmers in Birau, Tutong.

Each participant of the programme is provided a 10-acre piece of land without paying rent, and a home for free, and a monthly allowance of approximately BND400.

However, the allowance was stopped on May 1, 1986. Some former students opted to enter the Department of Agriculture, while others withdrew from joining the project. Based on information monitored by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood from 2013-2018, it was found that most of them were engaged in small-scale vegetable production companies and conventional methods.

Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali also highlighted the initiatives made by his ministry since two years ago.

The first initiative is the Agricultural Exposure Programme for Youth, including former students of tertiary education from within and outside the country. This programme includes briefing sessions on entrepreneurship opportunities in agriculture, financial simulations or financial flows analysis of several types of agricultural enterprises, guidelines to register agricultural sites, procedures for registering companies and business names and opportunities to sell crops, especially through contract farming; and a tour to expose participants to agricultural systems and technology and visits to successful youth farms, such as Marsya Farm and Ameenfarm Agrotech and Trading.

Thirty youth have participated in the programme, where two have been offered sites under the Agricultural Pilot Project.

A youth was offered a site at KKP Batumpu (Azim Agro Farm) for vegetable plantation, and another at KKP Tungku (Assmah Farm) for melon using a greenhouse fertigation system.

The second initiative, according to Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali is the Agricultural Pilot Project. “Alhamdulillah, 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 offering of site for the pioneer project was introduced aimed at providing opportunities for entrepreneurs or farmers, including youth interested in exploring agriculture on a trial basis.”

They will be offered a site that is suitable within a two-year trial, and if the operators perform very well, the site size can be increased, and the tenure of the land may be extended to an appropriate period.

Since the Agricultural Pilot Project was introduced during the two years, 46 entrepreneurs have been offered sites under this scheme involving over 290 hectares of agricultural land. Of these, 16 are young entrepreneurs, out of whom two young entrepreneurs are working on sites at KKP Sinaut namely Mori Enterprise in herbs and Nature Fruit Farm engaged in fruit plantation, such as dragon fruit, passion fruit, durian, soursop (durian salat), jackfruit, banana and others.

A young entrepreneur is involved in farming at KKP Batang Mitus, namely the Green Technology Farm in a banana plantation.

Two young entrepreneurs are working on sites in KKP Labu namely Wina Wiya Enterprise and ODE Aquaculture & Agriculture Company in fruit plantation, such as durian, longan, mango, jackfruit, rambutan and others.

Another young entrepreneur is operating at KKP Bekarut namely Eco-Agro Farm in durian plantation while four young entrepreneurs are working on sites at KKP Tungku, namely Teratak Jaya Enterprise to grow vegetable using fertigation and hydroponic systems; Assmah Farm and Gropoint Sdn Bhd in melon plantation using a fertigation system inside the greenhouse; and CF Arsyad Farm in melon plantation.

A company is operating a site in KKP Kilanas, namely RZ Prisma Enterprise in vegetable crops using a fertigation and hydroponic system. Two young entrepreneurs are working on sites at KKP Batumpu, namely Abdul Aziz Agro Farm in a vegetable plantation using fertigation systems; and Golsyne Enterprise in fruit plantation.

A young entrepreneur is operating at KKP Sibongkok, which is Haqasha Jaya Farming Sdn Bhd in a vegetable plantation. Another young entrepreneur at KKP Sungai Liang namely Kitani Enterprise is engaged in vegetable plantation while a company operates a site at KKP Lumapas namely KMB Sdn Bhd in a vegetable and melons plantations using a fertigation system, where one of the company’s partners is a youth.

Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali also highlighted the third initiative which is Contract Farming. This programme is introduced to ensure that farmers are able to sell their produce through long-term contracts with hypermarkets and wholesalers in the country, even with exporters.

Since the programme was introduced in the past two years, 11 companies (Sinar Tenaga Sdn Bhd; Assmah Farm; Bioprop Sdn Bhd; RZ Prisma Enterprise; Ameen Farm Agrotech & Trading; Riverland Enterprise; Naaz Hanan; Sykt Hj Salleh bin Hj Ludin & Anak Anak; Marsya Farm; Abdul Aziz Agrofarm and Mori Enterprise have contract farming in the initial stage with local supermarkets (Hua Ho; Supa Save; Sim Kim Huat; and Farmgate) to supply various high-value vegetables such as tomato, chilli, lettuce and salad leaves.

Three of these companies – Assmah Farm; Abdul Aziz Agrofarm and Mori- are managed by youth.

Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali also highlighted the fourth initiative which is the Enterprise Expansion Programme. This initiative was introduced in the form of an additional offering of sites to farmers who successfully worked on the sites they had been offered to increase their productivity and to contribute to GDP growth of the agriculture sector.

Since the programme was introduced in the two years, 15 entrepreneurs have been offered additional sites to expand their company and increase their farm produce, including a young entrepreneur (Mori Enterprise) who is working on herbs at KKP Sinaut.

Meanwhile, six other companies (Riza Fudhlana Farm, Asia Enterprise, Loong Ji Sdn Bhd, ODE Aquaculture & Agriculture Sdn Bhd, Hj Salleh bin Hj Ludin & Anak Anak and RZ Prisma Enterprise) are also offered additional sites and have got their children involved in the management of the companies.

The fifth initiative, according to Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali, is to introduce simple and cheap farming techniques including for low-income groups, youth who are waiting for jobs and single mothers.

The ministry has also embarked on introducing easy and cheap agricultural techniques to other agencies, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; and the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, which is for the use of the assistance applicants under their respective jurisdiction. Six people were introduced with simple and inexpensive agricultural techniques.

The sixth initiative is the Substitution Import Programme. This initiative is still in the final study stage.

It is a match-making between supermarkets, wholesalers, restaurant operators, and hotels with local farmers. The objective is to make supermarkets, wholesalers, restaurant operators and hotels to buy their vegetable and fruit from local farmers, especially for crops that can be cultivated in the country like tomatoes, chilies, salads, mushrooms, melons and others.

In this way, farmers will be able to further increase their output, and thus hopefully reduce the import of the goods.

Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali also highlighted the seventh initiative which is to introduce an account manager system, by arranging each agricultural officer to accompany a number of farmers, including young or youth farmers, while monitoring their development and their problems.

Each account manager will assist in solving the problem of farmers under their care, such as infrastructure problems, problems with labour, fertiliser, crop disease, floods, market access, importing of materials and so on. For example, in the livestock industry (broiler and ruminant), four account managers have been appointed to assist 16 entrepreneurs in the industry. Some companies monitored by several young farmers are Ideal Multifeed Farm; Riza Fudhlana Farm, Brugoat, and Hua Ho Agricultural Farm.

In the vegetable industry, 11 account managers have been appointed to assist 39 entrepreneurs, involving 138 hectares of vegetable crops. This includes several companies involving young people such as Kitani Enterprise; Mori Enterprise and Teratak Jaya Company.

In the fruit industry, 12 account managers have been appointed to assist 33 entrepreneurs, involving 520 hectares of fruit plantations. These include several companies involving young people (such as KMB Sdn Bhd; Gropoint Sdn Bhd; ODE Aquaculture and Agriculture; Green Technology Farm and CF Arsyad).

The minister said, “We have seen over the last two years, a growth in the involvement of young people in the field of agriculture, although without encouragement in the form of free accommodation and without a monthly allowance from the government. They are also willing to pay rent for land just like other farmers.

“Till today, 113 young people are actively involved in agriculture. Twenty-five people are actively involved in the vegetable cultivation industry; 13 people in the fruit plantation; 26 are active in the paddy industry; four are active in flower and ornamental plants; 16 people are active in the livestock industry and 29 people are active in the agrifood industry.”

|     Lyna Mohamad     |

THE importance of water as the main source of life was highlighted in yesterday’s pre-dawn talk delivered by Director of Public and International Relations Centre at the Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) Haji Sammali bin Haji Adam.

“Without water, we would not be able to live a secure, comfortable and complete life. Thus, as consumers and the servants of Allah the Almighty, we should not only give thanks for its benefits, but also exercise sensitivity and responsibility in the consumption of water,” he said.

Among those present were Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud; Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar; Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.

Also in attendance were Deputy Minister of Development Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Yussof.

Initiated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs through its Mosque Affairs Department, the Islamic Da’wah Centre and the Islamic Syiar Development Division, the talk is part of the Masjidku Makmur, Negaraku Berkat programme to encourage the presence of more congregants for mass Subuh prayers at the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque.

|     Fadhil Yunus     |

MORE than 1,700 runners converged at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in the heart of the capital yesterday to take part in the National Day Run 2019 armed with the collective purpose of promoting the spirit of unity and harmony as well as solidarity.

A total of 2,178 people across four districts registered for the National Day Run 2019, with the majority coming from the Brunei-Muara District which totalled 1,724 entries, 136 from the Belait District, 184 people from the Tutong District and 134 people from the Temburong District.

The National Day Run 2019 was organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports with the cooperation of the Brunei Darussalam Athletics Federation in conjunction with Brunei Darussalam’s 35^th National Day celebration.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin led the running event in the Brunei-Muara District.

The event commenced with a warm-up session and followed with the flag off for the National Day Run 2019 in two separate stages for the men’s and women’s categories as well as the 4km run.

The men’s and women’s events were divided into three categories namely open, veteran and teenagers who are under the age of 16.

Meanwhile, the guest of honour for the event in the Temburong District was member of the Legislative Council Yang Berhormat Haji Emran bin Haji Sabtu.

Besides commemorating Brunei Darussalam’s 35^th National Day celebration, the annual event was held to encourage the community in the country to practice a healthy lifestyle by engaging in sports and recreational activities continuously.

The run also aimed to foster unity, understanding and cooperation among the community for the development and sports in the country.

The running activity brought together various circles and levels of the community particularly the youth, elderly and the children.

|     Azlan Othman     |

GOVERNMENT ministries are playing their part in promoting and reviving the Young Farmers Programme which was highlighted on the 11^th day of the 15^th Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting on Saturday.

LegCo members approved a motion to revive the Young Farmers Programme which was conducted several years ago in Kampong Jerudong with new approaches not only in the Brunei-Muara District but also in the other three districts as suggested by member of LegCo Yang Berhormat Haji Mohimin bin Haji Johari @ Jahari.

In his motion to support the speech, 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 the ministry’s target for agriculture is youth, people facing hardship and those receiving a monthly assistance and their dependents with the aspiration to make agriculture a career, to become entrepreneurs and a source of extra income, thus contributing to the gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the agricultural sector.

The minister said his ministry and their strategic partners will continue to implement and enhance the youth agricultural programme in a more affordable way, participated by 32 youth and the Paddy Planting Programme through the Youth Development Programme and at the same time provide entrepreneurship grant including an independent programme and an empowerment assistance programme through the Community Development Programme.

Next week, four youth under the Youth Paddy Planting Programme will start paddy planting at the new site in Kampong Wasan in an area covering 8.5 hectares. “We also plan to provide hydroponic facilities in three strategic areas at the Youth Development Centre (PPB), Pusat Bahagia and Welfare Home Complex to equip youth in this field.”

Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman said agricultural and basic programmes are offered by the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Agro-Technology Campus in Kampong Wasan.

Programmes offered are HNTec in Agro-Technology and NTec in Crop & Livestock Production, Food Processing, Aquaculture, and AgroTech Veterinian and Livestock. Recently, IBTE also offered a joint venture with LiveWire to implement an agrobase to revive the Young Farmers Programme with new approaches to produce agropreneurs who are trained in agrotechnology.

The project is hoped to contribute to the food security strategy to attain 35 per cent self-sufficiency in rice production by 2025. The agrobased project gives opportunities to young entrepreneurs’ comprising students from IBTE Agro-Tech Technology Campus. They have been identified to have the potential to expand and maintain their business in producing paddy and plants in the form of cash crops.

The project is also intended as a platform to guide agroprenuers to be developed in entrepreneurship to open opportunities to be suppliers of seed, manure, machinery and to be competitive and independent.

It is also hoped to develop agroprenuers to drive towards the paddy-driven industry such as production of paddy seeds, manure and pesticides distributor and maintenance of machine. It is also to nurture them in poultry farming.

In addition to the initiatives presented by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, initiatives to promote youth involvement in agriculture are also led by other ministries, said Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong.

He said the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports introduced the Agriculture and Plantation Exposure Programme (Young Farmers) and the Paddy Planting programme for youth with cooperation between the PPB and the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood. So far, 36 youth are active in agriculture under the ministry’s initiative.

The Ministry of Education’s initiative is through IBTE Agro-Technology Campus (Wasan). The campus is responsible for taking over the role of Sinaut Agricultural Training Centre by offering courses on agriculture, livestock, fisheries, agribusiness and agricultural services, including classroom, practical and field training.

Currently, this campus trains 426 students in various courses. Since its inception in 2006, the campus has trained 1,248 students.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB), through the Zakat (tithe) Recipients Enhancement Programme (PROPAZ), also channelled a portion of Zakat recipients to see agriculture as a field that can be used to increase the income of Zakat recipients.

For all the initiatives, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism is a key partner to these ministries, especially in providing technical support services such as skills training, offering agricultural sites, and other technical advice and agricultural development.

Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali also said the involvement of various parties (or the whole-of-nation approach) is appropriate to ensure that different youth needs are taken into account, especially in terms of how to lead, guide, provide assistance and teach them. 

|     Hakim Hayat     |

EIGHTY-FIVE offences were recorded during a nationwide roadblock jointly conducted by different law enforcement agencies in several locations on Saturday night, the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) said.

The four-hour joint operation which commenced at 9pm was conducted in three locations in Kampong Kuala Lurah in the Brunei-Muara District; Sungai Tujoh Container Depot in Belait District and Ujong Jalan Control and Inspection Complex in Temburong District.

The operation saw 76 compound fines and one docket fine issued by the Traffic Control and Investigation Department (JSKLL) and police district; two offences under the customs and excise act as well as one offence and five arrests made for drug related offences.

A hundred and twenty-four personnel from different law enforcement agencies including the JSKLL, RBPF, Land Transport Department, Royal Customs and Excise Department, Immigration and National Registration Department, Narcotics Control Bureau, Religious Enforcement Unit, Halal Food Control Division and also the Internal Security Department were involved the in the operation held in conjunction with the first term school holidays.

Police said the operation was held to enhance the discipline of road users and also in ensuring that laws and regulations in the country are being complied with.

ESCONDIDO, California (AP) — A note referencing the recent terrorist attacks in New Zealand was found at the scene of a possible arson fire at a Southern California mosque, police said on Sunday.

Nobody was hurt, and members of the Islamic Center of Escondido were able to extinguish the small blaze before firefighters around 3.15am, officials said.

The incident was being investigated as arson and a possible hate crime, said police in the city about 48 kilometres north of downtown San Diego.

A note was found in the parking lot referencing the shootings this month that killed 50 people at mosques in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, police Lieutenant Chris Lick said. He did not elaborate about the contents of the note.

Investigators did not release information about a suspect.

The fire caused minor damage to the building’s exterior.

Seven people were inside the mosque at the time of the fire, police told the KNSD TV station. They were able to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived on the scene, KNSD reported.

“There are people who sleep there overnight,” member Yusef Miller said. “They heard the sounds, they smelled some funny smells, and there was a letter saying something connecting to New Zealand at the same time. So, this made everybody especially on edge.”

The Escondido mosque was created four years ago and serves several hundred people in the city of about 143,000 residents, Miller said.

He told KNSD that worshippers are undeterred.

“We won’t stop praying,” Miller said. “We won’t stop gathering.”

Head of the Council of American-Islamic Relations in San Diego Dustin Craun said his civil rights group stands with the mosque.

“It is disturbing enough that some sick individual would attempt to burn a house of worship to the ground, but referencing the slayings in New Zealand is beyond the pale,” he said in a statement. “While the majority of humanity has responded to the tragedy to draw closer to one another and refute hatred, a violent and hate-filled minority seeks further divisions.

“We are grateful that someone was inside the mosque and was able to act quickly to put the fire out. We ask anyone with information to come forward and contact the Escondido Police Department. We stand in solidarity with our community members who attend the Islamic Center of Escondido.”

|     Aziz Idris     |

THE United Kingdom (UK) Royal Navy ship HMS Montrose concluded its two-day visit to the Sultanate with joint naval exercises alongside KDB Berkat of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) yesterday.

The Type 23 frigate arrived in Brunei last Saturday to foster the longstanding bilateral defence relationship between the UK and Brunei through exchange visits and drills.

During an interview with local media, Commanding Officer of HMS Montrose Commander Conor O’Neill said that the main purpose of the visit was to stock up on supplies as its crew will be deployed to the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific for many years.

“This particular visit is focussed around logistics supply and we are grateful for the support of the RBN, the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam, and the British Garrison for making it possible,” he said.

“As we set sail and leave Brunei waters, we will conduct a sea exercise with KDB Berkat of the RBN.”

HMS Montrose will then head for Bahrain where she will be based for the next three years. There, she will conduct patrols and swap her entire crew with her sister ship HMS Monmouth every six months.

HMS Montrose’s stop in Brunei is the fourth visit of a UK Royal Navy ship to the country in the past 12 months, following the visits of the Royal Navy flagship HMS Albion, and HMS Argyll.

HMS Montrose is currently operating as part of the UK’s Joint Expeditionary Force, which requires her to be ready to respond to National and Coalition Tasking. Her forward deployment to the Asia-Pacific region is a demonstration of the UK’s commitment to maritime security across the globe, and of the UK’s regional engagement in building regional maritime capability.

HMS Montrose has also been monitoring the enforcement of UN sanctions against North Korea, preventing illegal ship-to-ship transfers of banned goods as part of the international pressure campaign against North Korea’s illegal nuclear programme.

The vessel is also involved in the global campaign against plastic pollution in the oceans, doing its part by recording pollution at remote islands under the British Overseas Territories: the Pitcairn Islands of Pitcairn, Dulcie, Oneo and Henderson.

Commander O’Neill personally conducted an aerial survey of the masses of debris on the shorelines of the islands, in particular Henderson Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and dubbed “the most polluted island in the world”.

WASHINGTON (AP) — United States (US) Attorney General William Barr has made his determination about special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. Now Democrats want to make their own.

The delivery last Sunday of Barr’s summary to Congress about Mueller’s conclusions has opened a new chapter in the battle over the two-year investigation that is likely to consume Capitol Hill in the coming weeks and months. Democratic lawmakers are demanding a full look at Mueller’s findings and dismissing Barr’s summary as incomplete, at best, and biased, at worst.

They have seized on a line in the summary that said Mueller’s report “does not exonerate” the president on obstruction of justice — even though Barr concluded the evidence of obstruction is insufficient to find Trump committed a crime.

“The fact that Special Counsel Mueller’s report does not exonerate the president on a charge as serious as obstruction of justice demonstrates how urgent it is that the full report and underlying documentation be made public without any further delay,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement. “Given Mr Barr’s public record of bias against the Special Counsel’s inquiry, he is not a neutral observer and is not in a position to make objective determinations about the report.”

Given the report, Democrats seemed more likely to focus on their ongoing investigations, calls for transparency and frustrations with Barr, rather than engaging with the talk of impeachment that has been amplified on Pelosi’s left flank. As the release of Mueller’s report loomed, Pelosi recently tried to scuttle that talk by saying she’s not for impeachment, for now.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, who would lead any impeachment effort, said he would call Barr to testify soon “in light of the very concerning discrepancies and final decision making at the Justice Department”.

Yet while Democrats focussed on the obstruction piece, Barr’s summary report dealt their investigative efforts an undeniable blow by concluding that Trump’s campaign never conspired with Russia. Top Democrats, now leading broad investigations of President Trump in the House majority, had long suggested just the opposite.

“After 22 months of a special counsel and two years of congressional investigations, it’s over,” tweeted North Carolina Representative Mark Meadows, a close ally of Trump. “The clock has finally struck midnight on the ‘Russian collusion’ fantasy.”

In a joint statement, Nadler, House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff and House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings almost seemed to concede that collusion had not been found, saying they have confidence in Mueller, “notwithstanding the very public evidence of Trump campaign contact with and willingness to receive support from Russian agents.”

Still, they said, “it will be vital for the country and the Congress to evaluate the full body of evidence collected by the special counsel, including all information gathered of a counterintelligence nature.”

Democrats discussed strategy in a flurry of calls over the weekend. Pelosi and Schumer talked repeatedly, including several calls on Sunday from her home in San Francisco. As soon as Barr’s letter arrived, Pelosi quickly convened a call on Sunday with Cummings, Schiff and Nadler to go over its main points. They were on the same page with their response, according to a person familiar with the call. Nadler later held a conference call with Democratic members on the Judiciary panel and reiterated calls for transparency.

People familiar with the calls requested anonymity to discuss them freely.

Republicans unified to call for Congress to move on. “This case is closed,” said House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy in a statement.

Trump celebrated the findings but did not appear ready to let the matter drop, calling the investigation “an illegal takedown that failed”. He said that, “hopefully somebody’s going to look at the other side,” an apparent reference to Democrats.

Democratic calls for transparency on the Mueller report could set up a court battle with the Trump administration that could take months or years to resolve.

It’s unclear what else is coming from Barr, though he states in the letter that he is working to make more information public. He said he will be consulting with Mueller to determine what else can be released. But whatever is provided is unlikely to be enough for Democrats, who have said they want all of Mueller’s underlying evidence — including interviews, documents and material turned over to the grand jury.

Democrats have said they are willing to subpoena Mueller and Barr, if needed, to push for disclosure.

Though Trump himself has said the report should be made public, it’s not clear whether the administration would fight subpoenas for testimony or block the transmission of grand jury material.

If the administration decides to fight, lawmakers could ask federal courts to step in and enforce a subpoena. A court fight could, in theory, reach the Supreme Court.

In the meantime, Democrats will keep the focus on full transparency.

“I don’t want a summary of the Mueller report,” tweeted Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a Democratic presidential candidate. “I want the whole report.”

|     Danial Norjidi     |

BANK Islam Brunei Darussalam’s (BIBD) branchless banking initiative allows anyone to have access to financial services without the need to physically go to a banking branch, as well as have digital payment capabilities.

This was highlighted yesterday during a press conference organised by BIBD, which took place at the Royal Brunei Recreation Club and was led by BIBD Chief Operating Officer Dr Gyorgy Ladics and BIBD Head of Retail Banking Hajah Nurul Akmar binti Haji Mohd Jaafar.

In a statement, BIBD shared that in creating an “Infinity of Possibilities”, BIBD through its BIBD NEXGEN platform supports Brunei Darussalam’s smart nation initiatives and Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD)’s digital roadmap to encourage and utilise a digital payment ecosystem to embrace a digital transformation that provides benefits to both users and payment service providers.

The statement includes comments from BIBD Managing Director and CEO Mubashar Khokhar, who echoed this commitment. “Whilst we have placed efforts into encouraging the adoption of a digital Bruneian economy via our own technologies that resulted in over 140,000 BIBD NEXGEN banking users, we remain cognisant we need to go further and evolve if we were to create more impact for a truly digital economy.

“In this belief while embracing our Bruneian at Heart ethos along with Brunei’s Whole-of-Nation approach, we started our collaborations with Progresif last May to launch Progresif Pay,” he said. “Today, we are taking branchless banking to another level by allowing anyone to have access to financial services without the need to physically come to a banking branch. This mobile convenience creates further inclusion for the expansion of a larger digital audience via partnerships with industries beyond the banking sector.”

“This first for Brunei is a collaborative effort that delivers on our commitment as Brunei’s economic partner of growth and empower other technologies with banking and payment capabilities for better financial inclusion through our branchless banking collaboration with telco partnership,” he added.

“This way, we are able to assimilate Brunei’s economy faster into the global digital economy that is expected to be worth over USD20 trillion by 2025.”

It was shared that BIBD’s branchless banking initiative will facilitate for enrichment of the wider customer experience, and will open up and make available the technology to all mobile users to allow for the improved adoption of a robust local digital ecosystem that will allow increased de-cashing with secure, innovative and documented digital payments.

BIBD also took the opportunity to introduce its latest innovation, BIBD NEXGEN Wave, which is aimed at narrowing the gaps towards a fully digitised and cashless society.

Using Near Field Communications (NFC), BIBD NEXGEN Wave will be able to interact with other international wallet and payment solutions such as Apply Pay and Google Pay in a global payment economy that is expected to be worth USD20 billion by 2020.

Dr Gyorgy Ladics said, “I’m happy to see the growth of the BIBD NEXGEN Wallet ecosystem that has grown to more than 14 million transactions in 2018 alone. This reflects the digital-readiness of the Brunei Darussalam public that has embraced the digital revolution at a very remarkable pace.”

“In taking this success further, our branchless banking proposition through our collaboration with telcos such as Progresif will seek to replicate this success onto a larger audience to benefit the wider public,” he said.

“Through branchless banking, our partnerships with telcos will extend and create a larger and more capable digital financial ecosystem that will provide the economy with a convenience that connects and unifies the customer base using multi-platform acceptance, benefit merchants with lowered set-up costs and reduced barriers of entry, and also safer and more secured transactions that are digitised and real-time.”

The Chief Operating Officer further added in the press conference, “We all believe that this is a platform and a success we need to ensure can be wider shared through a collaboration, especially with Progresif, we have the means and we have the ways to actually share this success to a wider audience, and we all believe that this partnership will make more success and more products available to all in Brunei.”

Speaking on branchless banking, he said, “It means that you don’t have to come to a BIBD branch to have access to basic financial services, and having digital payment capabilities. You can work with your telcos, you can work with Progresif, and everybody can have access to financial services and basic digital payment capabilities.”

Meanwhile, Hajah Nurul Akmar reiterated BIBD’s commitment towards its customers by saying, “We understand that in order to provide a richer customer experience, we need to go beyond providing our customers with the capabilities to digitally transact.”

“While our collaboration with our telco partners such as Progresif will enable any member of the public holding a mobile phone to have access to a full suite of banking and transactional services, we will need to also ensure that we have a marketplace for them to utilise these services and capabilities.”

She highlighted that BIBD’s partnership with DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) in the upcoming MSME Festival to be held at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre on March 28 “is part of our efforts to create a larger digital marketplace for our customers to engage and better understand the benefits of the services under our BIBD NEXGEN platform”.

“Over 100 merchants will have access to BIBD’s QuickPay and other payment solutions that will enable cashless transaction capabilities.”

Additionally, in further support of the event, BIBD will be showcasing its revised MSME account, which will focus on including more entrepreneurs to better understand and manage their business financials and also banking requirements.

This will also further reduce the challenges to entry into the business sector, whilst empowering local business to take control of their capabilities to maximise their growth potential.

It was also shared that the minimum opening of BND50 for MSME accounts is hoped to ease businesses in maintaining and managing their business costs and finances via a business account that will also facilitate their business transactional requirements.