Spain’s Corruption Scandals: The Crisis of the Royal Family

By Lisa Abend / Madrid

Walking into the courthouse in Palma de Mallorca on Saturday, Iñaki Urdangarin must have recognized the irony. On Feb. 23, 1981, his father-in-law, King Juan Carlos, had played a very visible, very critical role in stopping a military coup d’état intended to return Spain to an authoritarian regime. The King’s actions that night not only helped the fledgling democracy survive its first serious crisis but also secured the reputation of the monarchy for decades to come. Now, on exactly the same date some 32 years later, Urdangarin was helping undermine it.

Over the weekend, Urdangarin returned to court to testify in a case that charges him with influence peddling and graft. As one of several major corruption cases currently gripping the nation — another revolves around the surprisingly inflated Swiss bank accounts of Luis Bárcenas, former treasurer of the ruling Popular Party (PP), and the off-the-books payments to high-ranking party members that he allegedly helped organize — it contributes to a growing sense among Spaniards that their political system no longer works. The question now — one that has implications not only for Spain’s current political leaders but also for the very future of its democracy — is whether anyone has the position or will to fix it.

Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy tried to suggest that he did. Addressing parliament in his first State of the Nation debate, he outlined an anticorruption plan that would include a new transparency law and require party treasurers to testify annually about their accounts in parliament. But he failed to generate much enthusiasm for his proposals. “There was nothing new there,” says Victor Lapuente, a political scientist at the University of Gothenburg’s Quality of Government institute, in Sweden. “He said what is always said in Spain whenever there’s a problem: appoint a commission.”

Rajoy also has a credibility problem. His name — along with that of nearly every high-ranking party official — appears in secret accounts supposedly kept by Bárcenas. Those books show that party members regularly received under-the-table payments, purportedly funded by corporations and private individuals; in Rajoy’s case, the notes suggest he received €25,200 ($33,000) annually from 1997 to 2008. Denying the veracity of the books, PP secretary general María Dolores de Cospedal insisted that the party was the target of a conspiracy. Yet last week it came to light that although he resigned in 2010 (in the wake of a different corruption indictment), Bárcenas remained on the PP payroll until Jan. 31, 2013. That was the same day that the newspaper El País published the secret records attributed to him.

Although polls show falling support for the PP, no one within the party has emerged to challenge Rajoy’s control. Nor has any other party. Opposition leader Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba gave his own uninspired address during the State of the Nation debate, and his Socialist Party has had its own corruption troubles. “The opposition is tainted as well,” says Lapuente. “There are a lot of people out there — middle class, educated, liberal democrats — who see the problems and want a clean government but can find no party that represents them. They’re political orphans.”

The sense of disillusionment extends to the monarchy. For decades after he effectively ended the coup by going on television to assure the country that the rebel officers holding parliament at gunpoint did not have his support, King Juan Carlos enjoyed high approval polls and preferential treatment from the press. But in the past couple of years, public perception of him, especially among young people with no memory of that night, has shifted. Although no public-opinion polls about Juan Carlos have been conducted since October 2011 (when, for the first time, his approval ratings dropped below 50%), in a recent survey 57.8% of 18- to 29-year-olds said they would like Spain to be a republic rather than a constitutional monarchy. An expensive hunting trip to Botswana, during which he broke his hip and had to be flown on an emergency flight back to Spain, helped erode Juan Carlos’ personal prestige, coming as it did during the economic crisis. But even more damning has been the indictment of his son-in-law.

Charged with using his connections to win inflated public contracts for his Nóos Institute, a purportedly not-for-profit organization that arranged sports, cultural and tourism events, Urdangarin is also being investigated for the alleged embezzlement of some €8 million ($10 million) from those contracts. Throughout the scandal, the palace has maintained that it knew nothing about the questionable dealings, and in court on Saturday, Urdangarin testified that neither his wife the Infanta Cristina, who sat on the board of Nóos, nor his father-in-law the King had any knowledge of the institute’s workings. But e-mails surrendered to the court by Urdangarin’s former partner, Diego Torres, who is also under indictment, suggest that the King was kept well informed of his son-in-law’s activities.

The King cannot be tried under Spanish law, and so far, the court has maintained that there is not enough evidence to indict his daughter. But the case is clearly having an impact; a poll conducted by Metroscopia for El País shows that 88% of the population believe the Urdangarin case is damaging the monarchy. “The palace hasn’t known how to confront this crisis,” says University of Zaragoza historian Julián Casanova, author of A Short History of the Spanish Civil War. “I don’t know if they did when the coup d’etat happened in 1981 either, but back then there was at least a sort of unanimity surrounding the monarchy. There wasn’t a republican movement. Now there is, and it’s growing all the time.”

Yet ironically, one of the few figures in Spain who has both the prestige and popularity to effect change and is — at least until now — untainted by corruption is himself a royal. Educated at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., the 45-year-old Prince Felipe is next in line for the throne, and along with his mother Queen Sofia, is the only royal who hasn’t seen his approval ratings plummet. Provided he himself is not implicated in the Nóos case (some documents include his name on the institute’s board), a willingness to open up the palace to public scrutiny — and to call on the political parties to do the same — could jump-start a broader political renewal. “He’s untested and he hasn’t given signs of where he stands on these issues,” says Casanova. “But he has the credibility. It’s the one thing that could change the fate of the monarchy, and maybe change things in general.”

There’s no doubt that Spaniards want change. On Feb. 23 — a date chosen for its historic significance — hundreds of thousands of them poured into the streets for nationwide demonstrations. The protests had originally been billed as antiausterity, but there were plenty of republican flags on display, plenty of posters that equated “My Cuts” with “Your Envelopes” (a reference to Bárcenas and his predecessor’s preferred method of allegedly distributing cash payments) and plenty of cries for Rajoy to “imitate the Pope!” Taken together, they were telling signs that a second crisis in Spanish democracy is under way. But this time, at least so far, no one has appeared to lead the way out.

Dipetik dari - TIME.com

Letters to the Editor: The South China Sea issue

Dear Editor,

I READ with great confusion and disagreement over a recent editorial published by your esteemed paper. The topic was the South China Sea claims and the need for a Code of Conduct.

While I agree the upcoming ASEAN Summit should not be "hijacked" to assert each contesting party's claim, I find the statement that the claims themselves are "NOT an ASEAN Summit issue" completely absurd. Though ASEAN may have equally important items it has to address on its agenda for this year such as how to realise a single, regional economic community by 2015 it cannot do so if the political stability and security over the most prominent waters in ASEAN is not guaranteed.

The South China Sea, despite its name, is literally at the heart of ASEAN; in terms of geographical location and with respect to regional connectivity. ASEAN cannot simply be oblivious to the fate of one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, especially when it is located just at the regional grouping's doorstep.

I firmly believe that an ASEAN mechanism should be an integral part of the process to resolve the claims issue. This is not only in taking account that four ASEAN member states are involved in the disputes, but also respecting China as a powerful economic, political and military force in the region.

ASEAN has walked a long road of experience as a partner to China. Then, why should it not be ASEAN again that is at the forefront of negotiations with the Asian giant? And should the argument be that ASEAN will not be united and members support one another on this issue, then what hope does that hold for the future of this so-called community?

Abang Di

Jerudong

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Palace unsure on rightful sultanate heir, about financier

Even President Aquino is unsure if Sultan Jamalul Kiram III is the rightful heir of the Sulu sultanate, whose dominion once encompassed the Sulu archipelago and North Borneo.

The President also doubted the sultan’s capability to finance an operation involving at least 235 followers who went to Sabah.

“We were given reports that they are not doing too well. And we are also told that there is quite a large amount of money involved in ferrying people on launches from Tawi-Tawi to Sabah,” he said.

Aquino asked: “Where did the funding come from? And who is funding them?”

“We are still collating evidence that this was not an action just on their part,” he added.

At a press conference in Malacañang, Aquino said the sultanate’s lineage appeared problematic since Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, whose reign ended in 1936, died without an heir.

He said he had ordered a study to establish the legal grounds for the claim of the sultanate over the oil-rich Malaysian state of Sabah. “It is quite an extensive study,” he said.

Sabah became part of Malaysia upon the formation of the Malaysian federation in 1963.

Amid the decades-old controversy hounding the royal house of Sulu, another question has cropped up: Was Jamalul’s order to send members of the sultanate’s royal army to Sabah valid?

The last sultan recognized by the Philippine government in 1974 was Ismael Kiram I. After his death, the government, along with other foreign states, declined to recognize the succeeding sultans even if they still commanded authority among the locals there, but in deference to their being royals, they were consulted on some issues hounding Sulu.

The sultanate drew public attention anew when Jamalul sent the “royal army” to Sabah on Feb. 12. However, questions, even those tossed by the foreign press, emerged over the validity of his order, as research showed that his reign as Sulu sultan supposedly ended in 1990.

In his stead, website sources cited by the foreign press—the Malaysian media included—pointed to his younger brother, Esmail Kiram II, as the reigning sultan. Even the website operated by the Sulu provincial government listed Ismael II as current sultan.

Crown prince

But Esmail told the Inquirer by phone on Tuesday that he was not the reigning sultan. He said his official title was “sultan bantilan (crown prince)” and Jamalul remains “Sulu ruler” and “ruler of Palawan and Sabah as well.”

“As far as the family is concerned, Jamalul is the reigning sultan,” he said.

Aided by a PowerPoint presentation, the President showed a slide containing the family tree of the Kiram clan that appeared to have suffered from a series of unfortunate events, triggering crises in royal succession because of the lack of a direct heir or death of the monarch.

“From Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, whose reign or term ended in 1936, I understand (that) he did not have any direct heirs,” Aquino said.

He cited research findings showing that Sultan Mawallil Wasit II, a younger brother of Kiram II, was the “next designated sultan who, unfortunately, died before he got crowned.” Jamalul III is a grand nephew of Sultan Mawallil Wasit (other translations use ‘Muwallil’).

The President did not mention Jamalul III’s father, but his deputy spokesperson, Abigail Valte, disclosed that the current sultan is the eldest son of the late Datu Rajah Muda Punjungan Kiram.

Lines of descendants

“So you have all of these lines of people who claim (to have descended from Jamalul II). You have all of these branches (competing) as to who should be the direct heir, or who should be rulers. And they have at least five people who are claiming to be the sultan of Sulu,” Aquino said.

“That is one of my first problems—who actually represents the sultanate of Sulu?” he asked.

Actually, the President said, two documents had yet to be studied. “So, it’s still a process that is still ongoing,” he said, referring to the agreements pertaining to the lease of Sabah to British North Borneo Co. by the sultanate in 1878.

During its heydays, the sultanate covered territory as far as North Borneo. Its warriors were feared for their swordsmanship. Brunei, which is also on Borneo Island, is ruled to this day by the Bolkiah clan, one of the Kiram clan’s relatives in the Malay Peninsula.

‘External forces’

Abraham Idjirani, the sultanate’s secretary general and spokesman, said the statements of Kiram’s cousin Fuad Kiram and nephew Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram questioning the legality of Kiram’s reign could be the handiwork of “external forces” out to torpedo the negotiations regarding the Sabah issue.

“They are misrepresenting themselves as (the sultan of Sulu). They are confusing the minds of the people, especially the non-Muslims,” Idjirani said in a press conference in Kiram’s home in Taguig City.

“They are instigated by external forces to create controversy and provide a strong basis for the Malaysian government to tell the heirs, ‘Before we negotiate with you, the heirs must unite first,’” he said.

Asked if the “external forces” included the Malaysian government, he said: “It’s not only the Malaysians, but above all it’s the Malaysian government.”

Esmail took a potshot at Malaysian authorities for declaring members of the royal army “foreign invaders.”

Lahad Datu was never foreign soil for the Tausug, he said, and Agbimuddin, his younger brother, has lived there since childhood.

Dipetik dari - Inquirer Global Nation

Titah KDYMM Sempena Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam Ke-29

Rakyat perlu mendukung usaha-usaha kerajaan

TITAH Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam Sempena Menyambut Ulang Tahun Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam Ke-29.

Assalamu'alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim Alhamdulillahi Rabbil'alameen, Wabihee Nasta'eenu 'Alaa Umuriddunyaa Waddeen,Wassalaatu Wassalaamu 'Alaa Asyrafil Mursaleen, Sayyidina Muhammadin, Wa'alaa Aalihee Wasahbihee Ajma'een, Waba'du.

KITA bersyukur ke hadrat Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala kerana dapat lagi menyambut Ulang TahunHari Kebangsaan kita. Sambutan pada kali ini ialah sambutan yang ke 29.

Ulang tahun itu kita peringati kerana ia adalah sejarah kita, sejarah menjawat kemerdekaan.

Kita jawat kemerdekaan itu dengan takbir Allahu Akbar iaitu suatu cara tersendiri yang tidak pernah berlaku di mana-mana.

Cara ini tentu saja tidak kosong daripada hikmah. Malah beta melihatnya sebagai satu alamat baik kepada Brunei, yang kini sudahpun jadi kenyataan dikenali sebagai Negara Zikir atau Negara MIB.

Begitulah, semua itu berlaku tentu saja dengan izin dan kehendak Allah jua.

Dengan berkat kalimat Allahu Akhbar kemerdekaan tanah air telah membuahkan hasil yang sangat lumayan berupa keamanan dan kemakmuran serta Ugama Islam bersinar-sinar menjadi pegangan dan amalan di Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Begitu juga dengan berkat kalimat ini, kita telah ditakdirkan dapat melakukan beberapa tanggungjawab besar untuk negara.

Ini semua, kita jangan lupa berlaku dalam era setelah merdeka. Mengingat ini, kita sepatutnya akan lebih-lebih lagi menyayangi kemerdekaan itu.

Tanda orang sayang sangatlah mudah dikenali. Hatinya telus kepada bangsa dan budinya pula luhur, suka berjasa. Dia tidak mahu dilihat sebagai lemah manakala berlaku sesuatu kepada negaranya.

Inilah dia sikap yang patut dimiliki oleh setiap diri individu yang bernama rakyat jelata.

Rakyat jelata yang sensitif lagi patriotik sangatlah diperlukan oleh negara terutama mereka yang dari kalangan generasi muda serta para belia kerana mereka itu adalah pewaris masa depan kita.

Masa depan akan suram jika mereka itu tidak terlibat membina negara. Mereka mesti turut berkecimpung dalam setiap aktiviti kenegaraan sekurang-kurangnya menjadi penyumbang moral yang aktif.

Contoh sumbangan moral itu ialah seperti menjadi rakyat yang baik, yang ikhlas lagi amanah serta taat dan mematuhi undang-undang dan tidak membebani negara dengan perbuatan-perbuatan anti sosial atau asyik dengan berseronok-seronok semata-mata.

Berseronok yang melampau-lampau boleh melemahkan jentera masyarakat kerana tiada apa yang dapat ditunggu daripadanya kecuali kerugian jua.

Kerana itu, menurut kaum cerdik pandai untuk menjadi bangsa yang maju dan kuat, kenalah kita mengurangkan berseronok dan menggantikannya dengan banyak bekerja dan berfikir.

Elakkan dari menurutkan rasa hati tanpa banyak menimbang dan berfikir dan ingatlah bahawa berfikir itu adalah mahkota hidup.

Atas rasional inilah, kerajaan beta menguatkan pendidikan iaitu selaku pemangkin kepada kemajuan. Komitmen kerajaan dalam bidang ini adalah menyeluruh untuk sekalian rakyat tanpa mengira suku atau kaum.

Ia juga adalah antara objektif Wawasan 2035 untuk melahirkan rakyat terpelajar lagi berkemahiran sebagai pra syarat membolehkan kita bersaing ditengah-tengah kemajuan global.

Beta mahu biarlah rakyat responsif terhadap usaha-usaha kerajaan untuk negara.

Sekurang-kurangnya mereka itu dapat memahami aspirasi kerajaan melakukan sesuatu rancangan itu. Mereka tidak boleh lepas pandang atau berkata tidak tahu kerana perbuatan lepas pandang atau berkata tidak tahu itu adalah amat memalukan bagi suatu bangsa yang sedang membangun.

Dalam era perlumbaan hari ini, kita selaku rakyat tidaklah boleh tercicir dari turut mendukung gagasan negara. Jika tercicir, bermakna kita tertinggal di belakang dan terpinggir.

Siapapun juga, mestilah turut berkayuh menuju matlamat yang dituju. Jangan ada yang angkat pengayuh atau enggan berkayuh tetapi mesti sama-sama berkayuh barulah namanya kita sejiwa mencipta masa depan yang cerah.

Pada tahun ini saja, ada beberapa rancangan besar yang memerlukan komitmen rakyat.

Dalam perkara agama, kita sudahpun menguatkuasakan 'Perintah Pendidikan Ugama Wajib 2012' yang melibatkan seluruh rakyat dan penduduk yang beragama Islam. Kemudian seiringan itu kita juga telah berjaya mewujudkan 'Perintah Kanun Hukuman Jenayah Syar'iah' yang memerlukan dukungan dan sokongan penuh rakyat.

Demikian juga kita telah menguatkuasakan peraturan menutup sementara premis-premis perniagaan pada hari Jumaat sehingga selesai menunaikan Fardu Juma'at.

Ini semua adalah langkah-langkah besar ke arah peningkatan. Sayugia diingat bahawa kita membangun adalah meliputi pembangunan fizikal dan rohani. Malah pembangunan jenis kedua inilah yang lebih-lebih lagi dituntut kerana impaknya mencakup dua keuntungan sekaligus: keuntungan dunia dan keuntungan di akhirat.

Sebab itu, adalah sedikit dikesali jika terdapat pendirian kurang gembira dengan peraturan ini dengan menganggapnya sebagai menjejaskan ekonomi.

Beta sudahpun menyebut bahawa peraturan ini penting untuk menjaga imej negara dan juga imej Islam sendiri.

Kedua-duanya itu kita mahu supaya terpelihara dan sentiasa indah.

Ini sama halnya apabila kita melarang dari dihidangkan arak di dalam penerbangan, ada yang berkata rugi kerana penerbangan akan dikhuatiri tidak laku. Tetapi orang tidak ingat keuntungan di akhirat dan keuntungan rahmat serta berkat daripada Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala. Dan malah orang tidak nampak bahawa dengan kehendak Allah jua penerbangan yang menghidangkan arak pun boleh juga rugi, bahkan lebih besar kerugian daripada kita yang tidak menghidangkan arak.

Ini membawa makna, perkiraan untung rugi itu adalah semata-mata relatif jua di mana yang betulnya kita hendaklah menerima dan membuat apa-apa jua yang terbaik dengan berpandukan janji Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala.

Inilah cara kita mengisi kemerdekaan sambil mensyukurinya.

Kita boleh isi ia dengan seberapa banyak jua rancangan atau aktiviti yang berkebajikan, insya-Allah kita dan negara tidak akan dihampakan.

Akhirnya, beta dengan ikhlas merakamkan ucapan penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada ahli-ahli Jawatankuasa Tertinggi dan lain-lain Jawatankuasa Sambutan Perayaan Ulang Tahun Ke-29 Hari Kebangsaan dan semua peserta serta petugas yang turut berusaha untuk menjayakan perayaan ini.

Beta juga mengucapkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada semua lapisan rakyat termasuk semua peringkat warga Perkhidmatan Awam meliputi mereka yang bertugas di luar negara, Pasukan-Pasukan Keselematan serta mereka yang berkhidmat di sektor swasta dengan iringan doa semoga Allah memberkati kita dan negara.

Amin.

Sekian, Wabillahit Taufeq Walhidayah, Wassalamu'alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Selamat Menyambut Ulang Tahun Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam Ke-29

Sustainable development of maritime resources vital

Syazwan Sadikin
BRUNEI-MUARA

ALL activities of the maritime sector in Brunei should be conducted in line with the concept of sustainable development as part of efforts towards turning the country into one of the world's most significant maritime nations, said the Minister of Communications yesterday.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar who delivered his speech after officiating at Green Port Initiative at the Ports Department yesterday talked extensively on sustainable development in the local maritime sector.

The minister said that as Brunei aspired to emerge as a developed country, the contribution and the role of its maritime sector to fulfil this aim had been highlighted and was becoming more significant.

He said that stakeholders should focus on the philosophy of sustainable development in the local maritime sector including protecting the environment when developing maritime infrastructure and in promoting maritime economic activities such as shipping, fisheries and offshore oil and gas exploration and production.

As the maritime sector continues to have an increased importance in the nation's economy, YB Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah said that it had become critical for stakeholder with interests in the maritime sector to create an organised plan and develop economic maritime activities in support of defending the country's maritime interests. "Activities relating to maritime protection as well as joint initiatives in this sector should be planned with care and continuously promoted in accordance with fulfilling the needs of sustainable development," said the minister.

He added that sustainable development should be made as the main aspiration in planning the maritime economy in Brunei to guarantee that future generations will appreciate the environment as well as maritime resources that have been preserved.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah hopes that soon-to-be implemented Maritime Master Plan will further develop the maritime industry of Brunei and further assist in achieving the intended aim in an exceptional, organised and effective manner. "With that, it is appropriate that the activities relating to this critical sector should be planned, implemented and managed in accordance to an eco-friendly philosophy to ensure that the resources and nation's maritime assets are preserved for future generations," said the minister.

The ministry, said YB Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah, takes the issue of solving pollution relating to the transportation sector very seriously as it is part of the ministry's core strategic plan for a safe and clean environment. The initiative towards a Green Port, said the minister, would fulfil the aim by providing an action plan based on international good practices and management programmes based on environment, safety and health towards developing maritime activities based on the principles of strong development and sustainability. "The initiative towards a Green Port is not only limited to the conservation of the environment and its resources, but also covers management of human resources and finance as well as physical building," said the minister.

This concept, said the minister, would be included in the planning and management of Muara Port Container Expansion Project in the 10th National Development Plan (RKN) project which will be implemented by the Ports Department in a short time.

He went on to say that as an important part of Brunei's economic success, it was critical that the country should maintain and enhance its efforts to balance the growth of the maritime sector in terms of the preservation of the environment, its resources and development. The minister said that aspects of preserving the environment should be stressed in development, implementation, administration and monitoring maritime economic activities through effective steps such as "Environmental Impact Assessment" for every development project around the maritime area.

"A well organised plan should be stressed in the management of the port's area including the coast to prevent and minimise pollution," said the minister.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah raised the importance of conservation of the eco-system and biodiversity and in in preserving the resources of maritime economy such as shipping, development and port operation. "If left unchecked and not eco-friendly can contribute to the maritime pollution," said the minister.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Sabah: Where does it belong, Phl or Malaysia?

What’s happening in Sabah? A hundred fully armed Filipinos are holed up in a remote coastal town since last Wednesday in order to press the claim of the Sultanate of Sulu and Sabah that Sabah belongs to the family of Sultan Muhammad Fuad Abdulla Kiram, the 35th De Jure Reigning Sultan. The Sultan is also head of the Sultanate & head of Islam in the Royal Hashemite Sultanate of Sulu and of Sabah. So we ask, are these people crazy or are they trying to recover what the Sultan of Sulu legitimately owns?

I’m glad that the Aquino regime is very cautious regarding the disturbing moves happening in Sabah these days. After all, it recently signed a framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), but as we already wrote before because they apparently left out the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) because they just don’t like Nur Misuari.

But since we are talking peace with the MILF, we must do the same for the MNLF despite Nur Misuari who during the 2nd MNLF Peace Summit on May 24, 2008 in Davao City, he, before the presence of the Sultan of Sulu and Sabah, Muhammad Fuad A. Kiram I, held a sword and vowed to work for the return of Sabah to the Royal Sultanate of Sulu by peaceful means. So the question goes back to the hundred armed men in Sabah: are they trying to recover Malaysia through peaceful means? That they are armed to the teeth makes us suspicious of their moves.

But if there is anything that the Aquino regime should avoid at all cost it is opening two fronts that could trigger a war with one of our ASEAN neighbors. It’s bad enough that we are having territorial problems with China in Scarborough shoal, which they are claiming as theirs from their past history maps. Let’s just hope this issue in Sabah can be diffused peacefully. With that said, we must also go back to history on whether the claim of the Sultan of Sulu and of Sabah is legitimate or not.

Some history books tell us that pre-Spanish Philippines were mostly inhabited by Muslims. This maybe true to most of Mindanao, but not to Cebu. If you recall, when Ferdinand Magellan’s Armada de Moluccas anchored off to what is now downtown Cebu City in 1521, he was greeted by Rajah Humabon. Ask yourselves, what country uses Rajah or Maharajah? Muslim kings are called Datus… but it was a Rajah that greeted the Spaniards because Cebu and the Visayas was part of the Sri-Vishaya Empire, which means our Cebuano ancestors had a Hindu, not a Muslim past.

If at all we’ve never found any peace in Mindanao, it is due to the fact that there are just so many unresolved issues that no one dared or cared to fix. While the Spaniards colonized much of the Philippine Archipelago, they really didn’t do well in Southern Mindanao, except in Zamboanga City.

Back in Jan. 22, 1878, Sabah then under Sultan Jamalal Ahlam Kiram of Sulu and Sabah were leased to a British company represented by Gustavus Baron de Overbeck of Hong Kong and Alfred Dent, Esquire of London for a princely sum (at that time) of $5,000 annually. Today Sabah under Malaysia pumps nearly one million barrels of oil per day in Sabah, which is estimated at $75 million per day. This does not include the other things that Sabah produces like timber, forest and agriculture products.

According to reports I’ve read, Malaysia pays the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu an annual rent of $1,500, which is far lower than what they got from the British… and peanuts if you consider the income Malaysia gets from Sabah’s oil fields. No wonder, Sultan Kiram I minced no words when he insisted that “The continued occupation of Sabah by Malaysia is illegal and it must end.” So the big question we ought to ask is whether we should help Sultan Kiram I recover Sabah from Malaysia. If it is ours, then we must.

What’s more interesting for us in the Philippines is that, then Sultan Muhammad Esmail Kiram who ruled as Sultan of Sulu and Sabah in 1947-1973, wrote and signed on Jan. 22, 1958 an “Instrument of Cessation” declaring the lease to the British Company since Jan. 22, 1878 as “terminated”. There’s more! On April 24, 1962, Sultan Esmail Kiram signed an instrument recognizing, admitting and accepting the ultimate sovereignty, title and dominion of the Republic of the Philippines over their North Borneo Territory without prejudice to the proprietary rights of the heirs of the Sultan Kiram.

On Sept. 12, 1962, the Philippines, then under President Diosdado Macapagal with Vice-President Emmanuel Pelaez formally accepted this instrument giving Philippine sovereignty to Sabah. But on Aug. 31, 1963, Malaysia was granted Independence by the British. So for all intents and purposes… we got Sabah first before Malaysia could be independent. So why is the Philippines ignoring this fact? That Malaysia pays its annual “rent” to the Sultan is proof that the Sultan’s claim is legitimate. There’s more on this.

Dipetik dari - The Philippine Star

Di ambang Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam ke 29

OPINION: Let us make our oil and gas industry totally Brunei oriented

I AM writing in response to a letter written by Pg Hj Abd Rahman Pg Hj Omar in the Opinion Page of Weekend Borneo Bulletin dated January 26, 2013 titled ‘How About Matching Up To Petronas’.

I would like to add more about Petronas which I hope our authority here can emulate. After oil was discovered offshore the State of Trengganu, Malaysia in 1974, the then Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein formed Petronas. The purpose was to take part in the oil exploration.

During its incorporation it was headed by a young 28-year-old Prince from Kelantan, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. Students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) were groomed as future players in the Petroleum Industry. The best and brightest students were sent to Texas, America to study about Petroleum Technology. By early eighties, Malaysia had produced a few with doctorates in Petroleum.

At the early stage, Petronas did the oil exploration and production in joint venture with ESSO. A joint venture company was incorporated which was called ESSO Petronas Malaysia Incorporation (EPMI) and they did jointly oil production offshore Trengganu. By early eighties, under the then leadership of Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Petronas went international. By then they already had the expertise and experience to go it alone.

Presently Petronas is active in oil production in more than 20 countries – including in warzone South Sudan, Vietnam, Cambodia and few Arab countries to name a few. Few years back Petronas was also in a joint venture with Shell being awarded a concession by the new Iraqi Government to produce oil in one of the largest oil reserves in the world in Mosul, Iraq. And Brunei also gave Petronas 40-year rights to produce oil offshore Brunei namely in Block L and M beginning 2008.

In all places that Petronas has oil production activities, they employ only Malaysian staff.

For example, in South Sudan, they created a Malaysian village and were not in need of any foreign experts to assist them.

Petronas is already an international brand on par with ESSO, Shell, BP, TOTAL or any other international oil giants. They have even surpassed PERTAMINA of Indonesia although it was incorporated much earlier as to date PERTAMINA only operates in Indonesia.

Petronas also acts as a catalyst for business for Malaysians apart from providing employment.

Supply and services are done by fully Malaysian-owned companies. All the tanker ships that transport crude oil from Petronas-owned platforms to the refineries are also Malaysian-owned namely Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC), Scomi Berhad, Halim Mazmin Berhad and Dayang Berhad, a Sarawak Company which employs mostly Malaysian crew.

There are now thousands of petrol stations under the brand name Petronas in Malaysia which is mostly Bumiputra owned.

The stations also act as a mini supermarket and international brand restaurants namely McDonald, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Burger King.

Petronas brand petrol stations are also active in Thailand.

One of the biggest achievements of Petronas is also the creation of Petronas University in Perak, Malaysia whereby they teach and train young Malaysians about Petroleum Technology.

Now coming back to Brunei, we are left wondering when we can replace those foreign engineers with Bruneian engineers. When can Shell train enough Bruneian experts to take over from foreigners?

It is not enough sending Bruneian staff for attachment in foreign countries as it only helps them to earn more by getting more allowances but not learn more as basically they are doing the same as they did in Brunei.

Why not we ask Shell to sponsor and Brunei ask the Malaysian authority to allow Brunei students to study at Petronas University?

By doing so we will learn specifically about Petroleum Technology and hopefully we can produce many Bruneian engineers who are well versed in Petroleum Technology.

And we don’t really need to rely on those foreign engineers anymore.

In the same issue of Weekend Borneo Bulletin in Page 28 it was also reported that Shell and Ukraine inked a $10B shale gas deal.

Now since Shell has made some of their fortune in Brunei, why not we ask them to include us in this Ukraine deal, either in active participation or as shareholders?

Or better still, since we have given Petronas a 40-year rights to our oil reserve, why not Shell and Petronas include us in their joint venture to produce oil in Mosul, Iraq as a third partner?

Or better still from Petronas, how about including us in your activity in your new found oil reserves off Kota Kinabalu, Sabah?

I do hope that the Brunei Authority can look into this matter.

- Emzed, BSB

Dipetik dari - Borneo Bulletin

Civil Service Told To Shed Its Negative Image

Bandar Seri Begawan - If the negative perception associated with the Civil Service, coupled with bureaucracy due to lengthy and cumbersome workflow and procedures, is not stamped out it will continue to tarnish the public's perception of the Civil Service, the Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office said.

"The reality is that we keep on hearing some of the public's grievances on the quality of service being delivered. It has always been deemed as slow, less efficient, uncommitted and irrelevant with the pace of time and is not customer friendly. A number of our customers still expect a better, faster, effective, impeccable and straightforward service delivery," Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Haji Abd Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim said in a speech at the launching of the Ministry of Finance (MoF)'s Customer Day at the MoF Building yesterday.

He added that this disappointing issue has always been a matter of concern which should be eradicated to uphold and maintain the Civil Service's image. "One way is to enhance the level of commitment and integrity of the Civil Service officers and staff so that they can be more proactive, responsible, disciplined and responsive to changes and public's expectations," he said.

Earlier in his speech, the minister highlighted the Civil Service's vital role in the country's development. "It has to be efficient and smart and must look ahead in fulfilling requests and expectations of its customers, especially in these times of rapid modernisation where customers' expectations are increasing and becoming more sophisticated."

The minister also urged the MoF and its department's workforce to continuously strive to increase their level of commitment in exploring opportunities that can pave way to steps in improving the level of service in their respective organisations. "This includes devising strategies that are adaptive in nature to ensure all existing operational systems, processes and work procedures will be re-evaluated and reviewed from time to time in ensuring relevance to changes, time and environment. This is in line with the 'good governance' concept that does not just contribute to increase in productivity, even integrity and discipline of Civil Service on the whole," he said.

The minister also urged Civil Servants to optimise the use of latest technology as a tool that can enable effective, faster and seamless service delivery in the implementation of reforms and improvement leading to the modernisation of service delivery. Civil Servants must practise open attitude, positive thinking and be aware of the rapid developments in information and communication technology today They need to understand the needs or preferences of the customers, private sector, non-governmental organisations and the public," he added.

Touching on the flagship project by the ministry, the Brunei Darussalam National Single Window (BDNSW), which was launched yesterday, the minister said it is envisaged as an online platform for the exchange and delivery of information between entrepreneurs or the public and government agencies, which simplifies declarations, verification and approval with the use of just one declaration. "We hope this will contribute to an improvement in Brunei's ranking in the Ease of Doing Business Annual Report, especially in the 'Trading Across Borders' indicator," he said.

The minister also welcomed the Administration Section of the MoF's publication of a brochure for 'Guidelines on Attending Customers via Telephone' yesterday. "We hope this will encourage the practice of a customer-friendly culture and professionalism in answering calls and in attending customers, towards enhancing the image of MoF and its departments." ~ Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Dipetik dari - BruDirect.com

Hayati patriotisme

Oleh Sim Y. H.

TUTONG, 12 Feb - Mengibarkan bendera kebangsaan di hari-hari kenegaraan yang tertentu bukan seharusnya menjadi satu bebanan atau perkara yang menyukarkan tetapi harus menjadi satu tanggungjawab yang perlu dilakukan serta menjadi satu panggilan yang dinanti-nantikan dan untuk disemarakkan.

Perkara penting yang harus diingat ketika mengibarkan bendera adalah untuk dilakukan dengan sepenuh jiwa raga, menghormati dan menghayati keistimewaan status dan kedudukan bendera kebangsaan sebagai simbol bangsa serta negara yang merdeka dan berdaulat yang mempunyai kegemilangan serta kecemerlangan.

Ini ditegaskan oleh Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Haji Hazair Haji Abdullah ketika berucap di Majlis Utama Pengagihan Bendera Kecil (Meja) Bagi Penuntut-Penuntut Sekolah Rendah, Menengah dan Institusi Pengajian Islam Sempena Sambutan Ulang Tahun Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam ke-29 bagi Sekolah Rendah Pengiran Kesuma Negara (PKN), Bukit Beruang, Tutong, hari ini.

"Apabila bendera kebangsaan berkibar di halaman rumah kita dan di merata tempat serta pelosok negara, ia hendaklah dilihat melebihi daripada sebatang tiang yang tersangkut padanya secebis kain akan tetapi sebagai sebatang tiang yang terpacak gagah yang mengibarkan lambang dan identiti bangsa dan negara yang berdaulat dan merdeka.

"Apabila tiang dan bendera tersebut dipandang, akan menyentuh perasaan hati dan jiwa kita yang mencetuskan semangat sebagai rakyat yang cintakan kepada raja, bangsa, negara dan ugama."

Yang Berhormat Pehin berkata, para penuntut selaku pewaris kepada bangsa dan negara harus menanamkan dari awal lagi semangat mempertahankan, memartabatkan serta menjaga kemuliaan dan kehormatan bendera kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam yang merupakan maruah bangsa dan negara.

Beliau percaya bahawa dengan pengagihan bendera kecil meja itu, dapat meningkatkan lagi semangat para penuntut cintakan raja, bangsa, negara dan ugama.

"Ia akan dapat menanamkan semangat patriotisme di kalangan murid-murid dan penuntut-penuntut dan rasa cinta kepada Bendera Negara, menghormatinya dan menjaga kemuliaannya sebagai lambang dan bukti kebebasan yang kita nikmati selama ini."

Hadir sama di majlis berkenaan ialah Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Negara dan Penghulu Mukim Telisai, Yang Berhormat Haji Ramli bin Haji Lahit, Timbalan Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pendidikan, Awangku Abdullah bin Pengiran Tengah, ketua-ketua jabatan, pegawai kanan, penghulu mukim serta jemputan khas.

Di majlis berkenaan, lagu Kibarkan Bendera dan Tekad Kemerdekaan telah dipersembahkan oleh murid-murid dari Sekolah Rendah PKN Bukit Beruang dan Sekolah Rendah Perpindahan Kampung Bukit Beruang dan diikuti dengan pengagihan bendera kecil meja yang disempurnakan oleh Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Hazair.

Sebanyak 330 bendera kecil meja telah diagih-agihkan kepada Sekolah Rendah Pengiran Kesuma Negara dan sebanyak 200 bendera lagi diagihkan kepada Sekolah Rendah Perpindahan Kampung Bukit Beruang.

Majlis yang serupa turut diadakan di seluruh negara di mana, lebih daripada 30,000 murid dan penuntut di semua daerah di seluruh negara dijangka akan menerima bendera-bendera kebangsaan kecil di bawah inisiatif untuk menyemai perasaan cintakan negara dan patriotisme di kalangan golongan tunas bangsa iaitu murid-murid dan penuntut-penuntut sekolah.

Pengagihan bendera kecil meja itu merupakan acara yang diadakan Sempena Sambutan Ulang Tahun Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam dan adalah kesinambungan majlis-majlis sambutan menaikkan bendera besar.

Ia juga dihasratkan untuk menanamkan semangat patriotisme dan rasa cinta kepada bendera negara, menghormatinya dan menjaga kemuliaannya sebagai lambang kedaulatan negara.

Pada masa yang sama, ia turut diharap dapat mendisiplinkan diri penuntut serta merasa megah dan bangga kerana dapat sama-sama memeriahkan lagi suasana Sambutan Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam ke-29.

Dipetik dari - Media Permata

Spain’s King Juan Carlos seeks to stem the opprobrium

The monarch’s eroding popularity was underlined once again at the weekend when he was booed at a sporting event. So far, his efforts to win back Spaniards’ support don’t seem to have paid off.

By Guy Hedgecoe

Not so long ago, the boos that echoed around Vitoria’s Buesa Arena on the arrival of King Juan Carlos for the basketball Copa del Rey final at the weekend would have surprised many Spaniards and scandalised quite a few others.

Such an open display of hostility towards the monarch would have been almost unthinkable. And yet on Sunday, when the booing was so loud that the playing of the national anthem ahead of the game between Barcelona and Valencia was cut short, it no longer seemed all that surprising or shocking, such is the sliding esteem of the Spanish royal family.

The most defining moment of the reign of Juan Carlos now looks so far away it could be from another era. In 1981, the young monarch helped quash a coup d’etat by right-wing civil guards, firmly telling the nation in a televised address that the newly democratised Spain would not tolerate the putsch. The gesture secured a place for him in the hearts of many Spaniards.

But his most humbling public experience, 31 years later, was also televised. In April of 2012, it was revealed that the king had broken his hip while hunting elephants in Botswana. The fact he was enjoying a lavish, environmentally unfriendly holiday just as the Spanish economy was sinking to a new nadir sparked a severe backlash.

As he left hospital, a frail-looking Juan Carlos meekly told television viewers: “I’m very sorry. I made a mistake and it won’t happen again.”

“This is an unprecedented moment because the king has never before had so little popularity among Spaniards,” Josep Lobera, an independent polling expert, told Iberosphere. Only 53 percent of people now believe Spain needs a monarchy, down from around 70 percent five years ago.

The elephant-hunting scandal has contributed to this erosion of support. But so too has the economic crisis. The financial woes of Spaniards have accentuated the errors and ethical shortfalls of some of their country’s biggest institutions. Banks, the judiciary and the political system are all victims of this phenomenon. So too is the monarchy.

But the Spanish royals have also been hurt by a corruption case in which the king’s son-in-law, Iñaki Urdangarin, is implicated. The former handball player, who is married to the king’s younger daughter Cristina, is being investigated for allegedly embezzling public funds when he was head of a charity. Carlos García Revenga, the former secretary of Cristina and her sister Elena, has also come under scrutiny for combining his royal duties with work at the charity in question.

A recent El País editorial warned that “the impression is growing that the alleged corruption, tax fraud and other crimes being investigated affect people under the employment of the royal family.”

As part of a strategy to stem the opprobrium, last month, the royal family revealed its budget for 2013 had been cut by four percent.

No tough questions

And in an attempt to restore his own image, Juan Carlos has once again used the camera. In January he turned 75, and as part of the low-key celebrations, the first television interview with him for 12 years was broadcast. It was soft and seemingly choreographed, with no probing questions about the king’s hunting exploits or controversial son-in-law. But it highlighted his efforts to improve the royal family’s image.

“His health is terrible but he has good advisers,” Paul Preston, a biographer of Juan Carlos and author of The Spanish Holocaust, told Iberosphere.

Preston contrasts the situation in the UK, where the queen is enjoying high levels of popularity following well-orchestrated Jubilee celebrations, with Spain, where the royal family is battling to save its image and economic austerity is more pronounced.

“The Spanish monarchy would not be able to do the whole pomp and razzmatazz , but what they are doing – the TV appearances and so on – is a start,” he says.

Whether it is enough is another matter. The corruption allegations surrounding Urdangarin have tainted the whole family by association, while the elephant-hunting furore focused outrage specifically on Juan Carlos. It helped capsize the traditional view of him as a hands-on monarch who related to his people much more easily than, say, the British queen.

And while prying into the private lives of the royals used to be strictly off-limits for the Spanish press, lately the media have fewer scruples when it comes to publishing lurid or insinuating stories about Juan Carlos.

Twenty-first century makeover

The royal family’s image makeover – which has included publishing some details of its finances and relatively dynamic new appointments as heads of the royal household and its press department – is a far cry from Juan Carlos’s years as a young monarch. As a prince, he was groomed to succeed dictator Francisco Franco as the head of a repressive right-wing regime. Instead of following the wishes of the dictator, on being crowned king he played a crucial role in ushering in democracy. Preston points to the “amazing capacity for self-sacrifice, courage and dedication” that Juan Carlos displayed after Franco’s death in 1975 through until democracy had been established.

That process, now reverentially known as “la Transición”, laid the foundations for Spain’s rapid development and mostly destroyed the common view of Juan Carlos as a right-wing puppet. His decisive action during the 1981 coup sealed his credibility as a courageous democrat.

But as Josep Lobera points out, that key period in Spanish history now looks a long way off to young people.

“People who are under 35 don’t see the Transition – and the king – in such a good light as older Spaniards,” he says. “This is the first generation not to feel that emotional link to the king due to what he did in the past.”

This may help explain why the popularity of Juan Carlos’s son, Felipe, who just turned 45, has remained relatively constant, because he came of age well after the Transition. His ability to avoid scandals of his own while other members of his family are mired in bad publicity has added to his gravitas and status as the heir-in-waiting.

These days, the king focuses much of his energy on promoting Spanish trade abroad rather than safeguarding democracy. By all accounts he excels in this role, due in great part to what Preston calls his “incredible affability”.

“He’s our best ambassador. If he travels with us, we do business,” the vice-president of Spain’s employers’ association, Arturo Fernández, told El País newspaper recently.

But with Juan Carlos no longer basking in the same glowing admiration of Spaniards that he once enjoyed, his biggest challenge now is to market not his country, but himself and his family, as a viable enterprise.

Dipetik dari - Iberosphere

Drop In PSR Results A Concern

Ministry heeds His Majesty's call, looks into root cause of the problem
Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Education is concerned with a slight decline in last year's Primary School Assessment (PSR) results.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam had mentioned about this in his New Year titah and urged the authorities to look into and make serious efforts to improve it and find the root cause as to why some of the students could not master the basic skills.

"Probably, the teacher education and training needs to be stepped up," the ruler said.

A closed door dialogue session between the Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education, Dr Hj Junaidi bin Hj Abd Rahman with primary and secondary school and college leaders of Brunei-Muara and Temburong districts was held at Rimba II Primary School yesterday.

The Acting Director of Schools at the Ministry of Education, Awg Hj Kassim bin Mohd Yassin said last year's PSR results were not encouraging and for schools to tackle this, school leaders must ensure that projects are assessed especially with regards to literacy and numeracy. It should not be done without monitoring and evaluation.

The Primary Education Division took note of the achievements of PSR students in mathematics and one of the programmes that has been arranged is through the cooperation of the Curriculum Department and the School Inspectorate to ensure better results in PSR especially in mathematics.

His Majesty in the New Year titah underlined the need to acquire quality workforce. "This effort won't bear fruit if we fail to equip schoolchildren with basic skills such as reading, writing and numeracy. This is crucial and should become a culture as progressive people are those who are strong in reading, writing and know how to calculate," His Majesty said.

Dr Hj Junaidi said the dialogue was to hear from the school leaders on the status of the programmes and issues faced in carrying out their duties as principals. He said the Ministry of Education has carried out many programmes not only in the context of the National Education System for 21st century (SPN21) but also in other fields.

The dialogue was to gain feedback on the initiatives undertaken as well as to give opportunities for them to raise questions for the Ministry of Education to assist.

It was not just merely on strategic matters but also on issues like teaching and learning especially pertaining to the curriculum in the context of SPN21, on assessment like exam and test, school administration and on continuous development programmes for teachers.

The dialogue also touched on infrastructure and facilities. It was not meant to find faults with anyone but to seek solutions.

The dialogue was an effort undertaken to nurture two-way communications more effectively among school leaders and the management to discuss about school achievement and strive towards excellence, educational development and quality.

Awg Hj Kassim added that the dialogue should be utilised wisely by the school leaders to share any grievances and to share any programmes implemented at the respective schools in order to improve PSR results. ~ Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Dipetik dari - BruDirect.com

Draf Kanun Jenayah Syari'ah siap

Oleh Azlan Othman

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 7 Feb - Draf Perintah Kanun Jenayah Syari'ah telah siap dan sedang dalam proses disemak oleh Pejabat Peguam Negara sebelum ia dilaksanakan sebagai undang-undang negara.

Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abd Rahman berkata Kanun Jenayah Syari'ah (CPC Syari'ah) serta Perintah seumpamanya sedang dikaji sekarang dan sedang memasuki sebutan kedua oleh anggota Majlis Ugama Islam.

"CPC Syari'ah atau peraturan-peraturan membantu memudahkan pelaksanaan Perintah sedemikian. Biasanya setiap draf undang-undang akan dibaca tiga kali. Kami dapat bayangkan betapa sukarnya untuk menghasilkan satu akta atau peraturan," katanya semasa berucap pada sesi dialog bersama Ahli-ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Negara sebelum mesyuarat tertutup dengan mereka hari ini.

Mesyuarat tahunan MMN dijangka bersidang pada awal bulan depan.

Dipetik dari - Media Permata

US vows support on sea code

Quratul-Ain Bandial
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE head of US Pacific Command said the United States pledges its support for Brunei to conclude a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea, while also urging closer relations between ASEAN and China.

"The US role is to be supportive of ASEAN and be supportive of Brunei and its leadership role (as ASEAN chair)," Admiral Samuel Locklear told reporters in the capital yesterday.

The military commander, who is in Brunei for a three-day visit, said the region "desperately" needs a code of conduct to contain tensions in the resource-rich South China Sea, where China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines all have overlapping claims.

He said a code of conduct would govern how military and law enforcement from claimant countries interacts in the disputed waters. Several skirmishes between Chinese military and Filipino and Vietnamese forces have escalated tensions to new heights in recent years.

However, Locklear shied away from saying the US will directly intervene on ASEAN's behalf in negotiations: "Ultimately, it will be up to ASEAN and China to come to terms with what that code of conduct looks like. We're very supportive of it and hope that it comes quickly."

Speaking during a visit to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces' Officer Cadet School, he added that the US believes in claimants' right to seek resolution through international arbitration - such as a UN tribunal - a move that the Philippines has chosen to pursue in its territorial dispute with China.

"We are very supportive of using international forums to deal with these types of disputes... My perspective is that we should be using the vehicles that are recognised internationally as legal frameworks to bring these issues to the forefront and have them looked at and adjudicated."

China has rejected the Philippines' attempts to involve international parties, urging them to settle the matter bilaterally.

The US commander - who overseas more than 325,000 personnel, about a fifth of the US's military strength - also urged ASEAN countries and China to forge closer relations.

"As we move forward the relationship between ASEAN and China needs to be closer... I hope the Chinese will respect the leadership and position of ASEAN over time," he said.

"It's in their best interest to be a partner with ASEAN and to start developing things like a code of conduct."

Brunei's Deputy Defence Minister Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat added there should be no suspicion over the US's role in the region.

"I think Admiral Locklear's talk was very clear to me and there shouldn't be any doubt in the role and responsibility of US Pacific Command in the Asia Pacific area," he told The Brunei Times.

Brunei claims an area of the South China Sea which it considers its exclusive economic zone (200 nautical miles from shore) as defined by UN law, but China claims almost 95 per cent of this area, which covers crucial shipping lanes and potential hydrocarbon reserves.

However, the tiny oil-rich nation does not see any benefit in quibbling with the regional giant, preferring to employ defence diplomacy to enhance its relationship with Beijing, in the hope of eventually coming to a solution over the territorial dispute.

"Defence elements are always important in peace and security. We hope to build confidence measures, and be open and transparent in our process and hopefully there's no misunderstanding or mistrust among the countries concerned, especially in defence. Our whole objective is to enhance interactions," said Dato Hj Mustappa. As Brunei chairs the ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting (ADMM) in May, the deputy defence minister said it was crucial for Brunei to develop the right approach to make the meeting a success. "Hopefully during the ADMM in Brunei, we will be able to create the kind of environment where everybody sees the importance of this forum and the need for them to be there and involved in dialogue and consultation." "(We want) to avoid any misunderstanding on how we are going to deal with matters. So definitely we will provide opportunities for ministers to address issues but it has to be translated into some sort of strong commitment to strengthen our defence cooperation."

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Kes denggi naik 10 kali ganda

Oleh Sim Y. H.

TUTONG, 5 Feb - Kes deman denggi di Negara Brunei Darussalam pada 2012 mencatatkan peningkatan iaitu sebanyak 282 kes berbanding 2011 dengan hanya 25 kes dilaporkan.

Walaupun peningkatan kes demam denggi pada 2012 adalah kira-kira 10 kali ganda dari 2011, namun begitu tidak ada kes demam denggi berdarah atau kematian akibat demam denggi berlaku.

Jumlah peningkatan itu merupakan satu peningkatan yang sangat drastik dan didapati juga kebanyakan kes yang dilaporkan itu berlaku di kawasan darat serta tidak seperti tahun-tahun sebelumnya di mana kebanyakan kes berlaku di Kampung Ayer.

"Ini menunjukkan perubahan ekosistem di negara ini telah menyebabkan perubahan profik demam denggi pada tahun 2012," jelas Menteri Kesihatan, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof.

Trend penyakit denggi berkenaan bukan sahaja dialami di Brunei tetapi juga di negara-negara lain, tambah Yang Berhormat Pehin lagi ketika berucap di majlis Pelancaran Program Penghapusan Penyakit Filaria Limfatik Kebangsaan yang berlangsung di Pusat Kesihatan Lamunin, Tutong, hari ini.

"Bersabit dengan trend penyakit denggi ini, Kementerian Kesihatan sentiasa mengambil perhatian dan memantau situasi ini serta mengongsikan maklumat dengan Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) dan negara-negara di rantau ini terhadap situasi demam denggi dalam kita sama-sama mengawal dan membasmi demam denggi."

Oleh itu, Yang Berhormat Pehin menyeru supaya kerjasama bersepadu dapat dilaksanakan oleh semua pihak berkenaan termasuk penghulu, ketua kampung, majlis perundingan mukim dan kampung serta semua lapisan rakyat dan penduduk negara supaya mengambil langkah-langkah pencegahan dan pengawalan dalam usaha untuk sama-sama mengawal jangkitan demam denggi dari terus meningkat di Brunei.

Mengulas mengenai usaha untuk mengawal penyakit-penyakit bawaan vektor seperti nyamuk, Yang Berhormat Pehin menyatakan bahawa pengurusan vektor berintegrasi harus dilaksanakan, dengan tindakan-tindakan yang perlu diambil adalah termasuk strategi pengurusan persekitaran untuk mengurangkan dan menghapuskan tempat-tempat pembiakan vektor serta penggunaan pengawalan biologi termasuk racun pembunuh larva dan ikan pemakan larva serangga yang boleh membunuh larva vektor secara khusus tanpa menyebabkan sebarang impak ekologi.

"Pada masa yang sama, pengawal vektor dengan menggunakan kaedah kimia seperti racun serangga juga dilaksanakan menurut garis pandu-garis pandu yang telah dikeluarkan oleh Kementerian Kesihatan untuk mengurangkan jangkitan penyakit dengan memendekkan atau mengganggu jangka hayat vektor berkenaan."

Beliau turut menekankan peranan masyarakat dan orang ramai di tempat yang dikenal pasti adalah amat penting untuk mengawal dan menghapuskan penyakit-penyakit bawaan vektor seperti nyamuk.

"Strategi-strategi pencegahan khususnya pengurusan kesihatan dan kebersihan persekitaran serta perlindungan peribadi seperti kebersihan alam sekitar, tidak menyimpan sebarang tempat yang boleh menjadi tempat pembiakan nyamuk, memakai pakaian yang boleh melindungi diri dari di gigit oleh nyamuk dan mendapatkan rawatan dengan segera apabila menghidap tanda-tanda penyakit tertentu."

Dipetik dari - Media Permata

India Sails Into Troubled South China Sea

Analysis by Richard Heydarian

MANILA, Feb 4 2013 (IPS) - With territorial tensions in the South China Sea entering a new phase of confrontation, there are signs of growing Indian involvement in regional affairs.

Aside from its anxieties over China’s expanding naval capabilities, India has direct economic and strategic interests in Southeast Asia. For many years, India’s state-run Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC) has been involved in joint ventures with TNK Vietnam and Petro Vietnam, conducting exploratory/offshore hydrocarbon projects in the disputed waters of South China Sea.

Meanwhile, India has also been expanding its strategic ties with the booming economies of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), hoping to raise bilateral trade to as much as 200 billion dollars in the next decade.

As ASEAN’s major dialogue partner, India has repeatedly underscored its commitment to the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, cautioning against rising threats to maritime security.

During the recently-concluded ASEAN-India Summit, many Southeast Asian states, in response to China’s provocative actions, have sought greater role for and involvement of India in ensuring regional stability and deterring Chinese aggressive posturing.

“While the centre of the global economy is shifting eastward, the Indian and Pacific oceans have been and will become even more important in providing the vital sea routes for trade and commerce,” Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared during the summit.

Both India and the ASEAN seem to share growing concerns over China’s increasing maritime assertiveness and naval capabilities.

November of last year – when Chinese (paramilitary) vessels allegedly harassed the Vietnamese Binh Minh 02 seismic survey vessel in the hydrocarbon-rich blocks where India’s ONGC is directly invested – marked a turning point in India’s disposition towards the South China Sea disputes.

“Not that we expect to be in those waters very frequently, but when the requirement is there for situations where the country’s interests are involved, for example ONGC Videsh, we will be required to go there and we are prepared for that,” Indian navy chief Admiral D.K Joshi declared in response to the incident, warning China against further provocations.

His comments coincided with a new round of Sino-Indian negotiations over long-standing border disputes, which sparked a war back in 1962 and have embittered bilateral ties since then.

Recent years have witnessed a precipitous escalation in regional maritime disputes, pitting China – which claims almost all features in the South China Sea and continues to prefer bilateral dispute-settlement mechanisms – against Southeast Asian states such as Philippines and Vietnam.

However, last year marked a further deterioration in regional security, with ASEAN failing to adopt a common position on establishing a binding regional Code of Conduct (CoC) to settle maritime disputes.

The situation worsened when the new Chinese leadership engaged in a series of provocative actions, ranging from the issuance of a new Chinese passport, featuring the full extent of Beijing’s territorial claims across Asia, to the recent announcement by Hainan authorities to search and intercept foreign vessels straddling China’s claimed maritime territories, and the new Chinese official map featuring territories within Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In response, the Philippines and Vietnam sought deeper strategic and defence cooperation with sympathetic Pacific powers such as the U.S. and India. Vietnam, Philippines, and Taiwan formally protested against China’s passport design, while the ASEAN bloc expressed deep concerns over new maritime regulations by Chinese provincial authorities in Hainan.

There is also the bigger issue of India-China rivalry. Traditionally, the Indian Navy (IN) has focused on patrolling and safeguarding the country’s interests in the immediate waters stretching from the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean and the Strait Malacca. Yet, China’s rapid rise as a regional naval powerhouse has encouraged continental rival India to speed up its naval modernisation and develop an expeditionary outlook.

Between 2000 and 2012, the IN’s share of annual military expenditures has increased from 15 to 19 percent, while joint exercises with other regional allies, especially the U.S. Pacific Command, have intensified accordingly. An armada of new aircraft carriers, modern French submarines, indigenously designed nuclear submarines, and state-of-the-art aircraft are slated to boost the IN in coming years.

With one of Asia’s most formidable navies, dwarfing all of those in the ASEAN, India’s new naval arms race with China has gained even greater significance in light of rising frictions in the strategic, hydrocarbon-rich waters of South China Sea. Back in 2011, Chinese forces even challenged an IN ship that was patrolling off the coast of Vietnam.

The U.S. pivot to the Asia-Pacific region has been followed by renewed strategic-military commitments with regional partners, but the Philippines and Vietnam are also eagerly seeking India’s muscle to deter China.

“I hope that India supports ASEAN and China in full implementation of the declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea and ASEAN Six-Point Principle on the South China Sea…” Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized during the ASEAN-India summit.

In fact, the summit’s concluding ‘vision statement’ underscored, in the most unequivocal terms, the importance of maritime security: “We (ASEAN and India) are committed to strengthening cooperation to ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation and safety of sea lanes of communication for unfettered movement of trade in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.”

Although India has historically stood up to China over territorial disputes as well as the Tibetan issue, in addition to its expressed commitment to defend energy investments in the disputed waters and challenge China’s new passport design, India has actually struck a moderate tone in numerous official pronouncements.

India is not a direct party to the disputes and a bulk of its strategic interests still lie in the Indian Ocean, while its booming bilateral trade with China – hovering above 70 billion dollars annually – means that it has little appetite for risking direct confrontation with Beijing in behalf of ASEAN.

“There are fundamental issues there (South China Sea) that do not require India’s intervention,” India’s External Affairs Minister Salman Kurshid stated in relation to the maritime disputes during the ASEAN-India summit. “(The disputes) need to be resolved between the countries concerned.”

Dipetik dari - Inter Press Service

Fisheries promise for local industry

THE launch of a major seafood processing plant highlights the progress the Sultanate is making in its plans to diversify from oil and resources and position itself as a centre of value-added industry. However, a shortage of available land to further develop the industry sector has been identified as a limiting factor.

In December 2012, the Multipurpose Marine Resources Processing and Business Centre, a US$30 million seafood processing plant, became fully operational. The facility is a result of collaborative efforts between Semaun Marine Resources and the Golden Corporation, an investment firm.

Innovative industry techniques at the processing centre see unmarketable fish that cannot be sold to consumers re-processed and turned into value-added products, such as surimi (fish puree). Previously, fishermen were discarding 70-90 per cent, or 400-500 kg, of each catch.

In January, the government also announced the first harvest of its Brunei Darussalam specific pathogen-free (SPF) black tiger shrimp project. The five-year programme, in development since 2007 by the Department of Fisheries and US-based Integrated Aquaculture International, aims to produce genetically improved SPF black tiger shrimp.

South Korean officials have also identified seafood processing as an area of major investment potential. "I think our Bruneian partners should explore (fisheries) possibilities by working with Korean investors and with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources," said Choi Byung Koo, the ambassador of South Korea to the Sultanate, when speaking to local media in October.

A month earlier, a visiting South Korean government official said the Sultanate has untapped opportunities for investment by South Korean firms, particularly in the areas of construction, tourism and food manufacturing.

"We look at Brunei as a high potential market in this region, due to its strategic location, and the country has a higher per-capita income than South Korea. Most South Korean companies believe Brunei is a great place to invest," said Kyung-Yun Yeom, deputy head of the trade and investment unit at the ASEAN-Korea Centre.

There has also been increased interest in industrial parks and planned investment from elsewhere in East Asia, with Japan-based Mitsubishi announcing in October plans to expand its workforce in the Sultanate.

Mitsubishi recently opened a new office in Jalan Pemancha that will oversee a number of potential projects, including an ammonia production and pharmaceuticals plant, as well as existing projects on automated cultivation, sustainable agriculture and solar power.

Mitsubishi has a long, symbiotic history with Brunei Darussalam, having helped develop the oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries that dominate the economy. For example, it participated in a major LNG project in 1970 at the start of the Sultanate's resource growth period.

The Japanese firm is behind plans for six downstream petrochemicals plants, with an aggregate investment of $2.8 billion, to be built at the 271-ha Sungai Liang Industrial Park (SPARK). The plants are expected to produce a range of chemicals using Brunei Darussalam's abundant natural gas as a feedstock.

In March 2012 it was revealed that SPARK had created 180 jobs since opening its doors in 2011, and the authorities estimate it will provide 2000 more employment opportunities as the petrochemical plants come online.

A study conducted by the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies in April 2012 said Brunei Darussalam would need around 108,000 jobs in the private sector if it wants to achieve full employment by 2035. The study found that the Sultanate would also need an estimated 515,000 sq metres of commercial floor space and 1300 ha of land for industrial sites to support such growth.

However, critics say that to boost the industrial sector, the government must create opportunities for the private sector to invest in unused land. Roger Gibbins, chairman of SGS Economics and Planning, one of the consultants involved in the study for the land optimisation strategy for industrial and commercial growth, said in November that a land release programme would create opportunities for private sector investment.

"If you create the opportunities, the private sector will come along," said Gibbins, pointing out that new land has not been released for private ownership in Brunei Darussalam since 1954.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Kemurungan penyakit kedua tertinggi

Oleh Hasrulraizan

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 31 Jan - Di Negara Brunei Darussalam, kemurungan merupakan penyebab kedua tertinggi kes-kes pesakit yang berdaftar dengan Perkhidmatan Psikiatri di Hospital Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS).

Timbalan Setiausaha Tetap (Profesional & Teknikal) Kementerian Kesihatan, Dr Hajah Norlila Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil turut mendedahkan bahawa faktor yang sering menghalang pesakit murung serta keluarganya dari mendapatkan rawatan, yang turut berlaku di negara ini ialah stigma iaitu sifat negatif masyarakat umum terhadap mereka yang menghidap gangguan dan penyakit mental termasuk kemurungan.

Mereka itu dianggap sebagai "gila" dan lemah semangat, ujarnya lanjut dalam ucapan perasmian di Majlis Forum Kesihatan Mental di Dewan Pencapaian, Institut Perkhidmatan Awam (IPA) hari ini.

Sehubungan dengan itu beliau menekankan bahawa kemurungan ialah suatu jenis penyakit yang menyebabkan perubahan bahan kimia tertentu dalam otak dan pemulihan perubatan kimia itu akan menyembuhkan kemurungan yang dihidapi pesakit.

Kemurungan bukanlah disebabkan kelemahan individu berkenaan dan tidak perlu ada perasaan malu untuk tampil mendapatkan rawatan, tegasnya sambil menjelaskan bahawa rawatan yang diberikan biasanya berupa gabungan di antara kaedah psikologi dan rawatan ubat anti-kemurungan (anti-depressant) dan rawatan itu terbukti berkesan.

Majlis bersempena dengan Hari Kesihatan Mental Sedunia itu, dihadiri kira-kira 200 orang terdiri daripada kakitangan Kementerian Kesihatan, ketua kampung, guru, pelajar dan orang awam ,telah turut mendengar ucapan alu-aluan dari Pemangku Ketua Pengarah Perkhidmatan Perubatan, Dr Lailawati Haji Jumat selaku Pengerusi Bersama Majlis.

Forum yang bertemakan "Kemurungan - Krisis Global" itu menampilkan empat orang pembentang kertas kerja yang telah membentangkan kertas kerja berkaitan dengan kemurungan.

Pakar Perunding Psikiatri, Jabatan Psikiatri, Hospital RIPAS, Dr Hilda Ho membentangkan tajuk "Kemurungan: Cara Mengenalpasti dan Diagnosis", manakala Pegawai Psikologi Klinikal, Hospital RIPAS, Awang Yusri Kefli membentangkan tajuk "Fakta Risiko Kemurungan Dari Aspek Sosiopsikologi.

Pembentang ketiga, Juru Pulih Cara Kerja, Hospital RIPAS, Siti Nurhamizah Haji Awang pula membentangkan tajuk "Rawatan dan Pemulihan Dari Kemurungan", dan pembentang terakhir, Kaunselor, Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam, Dr Ustaz Adi Zaky Haji Matassim membentangkan tajuk "Penyembuhan Kesihatan Mental Dari Perspektif Islam".

Adapun objektif forum itu diadakan adalah untuk meningkatkan kesedaran dan kepentingan kesihatan mental di kalangan masyarakat, untuk mengurangkan rasa cela, penistaan dan prasangka terhadap pengidap gangguan mental, dan untuk meningkatkan kefahaman yang mendalam bagi mengelakkan, mengenalpasti dan rawatan bagi penyakit kemurungan.

Dipetik dari - Media Permata