PLA Navy amphibious task force reaches Malaysia 'to defend South China sea'

A Chinese amphibious task force sparks jitters around the region by reaching the southernmost waters of its claimed domain

A fully equipped PLA amphibious task force has reached China's southernmost claimed possession in the South China Sea in an unprecedented show of force that is raising eyebrows across the region.

The four-ship flotilla headed by the landing ship Jinggangshan visited James Shoal - some 80 kilometres from Malaysia, less than 200 kilometres from Brunei and 1,800 kilometres from the mainland coast - close to the outer limits of China's "nine-dash line", by which it lays claim to virtually the entire South China Sea.

A Xinhua report yesterday described marines and crew gathering on the deck of the Jinggangshan - one of the PLA Navy's three 200-metre landing ships - to pledge to "defend the South China Sea, maintain national sovereignty and strive towards the dream of a strong China".

"It was a surprisingly strong message in sending out this task force, on such a new operational role from previous PLAN [PLA Navy] patrols in the region," said Gary Li, a senior analyst with IHS Fairplay in London.

"It is not just a few ships here and there, but a crack amphibious landing ship carrying marines and hovercraft and backed by some of the best escort ships in the PLAN fleet," he said, adding that jet fighters had also been used to cover the task force.

"We've never seen anything like this that far south in terms of quantity or quality ... it is hard to know whether it is just coincidence, but it does seem to reflect [President] Xi Jinping's desire for more practical operationally based exercises."

The landing ships are considered some of the most sophisticated vessels in the PLA and are thought to be key to any strategy to invade Taiwan. Their deployments are closely watched by regional rivals. The first of the landing ships, Kunlunshan, has been used in anti-piracy work off the Horn of Africa.

Photos circulating on mainland websites show marines storming beaches, backed by hovercrafts and helicopters dispatched from the Jinggangshan during several days of exercises that saw them visit all of China's holdings in the Spratly Islands.

The PLA took six Spratlys reefs and shoals from Vietnam in a sea battle 25 years ago this month.

The ships are due to head back north, crossing into the western Pacific for further drills via the Bashi channel between Taiwan and the Philippines, Xinhua said.

News of the Jinggangshan's appearance off James Shoal last night sparked chatter among military officials in the region.

"That is quite a show of sovereignty - an amphibious task force," said one military attaché monitoring developments. "It has got everyone talking.

"The Spratlys is one thing, but turning up at James Shoal is quite another. Once again, China is showing it is quite unafraid to send a message to the region - and in a year when Asean is chaired by Brunei, turning up down there in such a fashion is pretty strong symbolism."

PLA deployments into the South China Sea in 2009 and 2010 sparked fears across the region of a new assertiveness by Beijing. Those concerns in turn prompted fresh moves by several Southeast Asian nations to force the long-simmering South China Sea dispute back on to the regional agenda - and forge closer ties with the US.

Dipetik dari - South China Morning Post

Economic diversification yet to be achieved: MIPR chief

Fitri Shahminan
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sultanate still reliant on oil and gas.

BRUNEI's efforts at diversifying its economy has yet to see success with statistics showing that the non-oil and gas industry contributed little to the Sultanate's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011, said the minister of Industry and Primary Resources yesterday.

Efforts to diversify the economy had been included in the Second National Development Plan (RKN) of 1962-1966 and continue until today, said Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.

Speaking during the afternoon session of the Ninth Legislative Council (LegCo), the minister played down claims from stakeholders that these efforts had been successful.

"All parties have maintained that the nation has been successful in this respect. However, I would like to clarify that if we refer to 2011 statistics, our total gross output based on current price was $20.6 billion; and $14 billion or 68 per cent of the total was contributed by the oil and gas industry," the minister said

Meanwhile, the contribution of the non-oil and gas industry was $6.6 billion, or 32 per cent of the total gross output, he added.

"Therefore, based on that statistics, and also from the fact that our efforts to diversify the economy are still included in the present RKNs, it shows that Brunei's economy is still heavily dependent on oil and gas and efforts to diversify the economy has not been successful as of yet," YB Pehin Dato Hj Yahya remarked.

He was replying to questions raised by Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka Hjh Salbiah Hj Sulaiman a LegCo representative of persons who have achieved distinction who sought clarification on what approaches were being taken by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) to encourage the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

The minister said that there were various approaches carried out by MIPR to adress problems faced by SMEs.

"If we look at the non-oil and gas industry, there are vast sectors within it including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, construction, tourism, manufacturing and so on. And each sector has its own problems and issues. In general, the one common problem faced by SMEs in the non-oil and gas industry is sustainability.

Challenges such as high production cost and competitiveness, and pressure from cheaper imported products, small and limited domestic market, comparative disadvantage (are also among these).

"Therefore, MIPR is taking a different approach by prioritising their basic needs by conducting forums, visits and dialogue session," said YB Pehin Dato Hj Yahya.

Feedback from SMEs is highly appreciated and will allow MIPR to improvise in terms of programmes and services, he added.

Other approaches include coordinating with the relevant stakeholders to address issues raised by SMEs, the minister said.

"MIPR will continue to review other improvement works with relevant parties should there be a need to do so. It is the government's hope to ensure SMEs in the country are sustainable, competitive and thriving."

The minister said that in this light, the MIPR is currently reviewing several capacity building programmes for SMEs, business incubation programmes and several financial assistance schemes.

Realising the importance of SMEs in contributing to a diverse and resilient economy, MIPR has declared the period from 2010 to 2020 as a decade to spur SME development in Brunei, YB Pehin Dato Hj Yahya said.

"The ministry's aspiration, through this declaration, is to develop and produce more SMEs that are of high quality until they are able to penetrate and be competitive in the regional, international and global markets," he said.

"This will be followed by devising strategies and programmes that will support this aspiration. A decade to spur SMEs' development for Brunei by focusing on six SME growth framework which include creating an environment conducive for businesses, entrepreneurial development, access to financial facilities, business development services and application of innovation and technology in marketing."

YB Pehin Dato Hj Yahya shared that MIPR had allocated resources on establishing cooperation with other countries for the sharing of information on SME development principles, programmes and initiatives.

MIPR also encourages private financial institutions to help carry out capacity building programmes for the SMEs, the minister said.

He pointed out that the most pressing issue at the moment is that the there "hasn't been any desperate need for the citizens and residents of Brunei to put in effort and thought to find a way to offset the oil and gas businesses which will inevitably dry up at some point.

"If this sense of urgency is not there, then all forms of advice or recommendations or ideas will not generate the expected responses."

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Only 10% public eateries have Halal cert

Harny Abu Khair
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

ONLY 10 per cent out of 1,212 public eateries in Brunei Darussalam have been awarded Halal certificates or labels.

This was revealed by the Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman at yesterday's sitting of LegCo.

In providing members of the council with an overview of the number of licensed eateries and those awarded with Halal certificates in all four districts, the minister said that the percentage represented 130 public eateries across the country with the highest number being in Bandar Seri Begawan with 69 out of 494 licensed restaurants in Bandar Seri Begawan halal certified.

Out of 376 public eateries in the Brunei-Muara District, only 36 or 9.6 per cent have Halal certificates while only seven out of 83 in Tutong were awarded and five out of 27 in Temburong.

For the Belait District, none of the 29 licensed public eateries have been awarded the Halal certificate.

For the Belait Municipality, 11 out of 171 public eateries were awarded Halal certificates while in Tutong Municipality, only two out of 32 public eateries have obtained the certificates.

The minister explained that according to the Halal Food Control Unit, Syariah Welfare Department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), only 410 applications for the Halal certificates had been submitted.

"The number includes non-public eateries and so far only 150 certificates have been issued."

"This means the majority of public eatery proprietors have yet to submit their applications for the Halal certificate," he said.

"I would like to advise public eatery operators to immediately submit their applications and get their Halal certificates before the new regulation is enforced next year."

"This is where every eatery operator must get their Halal certificates before they can renew the miscellaneous licence for their restaurants," he said.

Follow-up by the relevant departments would only be carried out in genuine cases, where there is delay in issuing miscellaneous licences to operators who have already applied for the Halal certificates, he added.

"However those who refused to apply for Halal certificate, then they are blatantly ignoring the new regulation and this means they are operating without licences and will have to face the risks (of having their eateries closed)," he said.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Penggunaan air di negara ini antara tertinggi di dunia

Oleh: Dk. Vivy Malessa Pg. Ibrahim

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Selasa, 26 Mac. - Menteri Pembangunan, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman berkata, jumlah purata penggunaan air di negara ini ialah antara 400 hingga 450 liter bagi setiap seorang sehari, menyamai penggunaan lebih kurang setengah tangki yang digunakan di rumah.

Yang Berhormat menyatakan perkara itu semasa berucap pada Majlis Pelancaran Seminar Air Sempena Sambutan Hari Air Sedunia Tahun 2013 bertemakan 'Water Cooperation', berlangsung di Hotel Centrepoint, Gadong, di sini.

Menurut Menteri Pembangunan, jika dibandingkan dengan negara-negara lain, purata jumlah tersebut adalah dalam kalangan yang tertinggi di dunia, manakala negara-negara jiran yang terdekat mempunyai purata penggunaan sekitar 200 hingga 250 liter seorang sehari.

Yang Berhormat berkata, kesimpulannya secara purata penggunaan air dua kali ganda jika dibandingkan dengan negara-negara jiran.

Terdahulu Yang Berhormat menjelaskan, air merupakan sumber yang diperlukan bagi pelbagai kegunaan secara domestik, industri, pertanian dan alam sekitar.

"Pengurusan sumber air yang holistik dengan penglibatan semua pihak yang berkepentingan adalah sangat penting untuk memastikan sumber air dapat dimanfaatkan oleh semua pihak dengan berpatutan dan berdaya tahan serta bertepatan dengan tema sambutan Hari Air Sedunia pada tahun ini iaitu 'Water Cooperation', " ujar Yang Berhormat.

Di samping itu Yang Berhormat juga menyentuh mengenai lapan strategi yang telah dikenal pasti di dalam Wawasan Brunei 2035, termasuk menjamin dan menyediakan bekalan air yang berterusan seperti yang terkandung di dalam Strategi Infrastruktur.

Penyediaan infrastruktur yang berkualiti tinggi, katanya, adalah pelaburan awal yang sudah tentu akan memberikan pulangan yang tinggi di masa akan datang seperti memberikan keyakinan kepada pelabur (investor confidence) ke negara ini, potensi bagi memberikan peluang pekerjaan, 'spin-off economic potential' serta kualiti kehidupan yang tinggi kepada rakyat dan penduduk di negara ini.

Pada masa ini, jelas Yang Berhormat, infrastruktur bekalan air di negara ini dapat dianggap di tahap sangat baik dengan bekalan air bersih yang berterusan kepada 100 peratus penduduk di negara ini.

Kementerian Pembangunan melalui Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR), katanya, adalah komited untuk memperbaiki lagi sistem bekalan air tersebut secara berterusan.

"Pihak kerajaan telah membelanjakan beratus juta ringgit bagi menyediakan infrastruktur bekalan air di samping kos pengurusan dan pemeliharaan tahunan untuk menyediakan bekalan air yang bersih dan berkualiti yang telah sama-sama kita nikmati pada masa ini dan juga di masa akan datang," ujarnya.

Menyentuh usaha yang telah dirancang dan dilaksanakan bagi penggunaan air yang lebih mapan, Yang Berhormat menjelaskan, sebahagian besar dari inisiatif yang dirancang adalah berasaskan kepada kerjasama dalam kalangan pihak-pihak yang berkepentingan dan orang ramai, seperti mana juga yang ditekankan dalam tema sambutan Hari Air Sedunia 'Water Cooperation' iaitu Perlaksanaan Program 'Water Conservation Pledge' yang telah disertai oleh beberapa organisasi terdiri daripada agensi-agensi kerajaan dan pihak swasta mahupun individu-individu.

Inisiatif lain, tambahnya ialah Program tahunan 'Brunei Darussalam-Singapore Cooperation on Environment' termasuk program kerjasama JKR dengan Public Utility Board, Singapura yang dapat memberikan peluang untuk memajukan sumber tenaga manusia, perkongsian amalan terbaik dan penggunaan teknologi yang bersesuaian bagi meningkatkan efisiensi di dalam pengurusan air.

Selain itu, kata Yang Berhormat, ia juga termasuk Seminar Air Tahun 2013 yang menjemput pakar-pakar dari luar negeri untuk berkongsi amalan terbaik dan kepakaran di dalam menangani masalah-masalah pengurusan bekalan air di negara ini.

Dipetik dari - Pelita Brunei

Belanjawan negara BND5.4 bilion diluluskan

Oleh: Pg. Hajah Fatimah Pg. Haji Md. Noor

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Isnin, 25 Mac. - Persidangan Majlis Mesyuarat Negara (MMN) yang bersidang hari in meluluskan peruntukan sejumlah wang yang tidak melebihi lima ribu empat ratus tiga puluh juta, tujuh ratus lapan puluh lima ribu ringgit ($5,430,785,000.00) dari Kumpulan wang Yang Disatukan bagi perkhidmatan tahun kewangan 2013/2014 setelah bersidang di Peringkat Jawatankuasa bagi membincangkan belanjawan 12 kementerian dan lebih 60 jabatan-jabatan kerajaan.

Peruntukan wang sejumlah itu terkandung dalam Rang Undang-Undang yang digelar : Suatu Akta untuk membekalkan sejumlah wang dari Kumpulan wang Yang Disatukan bagi perkhidmatan tahun kewangan 2013/2014, dan untuk memperuntukkan wang yang tersebut itu bagi maksud-maksud tertentu.

Rang Undang-Undang tersebut dicadangkan oleh Menteri Kewangan II (Kedua ) di Jabatan Perdana Menteri , Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim di hari kedua Mesyuarat Pertama Dari Musim Permesyuaratan Kesembilan MMN pada hari Sabtu, 9 Mac yang lalu kini digelar sebagai Akta Perbekalan 2013/2014.

Undang-Undang berkenaan diperbuat oleh Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam dengan nasihat dan persetujuan MMN.

Berkuat kuasa pada 1 April 2013, peruntukan itu ialah bagi membiayai perbelanjaan 12 kementerian dan beberapa projek kemajuan negara yang telah dirancang sehingga 2014.

Rajah I menyenaraikan peruntukan kementerian-kementerian dan jabatan-jabatan di bawahnya yang telah dibincangkan bermula 9 Mac sehingga petang Isnin, 25 Mac 2013.

Dipetik dari - Pelita Brunei

Over 70% of top posts in oil and gas filled by locals

Al-Haadi Abu Bakar
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

MORE than 70 per cent of the top positions in the oil and gas sector has been filled by Bruneians, said the minister of energy yesterday.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Mohd Yasmin Hj Umar said that through the Energy Department's Local Business Development (LBD) initiative, Bruneians now account to between 70 to 80 per cent of the workforce in the sector's top positions.

The minister confirmed this yesterday during the afternoon session of the Ninth State Legislative Council meeting in response to an enquiry raised by LegCo member representing the Brunei-Muara District Zone 4 YB Hj Jumat Akim.

YB Pehin Datu Hj Mohd Yasmin attributed the accomplishment to the energy department's LBD directive, which is aimed to ensure that service industries are dominated by local operators, and which would in turn provide more job opportunities for the locals and reduce unemployment in Brunei.

He said that LBD aims to have 70 per cent of the total workforce in the oil and gas sector filled by Bruneians.

The minister also noted a high number of young Bruneians who are taking up senior positions in oil and gas companies overseas, such as in Europe and in the Middle East, after a brief stint in Brunei Shell and LNG.

"There are more than 10 Bruneians working in Holland and some 30 working in Qatar now," said YB Pehin Datu Hj Mohd Yasmin.

"This shows that the system we use to train them during their time in Brunei Shell and LNG is highly effective and has made them marketable internationally," he added.

In line with these achievements, the minister said, the Energy Department at the Prime Minister's Office (EDPMO) is accelerating efforts to ensure students training in Brunei can fulfil the requirements to work for the oil and gas sector, by providing the right workforce for the right jobs.

The minister also revealed yesterday that his department is close to completing the Energy Competency Framework, which is designed to tackle job security issues in the industry by implementing new regulations in three areas: contract length, salary scale and career development.

He said the framework is expected to be ready between April to June.

The minister also revealed that the Department of Planning and Economic Development (JPKE) also supports this drive towards local employment in the sector by providing financing schemes for training in private schools in Brunei, as well as tax rebates on training costs towards locals.

LegCo member representing those who had achieved excellence YB Hj Zulkifli Hj Abd Hamid, who praised the energy department's LBD directive, asked the minister if such initiative can be implemented in other sectors in order to get a similar impact.

In response, the minister said that the move was welcome, although it would require thorough study to identify the suitability of the initiative on other industries beforehand.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

2,500 hidap penyakit buah pinggang kronik

Oleh Sim Y. H.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 24 Mac - Penghidap penyakit masalah buah pinggang di negara ini dianggarkan seramai 2880 pesakit yang berdaftar di pusat dialisis dan klinik renal. Dari pada jumlah itu, dianggarkan 2,500 orang dikategorikan menghidap penyakit buah pinggang kronik apabila fungsi buah pinggang telah berkurangan.

Jumlah pesakit buah pinggang kronik ini adalah kritikal dan membimbangkan kerana jika tidak dikawal sebahagian pesakit akan mengakibatkan kegagalan fungsi buah pinggang atau dikenali End Stage Renal Disease (ERSD), 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.

Jika kerosakan buah pinggang bertambah kronik dan tidak dapat diubati lagi, cara untuk mengatasinya adalah dengan menjalani Terapi Penggantian Renal (RRT) untuk meneruskan kehidupan, Yang Berhormat Pehin berucap semasa Majlis Sambutan Hari Buah Pinggang Sedunia 2013 yang berlangsung di Pusat Dialisis Rimba, Gadong, hari ini.

Jelas Yang Berhormat Pehin, RRT mempunyai dua kaedah iaitu menerusi rawatan dialisis apabila fungsi buah pinggang yang rosak diganti dengan buah pinggang tiruan yang dikenali sebagai dialyer atau menerusi rawatan pemindahan buah pinggang dengan pesakit akan menerima buah pinggang daripada penderma.

Yang Berhormat Pehin juga mendedahkan bahawa sehingga Februari 2013, terdapat seramai 638 orang yang sedang menjalani RRT di Brunei dan dari jumlah itu, seramai 551 orang atau 86 peratus menjalani rawatan dialisis jenis Hemodialisis dan 52 orang atau 8 peratus sedang menjalani rawatan dialisis jenis, Peritoneal Dialisis.

Manakala selebihnya iaitu 35 orang daripada pesakit berkenaan pula adalah mereka yang telah menjalani pemindahan buat pinggang.

Beliau juga menyatakan bahawa kos rawatan bagi setiap pesakit dialisis adalah sangat tinggi. Kerajaan membelanjakan berjuta-juta ringgit untuk menyediakan kemudahan, peralatan, ubat-ubatan dan barang guna habis bagi rawatan dialisis dan pemindahan buah pinggang.

"Pada 2011-2012, jumlah perbelanjaan yang telah digunakan oleh Jabatan Perkhidmatan Renal sahaja untuk pembelian ubat-ubatan dan barang guna habis bagi pesakit renal adalah hampir $9.5 juta."

"Ini adalah kerasan kos bagi rawatan dialisis bagi seorang pesakit buah pinggang untuk setahun adalah di antara $21,000 hingga $40,000 bergantung kepada jenis RRT yang diguna pakai."

Yang Berhormat Pehin menjelaskan penyebab utama penyakit buah pinggang kronik adalah penyakit diabetes dan penyakit tekanan darah tinggi. Di Brunei, lebih dari 57 peratus kes kegagalan fungsi buah pinggang adalah disebabkan oleh penyakit diabetes dan lebih 21 peratus adalah disebabkan oleh penyakit tekanan darah tinggi.

Beliau menjelaskan lanjut bahawa setiap tahun, jumlah penghidap penyakit diabetes juga semakin meningkat disebabkan cara hidup yang kurang sihat dan corak pemakanan yang tinggi dengan kandungan gula, garam, lemak dan kolesterol.

"Masalah obesiti atau kegemukan adalah antara punca utama orang mengidap penyakit diabetes di negara ini. Paras gula di dalam darah yang sentiasa tinggi dan juga tekanan darah yang tinggi dan tidak terkawal boleh mengakibatkan buah pinggang cepat rosak dari jangka masa biasa."

"Jadi jika penyakit diabetes dan tekanan darah tidak dikawal dari peringkat awal, maka adalah lebih mudah untuk menerima risiko sehingga mengidap penyakit buah pinggang kronik."

Yang Berhormat Pehin berkata kementeriannya memandang serius masalah peningkatan penyakit buah pinggang kronik dan langkah-langkah telah diambil oleh pihak-pihak berkenaan di bawah kementeriannya seperti Jabatan Perkhidmatan Renal, Pusat Promosi Kesihatan, Unit Kardiologi, Unit Endokrinologi serta Klinik Diabetik bagi meningkatkan lagi kefahaman dan kesedaran mengenai penyakit buah pinggang serta faktor risiko kerosakan buah pinggang yang berpunca dari penyakit diabetes, tekanan darah tinggi, penyakit jantung serta obesiti.

Dipetik dari - Media Permata

Trials and tribulations of homeless family of 10

Nabilah Haris
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

A FAMILY of 10 is currently homeless and temporarily residing at the Mukim Kilanas Community Hall after spending a night behind a restaurant in Kg Bengkurong.

The family that consists of an aunt, with five children and her niece, who has two children, has been boarding with different relatives at different homes since 2010, finally hit a low point when they had no where to go starting Friday after taking up an offer to live at a friend's house for a night and eventually having to leave following an alleged physical altercation between her friend and his parents.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, the aunt, 32-year-old Siti Noraidah said prior to their current situation, she had been living at her brother-in-law's family home when the situation started becoming unpleasant and she decided to take her children away with her.

"I decided to leave with my children following some misunderstanding that arose from living there," said Noraidah, who had to live in his brother-in-law's living room

"My children are quite naughty, my brother-in-law and his children could not tolerate their behaviour any more."

"I have moved many times as people cannot stand my children's behaviour anymore, who they said were noisy and too difficult to handle. I have to keep moving for the good of my children and myself," she added.

According to Siti Noraidah she had been boarding at different houses since July 1, 2010 ever since her husband was put in prison.

"My closest relative is my niece but she does not own a home either so she joins us in boarding as well. She is an only child so she has no siblings to go to," she added.

She shared that she receives Baitulmal assistance but it is not enough to take care of her family.

"I even used my Baitulmal assistance to pay for my stay at the various houses, I was not freeloading. I just got a job as a cleaner but it has only been a week. Times are difficult. Our children have not been attending school since the school term re-opened especially since we have become homeless."

The youngest child in the displaced family is three years old while the eldest is 13 years old.

She then explained that she moved in with her niece, 30-year-old Radiahtul Nur Adnina, who was at the time residing at the step father's home in the same village.

"There were also misunderstandings between my niece and her stepfather. They did not care so much for us at their home, it felt insincere and it made living there uncomfortable."

Noraidah said that despite having 16 siblings, she is unable to live with them either citing reasons such as insufficient space at their government-provided housing while others lived with their in-laws.

Radiahtul explained that she was currently going through a divorce from her absent husband who had not been providing for the family for the past years.

She said that they left her stepfather's home and decided to spend a night behind a restaurant where the family met a friend of Radiahtul who offered them a place to spend the night.

"Unfortunately, the next day he was chased out by his family for having us over for one night. His parents were against it. We felt bad for him as it felt like it was our fault so we brought him along with us. He was just trying to help us."

She alleged that her friend was physically assaulted for bringing them home to spend a night.

"We went back to the restaurant where our friend's friend called up the village head as he did not want to see our children sleep behind the restaurant. We explained our situation to him (village head)," said Radiahtul who said that the village head of Kg Bengkurong, Sinarubai and Burong Lepas, Hj Talib Hj Abu Bakar and the Penghulu Mukim Kilanas, Hj Abdullah Hj Alus took swift action and immediately placed them at the Mukim Kilanas Community Hall for temporary shelter.

Upon hearing the news of the homeless family, the village head insisted they moved into the Community Hall the same night where a representative of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) visited the same night and also the following morning. A representative for the Brunei-Muara District Officer also paid the family a visit.

Hj Talib Hj Abu Bakar urged members of the public to provide assistance for the family who are in need of basic necessities such as food and drinks, especially baby formula for the youngest child.

Those interested in providing assistance can leave donations at the Mukim Kilanas Community Hall, where the family is temporarily residing or present the donations to the Penghulu Mukim Kilanas or the Ketua Kampong (village head) of Kg Bengkurong, Sinarubai and Burong Lepas.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Minister Clarifies 'Relative Poverty'

Bandar Seri Begawan - Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka Dyg Hjh Zasia binti Sirin asked the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports regarding the current developments of the Kg Pulaie Welfare Housing Complex, since its operations has been moved to the new Welfare Housing Complex in Kampung Belimbing, Subok, as YB Datin Paduka Dyg Hjh Zasia raised the issue of youths involved in immoral and other unhealthy activities such as the misuse of drugs and underaged pregnancy, amongst others.

YB Datin revealed that there were 290 youths aged 15 to 25 arrested for drug abuse in the year 2011 and 2012, 59 youths were recorded for other issues including underaged pregnancy free sex, difficult to control and leaving their homes.

She also raised the issue of children who are in the Welfare Housing Complex due to parents' negligence and other problems, whether there is an act to penalise these parents if produced in court, as well as the availability of counselling sessions for these parents.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports said that the relocation of the Kg Pulaie Welfare Housing Complex children and youth is temporary, given the fact that the Kg Pulaie Welfare Housing Complex is currently under renovation and only offices that are not affected by the renovations in the complex are used.

The minister also said that the type of poverty in Brunei is 'relative poverty', and not 'absolute poverty' as can be observed especially in third-world countries. 'Relative poverty' in Brunei refers to individuals who do not have a job, no skills or they are facing diseases or physical disabilities.

Despite that, said the minister, the individuals of 'relative poverty' still have accessibility to facilities and benefits as Bruneians or residents of Brunei including education, healthcare, housing, water supply, electricity and others, when compared those facing poverty in other countries.

The minister said that through their research, steps have already been taken to overcome 'relative poverty' in Brunei Darussalam, such as the welfare assistance given to them, as well as other efforts such as providing skills training and others, which were all heading towards eradicating poverty in Brunei Darussalam. ~ Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Dipetik dari - BruDirect.com

ISU TOL RASAU MEMERLUKAN PENELITIAN YANG SECUKUPNYA

Limbaroh Hijau, 25 Mac 2013 - Isu tol Rasau yang  dibangkitkan oleh YB. Haji A. Ahmad bin Hussin mengenai kemungkinan tol berkenaan dapat dikendalikan oleh konsertium koperasi tempatan sememangnya perlukan penelitian yang mendalam.

Penjelasan YB. Pehin O.K. Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Suyoi, Menteri Pembangunan mengenai persoalan itu amat bertepatan dan sesuai dengan mengambil kira beberapa perkara terutama kemampuan dan keupayaan konsertium berkenaan untuk mengurustadbir dan menyelenggara jalan serta kemudahan awam yang terdapat disepanjang jalan itu. "Walaupun dari segi kutipan memang lumayan" jelas YB Pehin, namun beberapa perkiraan juga mesti diambil perhatian, seumpama kutipan lumayan itu adakah mencukopi untuk menampung kos pengurusan dan pentadbiran serta penyelenggaraan dan baikpulih kerosakan yang pastinya akan berlaku.

Walaupun laluan tol Rasau itu tidak panjang sepanjang lebuh raya, namun ianya memerlukan pengawasan dan pengurusan daripada mereka yang berkebolehan dan berpengelaman serta mempunyai modal yang mencukupi sementara menanti pulangan keuntungan sekiranya ada.

Kita tidak mahu meletakkan sesuatu yang membebankan atau merugikan kepada konsertium koperasi kitani, dan kalaupun mereka benar-benar mahu mengurusnya biarlah mempunyai kepakaran, pengelaman dan kewangan yang mantap.

Dalam hal ini, NDP melalui Kongres Agung Tahunan Ke-5, 6 dan 7 pada tahun-tahun 2010, 2011 dan 2012 telah bersetuju mencadangkan  kepada pihak-pihak berkenaan supaya mengkaji semula bayaran tol Rasau itu atau dimansuhkan secara total atau hanya dikenakan kepada kenderaan luar negeri sahaja. Selain itu, NDP juga turut mencadangkan  kedudukan pondok itu supaya dipindahkan ke kawasan kompleks kastam di Sungai Tujuh.

KURNIA TAMBANG HAJI DITAMBAH DI MAJLIS MESYUARAT NEGARA - MENYOROTI CADANGAN NDP

Limbaroh Hijau, 25 Mac 2013 -  NDP mengaku-alukan dan menjunjung kasih Kehadapan Majlis Kebawah DYMM Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam , atas perkenan supaya tambang haji yang berjumlah $3500 ditambah menjadi $4500 bagi pegawai-pegawai kerajaan, disamping itu baginda juga berkenaan mengurniakan supaya diberi tambah nilai sebanyak $600 kepada orang-orang dewasa dan $475 kepada kanak-kanak bagi yang membuat haji bagi kali yang pertama dan keduasahaja diberi tambah nilai, yang selebihnya itu, tidak diberi tambah nilai, demikian seperti yang disampaikan oleh Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama pada MMN itu yang bersidang pada hari kesepuluh itu

NDP juga mengalu-alukan dan mengucapkan terima kasih kepada kedua-dua ahli Yang Berhormat iaitu YB. Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Abdul Hamid bin Bakal dan YB Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Ahad kerana turut menyokong usul NDP  pada Kongres Agung tahunan Ke 5 Tahun 2010 yang mencadangkan kepada pihak-pihak berkenaan supaya pengurniaan tambang untuk menunaikan haji ke Mekah bagi pegawai dan kakitangan perkhidmatan kerajaan dikaji semula memandangkan kurnia tambang yang ada sekarang terlalu rendah dan tidak mencukupi dan terpaksa ditambah sendiri oleh mereka, ini tentunya membebankan.

Kurnia tambahan yang didedahkan oleh YB Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama pada hari kesepuluh permesyuaratan MMN itu tentulah amat dialu-alukan oleh mereka yang berkenaan, walaupun tidak memenuhi keseluruhan perbelanjaan , namun ianya dapat mengurangkan beban perbelanjaan.

Dalam hal ini kita sukacita juga menyeru kepada pihak syarikat-syarikat pengusaha penerbangan haji supaya tidak akan mengambil kesempatan dengan menaikkan juga perbelanjaan haji dengan sewenang-wenangnya.

Kaji pelaksanaan projek perumahan berbentuk ‘partnership’ sektor swasta

Oleh: Hezlinawati Haji Abdul Karim

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Rabu, 20 Mac. - Menteri Pembangunan, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman berkata, Kementerian Pembangunan merancang ingin meneliti projek-projek perumahan tidak semestinya dibuat oleh pihak kerajaan, tetapi boleh juga dibuat oleh pihak swasta.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan berkata demikian ketika mengulas cadangan yang disuarakan oleh Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Tahamit bin Haji Nudin agar Kementerian Pembangunan menubuhkan satu Government Linked Company (GLC) untuk memajukan rumah persendirian yang membolehkan pengguna menggunakan pinjaman kerajaan memandangkan ketika ini kebanyakan pemaju tidak menerima pinjaman kerajaan untuk membeli rumah.

Kementerian Pembangunan, ujar Yang Berhormat, akan mengkaji perkara tersebut mengikut kesesuaian dan tatacara untuk melaksanakan apa yang telah pun dicadangkan walaupun tidak berbentuk GLC tetapi berbentuk 'partnership' dengan sektor swasta.

Terdahulu Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan merakamkan terima kasih atas penghargaan Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat atas usaha pihak Kementerian Pembangunan dan juga jabatan-jabatan di bawahnya untuk menaik taraf ataupun memberikan perkhidmatan kepada orang ramai melalui kerja-kerja yang telah pun dilaksanakan.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan juga mengakui bahawa tidak semua projek-projek yang akan dilaksanakan itu telah terlaksana dalam tempoh-tempoh yang dijanjikan atas sebab-sebab tertentu, namun sebagai usaha, Kementerian Pembangunan dan jabatan-jabatan di bawahnya akan sentiasa melaksanakan apa jua projek-projek yang telah diberi peruntukan dan diharap siap dalam tempoh-tempoh yang ditentukan.

Dipetik dari - Pelita Brunei

Berikut adalah petikan dari Usul Mengenai Perumahan pada Kongres Agung Tahunan ke-4 NDP 2009,

...mencadangkan kepada Kerajaan Kebawah DYMM supaya menubuhkan sebuah Syarikat Perumahan Negara bagi mempercepat penghasilan perumahan untuk dijual kepada rakyat, di samping itu, Jabatan Kemajuan Perumahan pula dipertanggungjawabkan mengendalikan urusan penghasilan perumahan rakyat jati; dan bahawa Kongres Agung Tahunan Ke-4 ini juga mengambil maklum dan memperakuai semula usul Perumahan yang telah dilulus dan disahkan oleh Kongres Agung Tahunan Ke-3 Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (NDP) yang bersidang pada 20 - 22 Jun 2008 yang mengambil persetujuan dan ketetapan menggesa supaya agensi pelaksana menyegerakan pembinaan rumah-rumah kediaman seperti yang dihasratkan Kebawah DYMM Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan, untuk memenuhi keperluan rakyat Baginda yang meningkat dari masa ke semasa, bagi memastikan rancangan perumahan negara dilaksanakan secara berkesan agar setiap keluarga mempunyai tempat kediaman yang selesa, dalam persekitaran yang menggalakkan perkembangan minda dan akhlak yang sihat, melalui strategi pendekatan pelbagai yang melibatkan perkongsian pintar sektor awam dan swasta (public - private smart partnership), tanpa terus bergantung kepada kaedah konvensional yang terbukti tidak berkesan...

Institusi istana, Orang Besar berkecuali

Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah menyampaikan titah pada Istiadat Meletak Kerja sempena Sambutan Ulang Tahun Keputeraan Ke-85 Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah di Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar, kelmarin. - BERNAMA

ALHAMDULILLAH, Beta bersyukur ke hadrat Ilahi kerana dengan izin dan rahmat darinya juga Beta dapat berangkat ke istiadat meletak kerja sempena menyambut ulang tahun hari keputeraan kali ke lapan puluh lima, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah. Semoga Paduka Ayahanda Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah dan Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Bonda Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Bainun dilimpahkan rahmat Ilahi berada dalam kesejahteraan serta sihat wal-afiat.

Ulang tahun sambutan hari keputeraan seorang Raja Pemerintah itu tidak peribadi bentuknya; sambutannya tidak hanya terbatas dalam kalangan ahli keluarga; tetapi dijadikan satu acara rasmi kerajaan, disambut secara bersama oleh negeri dan rakyat. Pelbagai acara disusun untuk membolehkan Raja Pemerintah sampai ke sejauh mungkin jajahan pemerintahan dan bertemu dengan seramai mungkin rakyat di bawah naungan pemerintahan Baginda.

Ulang tahun hari keputeraan Raja Pemerintah yang disambut secara bersama dengan negeri dan rakyat, adalah satu tradisi - satu kesinambungan adat. Sempena ulang tahun hari keputeraan, menjadi lazim bagi Raja memperlihatkan sifat ihsan terhadap rakyat sementara rakyat pula mempamerkan semangat kesetiaan. Raja Pemerintah akan mengurniakan anugerah dan memperkenankan keampunan kepada rakyat Baginda.

Demikian sejarah dan tradisi peranan institusi Raja yang diwarisi sejak turun- temurun; dijadikan rujukan - dijadikan pedoman ketika memformulasikan sistem berkerajaan dan bernegara di bumi ini yang berteraskan konsep Raja Berperlembagaan dan Demokrasi Berparlimen.

Fungsi Raja sebagai Ketua Negara atau Negeri terbahagi kepada tiga fungsi utama; pertama: fungsi secara termaktub dalam Perlembagaan, kedua: fungsi ceremonial memenuhi adat istiadat, ketiga: fungsi simbolik sebagai lambang negara atau negeri.

Raja yang ditabalkan bersemayam di takhta pemerintahan, hendaklah mendapat ketaatsetiaan daripada segenap lapisan rakyat, merentasi agama, kaum, budaya, status sosial - status ekonomi dan kumpulan politik. Oleh itu institusi Raja dan takhta pada setiap masa wajib berada di atas politik kepartian, memisah dan menjauhkan diri daripada terlibat secara langsung dalam urusan dan kegiatan politik kepartian. Takhta pemerintahan wajib terus dipelihara berpendirian berkecuali, berada di atas politik kepartian agar dapat berperanan secara saksama sebagai payung negeri serta dapat diterima tanpa ragu sebagai institusi penyatuan dalam kepelbagaian, terutama untuk menangani sebarang pertentangan dan pertelagahan yang berlaku dalam kalangan rakyat Baginda.

Institusi Raja bukan sekadar memenuhi nilai sejarah dan nilai sentimental bangsa. Kehadiran Raja sebenarnya sangat membantu keberkesanan mekanisme semak dan imbang, sekali gus memperkukuh cabang-cabang eksekutif, perundangan dan kehakiman di dalam negara. Raja berperanan sebagai tonggak kestabilan - sumber keadilan, teras perpaduan - payung penyatuan, berperanan mengukuh dan mengekalkan amalan demokrasi agar dapat ditingkatkan tahap keyakinan rakyat kepada sistem berkerajaan, berteraskan amalan demokrasi, berpandukan doktrin pemisahan kuasa. Raja memerintah dan tidak mentadbir. Raja berada di atas segala urusan politik dan urusan pentadbiran harian. Dengan berada di strata yang lebih tinggi, Raja hanya terlibat pada waktu dan ketika yang diperlukan.

Raja Pemerintah mempunyai tanggungjawab luas dalam memastikan bahawa semangat Perlembagaan, falsafah di sebalik setiap undang-undang yang digubal serta kepentingan lebih besar negara dan warga perlu senantiasa dilindungi. Pada pertengahan abad kesembilan belas, Walter Bagehot memperkenalkan konsep triniti klasik, dengan menggariskan bahawa Raja Berperlembagaan memiliki tiga hak; pertama: hak untuk dirunding, kedua: hak untuk memberi nasihat, ketiga: hak untuk memberi peringatan.

Mengambil pedoman daripada triniti klasik tersebut, Beta melalui sesi tertutup atau sesi terbuka, tatkala perbincangan atau melalui titah, telah dari semasa ke semasa menzahirkan kupasan dan ulasan berbentuk nasihat dan pandangan, galakan dan dorongan begitu juga peringatan dan teguran, secara umum - secara menyeluruh akan perkara-perkara menyentuh kepentingan rakyat, penambahbaikan pelbagai jabatan, agensi kerajaan, pasukan keselamatan, pihak swasta serta pertubuhan-pertubuhan sukarela, kebajikan dan sukan.

Dari semasa ke semasa Beta menzahirkan ulasan menyentuh perkara-perkara berkaitan Agama Islam, perpaduan warga, keselamatan negara, pembangunan sosioekonomi, kewangan, pendidikan, kebebasan kehakiman, penyalahgunaan kuasa, rasuah, urus tadbir yang cekap lagi telus dan pelbagai subjek lagi, atas hasrat untuk memastikan bahawa negara terus kukuh dan aman - warga terus sejahtera dan makmur.

Beta telah disembah maklum bahawa kebelakangan ini terdapat perbuatan oleh pihak tertentu memanipulasi kandungan serta mesej bersumberkan titah-titah yang pernah Beta zahirkan, diolah semula dalam nada dan bentuk yang memberi implikasi bahawa kata-kata yang telah diolah semula itu telah dizahirkan secara langsung oleh Beta sendiri, bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pengaruh kumpulan politik tertentu dan merendahkan lawan politiknya.

Perbuatan tersebut telah memberikan gambaran tidak betul dan boleh menimbulkan salah faham dalam kalangan sebahagian rakyat; seolah-olah Beta secara langsung telah menzahirkan sokongan terbuka kepada kumpulan politik tertentu dan pada masa yang sama telah memperkecilkan kumpulan politik lain. Sebarang perbuatan yang mengaitkan nama dan batang tubuh Beta untuk meraih sokongan politik, sebenarnya boleh disifatkan telah mengheret istana ke dalam kancah politik kepartian serta boleh dianggap telah melanggar tatasusila serta kesopanan adab dan tertib berpolitik secara berhemah.

Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13 akan berlangsung dalam tempoh terdekat. Seyogia diingatkan bahawa dalam keghairahan untuk mendapat sokongan politik, jangan sampai adat dan resam budaya bangsa dicemarkan. Beta menegaskan bahawa Raja dan takhta kekal berada di atas politik kepartian, bersifat berkecuali dan tidak memihak mana-mana kumpulan politik. Malah dalam Mesyuarat Dewan Negeri Perak kali ke-151 yang berlangsung pada 12 Mac yang lalu, Beta turut menzahirkan peringatan kepada Orang Besar-Orang Besar di negeri Perak supaya berwaspada dan berhati-hati dalam perkataan dan tindak-tanduk supaya tidak memberikan gambaran salah akan peranan institusi Raja dan takhta.

Orang-Orang Besar telah diperingatkan supaya mencerminkan sifat berkecuali dan tidak terlibat secara langsung dalam program-program yang dianjurkan atas nama parti politik dan bermatlamatkan politik kepartian. Senario politik semasa yang semakin terbahagi, memerlukan Orang Besar bijak melakukan tafsiran dan bijak melakukan tindakan supaya institusi istana dan institusi Orang Besar dapat mempertahankan imej berkecuali dan kekal berada di atas politik kepartian.

Bahawa Raja Pemerintah tidak sama sekali pernah menzahirkan sebarang kenyataan menyokong atau menentang mana-mana parti politik dan Beta juga telah menitahkan Orang Besar mengambil peranan sebagai orang tua yang memiliki hikmah berupaya berperanan sebagai orang tengah untuk membantu merungkai kekusutan jika berlaku dalam kalangan ummah.

Negara sedang menghadapi pelbagai dugaan dan cabaran, terkini dalam menangani pencerobohan yang sedang berlaku di bumi Sabah di negara kita. Beberapa wira negara telah gugur dalam melaksanakan tugas mempertahankan kedaulatan negara. Atas tanda menghargai pengorbanan para perwira negara mempertahankan kedaulatan negara, dengan perkenan Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Perak Darul Ridzuan, Yayasan Sultan Azlan Shah akan memberi sumbangan seratus ribu (100,000) ringgit kepada Tabung Ops Daulat. Di samping itu, Ahli-ahli Dewan Negara Perak semasa mesyuarat yang berlangsung pada 12 Mac lalu, setiap seorang telah bersetuju menghulurkan sumbangan lima ratus (500) ringgit kepada tabung yang sama.

Setiap kumpulan politik dan setiap warga jangan melakukan perkara sehingga menambah beban kerja pasukan keselamatan. Keamanan dan ketenteraman negara adalah tanggungjawab bersama. Hormatilah undang-undang dan peraturan yang ada, bertindaklah secara berhemah, beretika dan berhentilah dari melakukan manipulasi hingga ke peringkat mencemar kemuliaan takhta pemerintahan.

Beta dengan ini mengisytiharkan Istiadat Meletak Kerja Perayaan Ulang Tahun Hari Keputeraan Yang Kelapan Puluh Lima, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah dimulakan dan berikutan dengan ini dimulakan segala persiapan untuk mengendalikan upacara-upacara sempena Perayaan Ulang Tahun Hari Keputeraan Baginda.

Dipetik dari - Utusan Malaysia Online

Brunei needs more religious experts

Azlan Othman

BRUNEI currently lacks and requires more religious experts to best address the negative perceptions on Islam amid the evolution of technology and rising social ills amongst the community.

YB Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Hamid bin Bakal highlighted this issue during the Legislative Council meeting yesterday. Religious experts who are truly well versed in areas such as Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Nahu and philosophy among others are much needed by the Sultanate. This will aid in not only enhancing religious knowledge but also to counter any negative perceptions on the religion brought about by the advancement of ICT.

He then highlighted His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s titah on the increment of allowances for Masters and PhD holders during a get-together with Brunei students in Egypt recently. This would further encourage students to pursue higher education and not be complacent at a degree level.

In his reply, the Minister of Religious Affairs, YB Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pg Hj Abdul Rahman explained that only the late Professor Dato Hj Mahmud Saedon had a PhD from Al-Azhar University, Egypt where it is rather difficult to obtain such qualifications. Hence, the ministry is providing a special allowance for PhD holders.

YB Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Hamid bin Bakal also questioned the issue of women attending religious classes at mosques while having their monthly menstruations. The minister said women should take this into account before entering the mosques.

Issues pertaining to religious school periods, the need to provide school buses for students and inadequate classrooms at religious schools were also raised.

The Minister of Religious Affairs highlighted that an ‘Insyirah programme’ has been introduced to address issues faced on schooling sessions. Students from preschool to Year Three will begin classes from 7.30am to 10.45am as the conventional afternoon session begins at 12 noon.

“Currently, this is the initiative undertaken to resolve the situation although not all will be pleased with such arrangements. We, however, will continue to strive in finding better ways to solve the predicaments at hand,” the minister said in responding to questions posed by YB Datin Paduka Hjh Salbiah binti Hj Sulaiman who also shared that school periods should be organised efficiently to prevent Civil Servants from continuously leaving the office to pick up their children.

On the issue of school buses, the minister explained that no such facility is available for religious school students as normally, they are also studying in government institutions and live near the school vicinity.

“The Ministry of Education looks into areas where school buses are required and if a need arises, we will assist the students. As for the school time-table, it will be analysed,” the minister said. YB Datin Paduka Hjh Salbiah raised concerns on inadequate classrooms at religious schools, which will in turn, affect a student’s learning development. She reiterated that six schools will be built under the 10th National Development Plan but for the financial year 2013-2014, only one school will be constructed at the Lambak National Housing Scheme. Hence, requesting that another block be built to save cost.

The minister highlighted that building a separate block near the primary school for religious education is not feasible and will only put a burden on the country’s financial capability. Such a concept will be looked into in the near future, nonetheless.

Meanwhile, YB Hj Sulaiman bin Hj Ahad queried on the time taken to process court cases on ‘Khalwat’ and called for such processes to be speeded up.

In response, the minister explained that Syariah criminal cases in Temburong are relatively low compared to other districts, citing less exposure to social ills as a reason behind it while encouraging the community to tackle social issues and offences relating to Syariah crimes to mould Brunei as a Zikir Nation.

The ministry has since opened up 25 vacancies to fill the posts of enforcement officers in the Temburong District as only three religious enforcement officers are stationed there. As for court cases, these need thorough investigation, arrest warrants and pressing charges, which sometimes take time. If required, such court proceedings would be speeded up but the ministry is unable to interfere in such cases.

The establishment of an Arabic school in Temburong was also raised by YB Hj Sulaiman bin Hj Ahad. The minister said that the new Arabic school, which is currently hosted in a religious institution, will be established in Kg Gadong in Temburong with a $7 million budget allocation.

YB Hj Sulaiman also called for the establishment of an Al-Quran learning centre in Temburong. The minister reiterated that although it is a good suggestion, this is not the time to do so. Brunei has established the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Jln Tutong.

Dipetik dari - Borneo Bulletin

King: Monarchy is maintaining its role as the symbol of national identity

Amman, March 20 (Petra)--His Majesty King Abdullah II said that the Monarchy is maintaining its role as the symbol of national unity and the voice of all Jordanians in defense of the core values of our national identity.

In an interview with the Associated Press (AP) conducted by its Amman Bureau Chief Jamal Halabi the King said the Monarchy’s paramount objective is to safeguard Jordan’s prosperity, stability, security, and unity, and work for the wellbeing of Jordanians, so they can meet their aspirations.

"We are writing a whole new chapter in our history, and I am not writing it alone – the people and their representatives, political forces, civil society are writing it with me, he added.

The King said that our reform roadmap has a clear trajectory, with milestones and prerequisites. "Part of this trajectory involves keeping on developing our electoral system, through our constitutional institutions, so that it becomes more representative, maintains pluralism, provides a level playing field, and is conducive to the formation of party-based parliamentary governments,".

In reply to a question on economic challenges facing Jordan, the King said that the global crisis had already hit our economy, then came the Arab Spring - tourism and investments slowed, Syrian refugees further strained our resources and infrastructure, trade through Syria all but halted.

"The coup-de-grace was the interruption in the supply of Egyptian gas, accounting for almost 80% of our electricity generation needs, at a time of globally record-high oil prices," he said, noting that this alone has been costing the government more than US$2b a year.

"Add to this the costs of hosting about half a million Syrian refugees, or 9% of our population". It’s as if over 30 million refugees flooded into the US, the majority having crossed in less than 12 months." On the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Jordan, King Abdullah added that the direct costs of hosting Syrian refugees are US$550 million annually at current refugee levels, which are expected to almost double over the next 6-8 months.

He said that the radicalisation of Syria, together with the deadlock in the peace process, would ignite the entire region. "Another extremely dangerous scenario is the fragmentation of Syria, which would trigger sectarian conflicts across the region for generations to come. And also the huge risk that Syria could become a regional base for extremist and terrorist groups, which we are already seeing setting strong footholds in some areas".

Jordan, the King added works within Arab consensus and international consensus and legalities. "I am totally against sending Jordanian troops inside Syria and this has always been Jordanian policy. I am also against any foreign military intervention in Syria, he said.

In reply to a question on the future of Syria and whether Bashar Assad may ultimately be able to survive the civil war, the King said: "I believe we are past that point, too much destruction, too much blood. But ultimately this is something for the Syrian people to determine. The key question is whether Syria will plunge into chaos or there will be a transition, and what kind of transition."

Dipetik dari - Jordan News Agency (Petra)