Polisi dermasiswa baru

LONDON, 29 Dis – Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam bertitah menegaskan, Baginda ingin melihat satu polisi dermasiswa baru dibentuk bagi memastikan calon-calon penerima biasiswa Kerajaan adalah benar-benar layak.

Baginda turut menasihatkan pelajar-pelajar supaya tidak semata-mata bergantung kepada Kerajaan dalam mencari pekerjaan.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia bertitah demikian semasa berkenan berangkat ke Majlis Bersama Rakyat dan Penduduk Negara Brunei Darussalam yang berada di United Kingdom dan Ireland yang terdiri daripada penuntut-penuntut, pegawai pegawai kerajaan yang bertugas, berkursus dan yang berada di United Kingdom dan Ireland bersama keluarga; dan Penganugerahan Biasiswa ‘Chancellor’s Scholar’ Universiti Brunei Darussalam Sesi 2013/2014. Majlis tersebut telah berlangsung di Hotel Hilton on Park Lane, London, United Kingdom hari ini.

Berangkat sama Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha.

Keberangkatan tiba Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri di hotel tersebut dijunjung oleh Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Negara Brunei Darussalam ke United Kingdom dan Ireland Utara Tuan Yang Terutama Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Aziyan bin Abdullah serta isteri; dan Yang Di-Pertua Persatuan Penuntut-Penuntut Negara Brunei Darussalam di United Kingdom dan Ireland Utara (Brunei Students Union)Awang Radin Abdullah bin Radin Mas Basiuni.

Mengiringi keberangkatan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia berdua ke Majlis tersebut ialah Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar Pengiran Muda Mohamed Bolkiah, Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri dan Perdagangan; Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Duli Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Malek; Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Duli Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Mateen; Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Puteri Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah; Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Puteri Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; dan Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Amal Nasibah.

Majlis dimulakan dengan bacaan ayat-ayat suci Al-Quran oleh Awang Mohd Ayadey Hazawallah bin Haji Mohd Zain, Pelajar Tahun Ke-3 dari Kensington College of Business, jurusan Business Management, dan intisarinya pula dibacakan oleh Awang Muhd Afif bin Abu Bakar, Pelajar Tahun Ke-2 dari University of Hull, jurusan Inggeris. Majlis disusuli dengan doa selamat yang telah dibacakan oleh Mufti Kerajaan Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr.) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

Setelah itu, sembah alu-aluan telah disembahkan oleh Awang Radin Abdullah bin Radin Mas Basiuni, Yang Di-Pertua Persatuan Penuntut-Penuntut Negara Brunei Darussalam di United Kingdom dan Ireland Utara. Baginda Sultan semasa berkenan mengurniakan titah, melahirkan rasa syukur kehadrat Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala kerana dapat lagi bersama-sama rakyat dan penduduk Negara Brunei Darussalam yang menuntut dan berkhidmat mahupun sedang bercuti di United Kingdom.

Baginda mengambil maklum bahawa penuntut-penuntut tersebut adalah dari kalangan mereka yang mempunyai tahap akademik yang tinggi dan adalah pelaburan berterusan untuk masa depan negara.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia seterusnya bertitah bahawa Negara bukan sahaja memerlukan rakyat yang berpendidikan tetapi juga yang memiliki kepimpinan dan etika yang tinggi. Itu adalah objektif Kerajaan dalam menghasilkan sumber tenaga manusia untuk Negara.

Baginda seterusnya bertitah bahawa walaupun sering dinasihati atau diberikan dorongan, namun masih terdapat beberapa isu di kalangan pelajar. Isu-isu tersebut termasuk isu kegagalan dan mengulang pengajian, yang berisiko boleh membawa orang cenderung untuk menukar kursus yang diambil. Ini belum termasuk isu pelajar yang memegang biasiswa Kerajaan memohon untuk dilepaskan dari ikatjanji berkhidmat dengan kerajaan.

Semua itu berpotensi untuk menjejaskan perancangan peruntukan Kerajaan. Dalam hal ini, Baginda telah mempersoalkan komitmen dan kesetiaan para pelajar terhadap Kerajaan dan Negara.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia seterusnya bertitah melahirkan kegembiraan dalam mengetahui bahawa pada tahun ini, Kementerian Pendidikan telah mengambil inisiatif bagi memastikan calon-calon adalah benar-benar layak dianugerahkan biasiswa iaitu melalui kaedah ‘Multiple Mini-Interview’ (MMI) yang mana pelajar-pelajar dinilai bukan sahaja dari aspek pencapaian akademik bahkan juga difokuskan kepada sifat kesetiaan dan komitmen kepada Negara.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia juga bertitah menambah bahawa dalam pada yang sama, Kementerian Pendidikan juga perlu memantau jenis-jenis kursus yang diambil. Terdapat setengah pelajar yang sengaja mencari kursus yang tidak ditawarkan di universiti-universiti tempatan bagi mudah mendapatkan biasiswa keluar negeri. Perkara ini juga perlu dipantau dan dinilai bagi mengelakkan ketidaksepadanan atau mismatch dengan keperluan Negara.

Mismatch tersebut adalah salah satu penyumbang kepada pengangguran yang telah menjadi isu global.

Baginda menambah bahawa di Negara Brunei Darussalam, 18 ribu belia dijangka sebagai pencari kerja, termasuk yang berpendidikan tinggi yang jumlah semakin meningkat iaitu dari 470 orang pada tahun 2001 kepada 968 orang pada tahun 2011.

Bagi mengawal tren yang tidak wajar tersebut, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia telah memperkenankan penubuhan Badan Khas Yang Bertanggungjawap Menyediakan Dasar Perancangan Sumber Tenaga Manusia. Badan Khas tersebut akan menjadi platform bagi kementerian-kementerian dan agensi-agensi swasta untuk memberikan anggaran keperluan tenaga kerja (workforce demand) masing-masing.

Pada masa yang sama, Baginda ingin melihat satu polisi dermasiswa baru dibentuk bagi memastikan calon-calon penerima biasiswa Kerajaan adalah benar-benar layak.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia juga bertitah menasihatkan pelajar-pelajar supaya tidak semata-mata bergantung kepada Kerajaan dalam mencari pekerjaan.

Mereka perlu lebih bersedia menanam sifat keusahawanan di dalam diri masing-masing.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia juga bertitah mengucapkan tahniah kepada dua orang pelajar terpilih di bawah Skim Biasiswa The Chancellor’s Scholar Universiti Brunei Darussalam Sesi 2013/2014 dalam pengajian di peringkat PhD.

Baginda berharap para penerima anugerah tersebut akan dapat membuktikan kecemerlangan mereka. Baginda juga berharap supaya pelajar-pelajar tidak akan melupakan tujuan mereka untuk belajar dan bukan untuk yang lain-lain.

Jangan cepat-cepat hilang punca jika berhadapan dengan keadaan-keadaan tertentu, misalnya anasir-anasir jahat yang ingin mempengaruhi pelajar-pelajar, sama ada ia berupa fahaman-fahaman keugamaan atau ideologi-ideologi yang tidak diingini.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia bertitah menambah bahawa baru-baru ini telah mendengar tentang cerita penuntut yang menukar haluannya kepada meminati ideologi tertentu sehingga membawanya meninggalkan keluarga dan tanah air dalam tempoh berpuluh-puluh tahun lamanya.

Baginda berdoa semoga perkara seumpama itu diselisihkan oleh Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala daripada berlaku kepada pelajar-pelajar Brunei. Apa yang penting, para pelajar berpegang teguh dengan ajaran ugama Islam tulen, dan turut mengikuti perkembangan di tanah air, terutama sekali mengenai langkah melaksanakan Undang-Undang Jenayah Syar’iah. Walaupun berada di luar negeri, namun perlu turut tahu, sekurang-kurangnya mengetahui pengertian pengertian yang terkandung di dalamnya.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia mengakhiri titah dengan berdoa semoga semua pelajar sentiasa berada dalam lindungan Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala serta berjaya mencapai cita-cita.

Selepas mengurniakan titah, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia berkenan mengurniakan Anugerah Biasiswa ‘The Chancellor’s Scholar’ Universiti Brunei Darussalam kepada dua orang pelajar PhD iaitu Awang Haji Abdul Hanif bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahadi yang mengikuti pengajian Doktor Falsafah di bidang Kimia Inorganik di University of Oxford; dan Dayang Siti Nornadhirah binti Haji Amdani yang akan mengikuti Doktor Falsafah di bidang Obstetrik dan Gynaekologi di University of Oxford.

Di majlis tersebut, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia juga berkenan menerima pesambah dari Yang Di-Pertua Persatuan Penuntut-Penuntut Negara Brunei Darussalam di United Kingdom dan Ireland Utara sementara Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri berkenan menerima pesembah daripada Naib Yang Di-pertua Persatuan Penuntut-Penuntut Negara Brunei Darussalam di United Kingdom dan Ireland Utara.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri juga berkenan berangkat bercemar Duli bersama lebih kurang 2,600 rakyat dan penduduk Brunei Darussalam yang berada di United Kingdom dan Ireland, terdiri daripada penuntut-penuntut, pegawai-pegawai kerajaan yang bertugas, berkursus dan dalam percutian bersama keluarga.

Sebelum Majlis Bersama Rakyat dan Penduduk Negara Brunei Darussalam yang berada di United Kingdom dan Ireland diadakan, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri berkenan berangkat ke Majlis Santap Minum Tengahari bersama dengan pegawai-pegawai di Suruhanjaya Tinggi Negara Brunei Darussalam di London dan penuntut-penuntut Negara Brunei Darussalam yang telah berjaya mendapat keputusan cemerlang dalam pengajian masing-masing. Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri juga berkenan berangkat bagi sesi bergambar ramai dengan para Pegawai Kanan Suruhanjaya Tinggi Negara Brunei Darussalam di London serta ahli-ahli Jawatankuasa Majlis Bersama Rakyat dan Penduduk Negara Brunei Darussalam yang berada di United Kingdom dan Ireland. Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri kemudiaannya berkenan berangkat bagi sesi bergambar ramai dengan para Penerima anugerah Biasiswa “The Chancellor’s Scholar” Universiti Brunei Darussalam Sesi 2013/2014.

Dipetik dari - Media Permata

His Majesty calls for new scholarship policy

IN ENSURING that Brunei Darussalam meets its current and future human resource needs, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to the establishment of a Special Body responsible to carry out evaluations for the country’s Human Resource Planning Policy, Borneo Bulletin reported.

The new body, His Majesty said, will be a platform for ministries and the private sector to provide estimation of the county’s required workforce.

The monarch also said he wanted a new and firmer vetting policy for government scholarships to ensure only the best and worthy students are selected.

The ruler delivered a titah in London during a get-together ceremony with Bruneian citizens and residents in the United Kingdom and Ireland yesterday.

His Majesty also reminded government scholarship awardees overseas of their commitment and loyalty to the country.

Noting that high academic achievers make up a big number of those attending the ceremony held at the Hilton on Park Lane Hotel, London yesterday, His Majesty said they make up part of a “continuous investment for the nation’s future”.

The monarch added that not only well-educated citizens are desired, but they must also demonstrate strong leadership and ethics. “That is the objective of the government in producing human resource required by the nation,” His Majesty said.

However, the monarch said despite frequent reminders and encouragement, there are still some issues prevalent among students. “Among them are cases of academic failures and retaining classes which leads to students switch their courses,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty also said there are a number of government scholarship holders who have implored to be discharged from being bonded to serve the government. “All of these are potentially harmful for the government’s plans and allocation,” the ruler said.

“In this respect, where does their commitment and loyalty lay with the government and the nation?” His Majesty rhetorically asked.

On this matter, His Majesty said he was pleased to note that the Ministry of Education (MoE) has taken the initiative this year to ensure that only worthy candidates are granted scholarships through the introduction of ‘Multiple Mini Interview’ (MMI), where candidates are not only assessed in terms of academic achievement, but also their loyalty and commitment to the country.

His Majesty also reminded the MoE to constantly scrutinise the type of courses to be offered to scholarship students due to the fact that some students are known to have deliberately selected courses not offered in local universities just to gain scholarship grant overseas.

Constant monitoring, His Majesty said, will avoid a mismatch with the country’s employment needs which is fast becoming a major factor in global employment.

His Majesty said in Brunei Darussalam alone, approximately 18,000 youths are job seekers, including those who have attained higher education, which is now on the rise from 470 in 2001 to 968 individuals in 2011.

His Majesty also advised students not to rely solely on the government for employment as they must be willing to instil the spirit of entrepreneurship in themselves.

His Majesty also hoped that the students will not sway from the path of education. “They should not lose their path when faced with certain circumstances, such as negative elements that seek to influence students, be it undesirable religious faiths or ideologies,” the monarch added.

His Majesty said recently there was news of a student who adopted a particular ideology to the extent that the student has abandoned his family and country for decades.

The monarch also reminded students to adhere to the teachings of Islam and also to follow the developments at home, especially on measures to implement the Syariah Penal Code. “Even though not in their homeland, students must also be aware at least of the meanings contained therein,” His Majesty added.

Dipetik dari - BorneoPost Online

Ulasan Buku - Limbang Rebellion: 7 Days In December 1962

Seeds of Konfrontasi

By SANTHA OORJITHAM

THE Limbang Rebellion in Borneo was the prelude to Malaysia’s confrontation – or Konfrontasi, as it’s more popularly known – with Indonesia and helped to convince Sarawakians of the wisdom of joining in the formation of Malaysia. Yet it is not mentioned in our school history textbooks and unless our families or our friends were directly affected, many of us know little about the weeklong uprising in December 1962. That’s why Limbang Rebellion should be on your year-end list of books to read.

Sydney-based historian Eileen Chanin brings a very personal angle and touch to her tale.

Australian-born Richard “Dick” Morris was British Resident of Sarawak’s Fifth Division when he and his wife Dorothy were taken hostage.

Chanin, who later became their daughter-in-law, had access to the couple’s unpublished manuscripts and letters.

She interviewed many of the players – including the Royal Marines who came to the rescue – and delved into archives in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Britain.

In an extensive bibliography, she has meticulously listed all her reference material – right down to the date on which she accessed various websites.

But don’t let the pages of maps, glossary, footnotes, bibliography and index overwhelm you.

Limbang Rebellion reads more like a thriller, drawing you into the lives of the people caught in the conflict.

Chanin sets the stage, pointing out that rebellion has had a long history in the region of Borneo, starting with the 1841 rebellion which British adventurer Sir James Brooke helped the Sultan of Brunei to suppress.

By 1962, Sarawak had passed through World War II and the Japanese Occupation. “Britain wanted out – but most Sarawakians wanted the status quo preserved,” writes Chanin.

She traces the responses to the plan for the British territories of Borneo to form a new Federation of Malaysia, noting that “many in Sarawak were wary”.

And she notes that Britain’s Colonial Office was “apprehensive about Indonesian moves in the Borneo region. It was expecting that the Indonesian Government would distract attention from serious domestic problems by launching ‘claim’ to neighbouring territory.”

By Dec 6, although Dick had received reports about a possible uprising from Limbang and from Miri, he accepted the official opinion that there was no certainty of trouble.

“We agreed that the Police should be placed in a state of alert but that no further action should be taken.”

Former police constable Salleh Sambas led the rebels in Limbang.

But at 2am on Dec 8, the armed wing of the Brunei People’s Party (which opposed the formation of Malaysia) launched coordinated attacks across Brunei, in Sarawak’s Fifth Division and the western edge of North Borneo (now Sabah).

Chanin then picks up the pace with a blow-by-blow account of the rebel action, the experiences of the hostages and the rescue mission that succeeded even though the Royal Marines were vastly outnumbered.

She also recounts the bravery of many of the locals.

For example, Dorothy had earlier begun to revive the Limbang Group of the Red Cross, which had lapsed due to lack of support and funds.

She had held a first meeting, at which the business community promised building material and labour for a Red Cross headquarters.

A local headman and Limbang’s postman, Abang Omar Abang Samaudin, offered to help and his daughter was appointed cadet officer.

When the rebellion broke out, Abang Omar and his daughter treated the wounds of both the revolutionaries and the police, and he told the rebels to send the bodies of the policemen who had been killed to the mosque for burial. That night, his family sewed Red Cross “uniforms” and the following day, he insisted that all civilian patients be released.

Then he met rebel leader Salleh Sambas and demanded permission to visit the prisoners under the rules of the World Red Cross conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war. The following year, Abang Omar was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct. His story is just one of many woven through the account, making what happened 51 years ago come to life.

Dipetik dari - The Star Online

TPP dijangka dimuktamad 2015

KUALA LUMPUR - Perjanjian utama perdagangan bebas abad ke-21, yang sedang dirundingkan oleh 12 negara dalam Lingkaran Pasifik, termasuk Malaysia, dijangka dimuktamadkan seawal 2015.

Perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik (TPP) itu, penuh kontroversi dan  menarik banyak kritikan dan bantahan daripada pelbagai pihak berkepentingan, yang berhujah bahawa perjanjian itu dijangka memberi manfaat kepada Amerika Syarikat (AS), perbadanan besar dan mengancam kedaulatan negara manakala penyokongnya pula mendakwa ia mampu merangsang perdagangan.

Ini kerana TPP, melibatkan Malaysia, Singapura, Jepun, Vietnam, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Mexico, Chile, AS dan Kanada, yang menyumbang kepada 40 peratus daripada keluaran dalam negara kasar dunia, akan memansuhkan halangan perdagangan dan membuka akses pasaran.

Pegawai Kanan Ekonomi Asean UBS Investment Bank, Edward Teather berkata, kerajaan di rantau Asean lebih bersedia melibatkan diri dalam rundingan TPP dan mengambil beberapa risiko politik yang merupakan sebahagian daripada agenda pembaharuan mereka untuk meningkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi berikutan peningkatan unjuran ekonomi AS dan Eropah tahun depan.

“Kami menjangkakan eksport menyokong pertumbuhan ekonomi Asean tahun depan ketika kitaran kredit perlahan dan menyebabkan kurang keyakinan ke atas hutang dan defisit hutang semasa,” katanya kepada Bernama.

Beliau menjelaskan, kadar faedah yang terlalu rendah dan lanjutan kredit, mendorong rakyat untuk berbelanja terlalu banyak.

Bagaimanapun, Teather berkata krisis tidak berlaku di rantau ini disebabkan lembaran imbangan di kebanyakan negara di rantau Asia Tenggara masih bersih.

Dalam kes Malaysia, beliau berkata pemulihan dalam eksport dijangka menguasai ketika penyepaduan fiskal berterusan dengan kerajaan dijangkakan meneruskan agenda pembaharuannya, beralih daripada perbelanjaan subsidi yang membazir serta memberi tumpuan terhadap persekitaran perniagaan.

Dalam hal ini, beliau berkata TPP merupakan petunjuk pembaharuan mengenai kesediaan Malaysia untuk mengambil bahagian dalam rundingan yang mencerminkan kesediaan  berubah pada tahun-tahun akan datang.  

Teather mengunjurkan, TPP akan dilaksanakan seawal-awalnya pada 2015, dengan manfaat ekonomi dalam kalangan negara yang mengambil bahagian, diperoleh selepas itu.

Sementara itu, Wakil Perdagangan AS, Michael Froman berkata, kemajuan besar dicapai dalam empat hingga lima bulan lalu dalam memuktamadkan isu, mengurangkan perbezaan dan menumpukan perhatian kepada isu berkaitan politik dalam TPP.

Kami ingin memastikan perjanjian itu baik untuk semua negara yang terlibat,” katanya baru-baru ini semasa melawat Malaysia.

Beliau turut membincangkan dan berkongsi perspektif dengan menteri, Kaukus parlimen TPP dan pihak berkepentingan.

Froman bagaimanapun tidak memberi petunjuk mengenai garis masa tertentu untuk memuktamadkan TPP, sebaliknya menyatakan bahawa kehadiran negara anggota berbincang dan mencari jalan untuk menangani sensitiviti, perbincangan boleh dimuktamadkan.

“Ini konsisten dengan standard tinggi keseluruhan perjanjian, dorongan untuk integrasi perdagangan di seluruh rantau ini dan selaras dengan matlamat  Kerjasama Ekonomi Asia Pasifik (Apec),” katanya.

Dari segi sensitiviti dan isu-isu tertunggak, Froman berkata, Bab Harta Intelek merupakan isu paling sukar dan mencabar.

Dalam rundingan menteri TPP di Singapura dari 7 hingga 10 Disember, 2013, kenyataan oleh Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (Miti) Malaysia menyatakan bahawa jurang yang luas masih wujud dalam banyak isu, dan memerlukan rundingan lanjut.

Banyak isu mengenai perusahaan milik negara, alam sekitar, hak harta  intelek (IPR) dan akses pasaran, masih belum jelas dan perunding telah ditugaskan untuk meneroka penyelesaiannya, kata Miti.

Tarikh sasaran akhir tahun untuk memuktamadkan rundingan TPP yang ditetapkan oleh pemimpin pada Mesyuarat Pemimpin-pemimpin Apec di Bali pada Oktober 2013, terbukti sukar dicapai.

Malaysia terus berunding pada pusingan ke-18 dan 19 di Kota Kinabalu, Sabah dan Brunei tahun ini, menonjolkan kebimbangan khusus dan sensitiviti dalam bidang perolehan kerajaan, perusahaan milik negara, isu-isu Bumiputera, IPR, alam sekitar dan penyelesaian pertikaian pelabur serta keperluan untuk memberi  fleksibiliti termasuk tempoh peralihan dan komitmen tertentu negara.

Malaysia terus bekerjasama dengan lain-lain anggota TPP mengenai butiran pelonggaran ini.

 Pada mesyuarat menteri TPP di Singapura, membabitkan rundingan akses pasaran, mencatat beberapa kejayaan dalam penawaran anggota TPP, namun Malaysia meneruskan usaha untuk mendapatkan pakej yang lebih baik.

Malaysia membuat pendirian bahawa rundingan dengan pelbagai pihak berkepentingan sepatutnya menjadi sumber rujukan pada rundingan TPP yang sedang berjalan.

Perunding kini menyediakan jadual waktu kerja rundingan TPP akan datang.

Sementara itu, mesyuarat TPP akan datang dijangka berlangsung pada Januari.

TPP yang dikaitkan dengan serampang dua mata atau 'Kuda Trojan' untuk dominasi ekonomi, pastinya mencetuskan minat besar, namun ia merupakan senjata berbahaya dan berkuasa atas nama ‘perdagangan bebas’ Abad ke-21.

Dipetik dari - Sinar Harian

Brunei bantu laksana hudud

MOHD ZAILANI ABD RAHMAN

KOTA BHARU -  Kerajaan Kelantan akan mengadakan kerjasama erat dengan kerajaan Brunei termasuk menghantar pegawai bertanggungjawab bagi melihat pelaksanaan hukuman hudud  di negara terbabit.

Perkara itu antara yang diputuskan selepas pertemuan pemimpin kerajaan Kelantan diketuai Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Yakob bersama Sultan Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah dan menterinya pada lawatan ke negara terbabit dari 17- 20 Disember  yang lalu.

Ahmad ketika mengadakan pertemuan dengan Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, minggu lalu.

Ahmad berkata, pihaknya menghargai kerjasama Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah yang menerima kunjungan delegasi kerajaan negeri dengan mengarahkan semua agensi yang terlibat dalam perlaksanaan hudud di negara itu memberi kerjasama  kepada Kelantan.

Katanya, dalam kunjungan seramai lapan pemimpin kerajaan negeri itu, pihaknya telah dibawa dan diberi penerangan berkaitan pelaksanaan hukuman itu di empat jabatan iaitu kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama, Pejabat Peguam Negara,  Mahkamah Syariah dan Pejabat Mufti Brunei.

“Kunjungan ini pada asasnya adalah untuk mengucapkan tahniah kepada kerajaan Brunei yang mewartakan kanun jenayah syariah, sebenarnya Brunei tidak mempunyai masalah yang besar kerana Sultan mempunyai kuasa penuh. Titah Sultan terus jadi undang-undang.

“Kita juga ada bertanya adakah ada masalah semasa melaksanakan undang-undang ini dan mereka nyatakan tiada bantahan kecuali  pihak kedutaan asing untuk mendapatkan penerangan. Ia sememangnya beri rangsangan untuk negeri melaksana hudud yang kita telah luluskan di Dun sejak 1993,” katanya kepada Sinar Harian, semalam.

Delegasi itu dihadiri dua Exco Kerajaan Negeri, Datuk Nassuruddin Daud, Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan, Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, Datuk Dr Zainuddin Ibrahim, Mufti Kelantan, Datuk Mohd Syukri Mohamad, Pengarah Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Kelantan (JAHEIK) Datuk Che Mohd Rahim Jusoh, Timbalan Exco, Datuk Hassan Mahmod dan Pengarah Institut Pemikiran Tok Guru  (IPTG), Dr Che Samsudin Mohammad Noor.

Ahmad yang juga Pesuruhjaya Pas Kelantan berkata, dalam pertemuan itu, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah turut bertitah supaya kerajaan negeri komited dan tidak bimbang dengan pelaksanaan  hukuman itu kerana ia adalah undang-undang ALLAH SWT.

“Baginda bertitah kepada rombongan itu, ‘Jangan takut, ia adalah undang-undang ALLAH’,' Kata-kata ini benar-benar memberi rangsangan yang besar kepada kami untuk memastikan perlaksanaan ini berjaya,” katanya.

Menurutnya, kos lawatan itu ditanggung kerajaan Brunei.

Katanya, pegawai kerajaan Brunei pernah hadir di Kelantan  pada 2006 untuk mengkaji undang-undang yang diluluskan di negeri ini, namun kerana berkat dan kemudahan dari negara itu mampu merealisasikan hukuman itu lebih awal dari Kelantan.

Mengenai pelaksanaan hudud di Kelantan, Ahmad berkata, pihaknya sedang menunggu keputusan dari persidangan meja bulat yang dipengerusikan Timbalan Menteri Besar, Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

“Ada pelbagai pandangan sama ada perlu pindaan perlembagaan atau tidak. Kita akan buat rumusan di meja bulat ini. Mungkin kita laksanakan  apa yang  boleh dulu mengikut fasal, kita gabungkan undang panel kod dan takzir dulu, sebelum hudud dilaksanakan.

“Berdoalah semoga semua pihak memahami dan melihat (keberkesanan hudud) Brunei. Ia tidak menjejaskan industri. Sudah sampai masa jenayah negara kita ditangani  dengan kanun jenayah syariah,” katanya.

Dipetik dari - Sinar Harian

HIV cases among women rise

Billah Hasan
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE percentage of new reported cases of HIV among women in Brunei Darussalam increased from 15 per cent to 37.5 per cent between 2008-2009 and 2010-2011.

More than one-third of newly reported HIV cases involve women and girls, according to The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, in its country brief report on affected women and girls in Brunei.

The majority of cases were due to unsafe heterosexual intercourse with infected partners.

Meanwhile, among the new HIV cases reported between 2010 and 2011, 40 per cent were married at the time of diagnosis. It was also noted that in 2011 Brunei recorded the first and only case of mother-to-child transmission since 1995.

According to the report, those affected included women and girls living with HIV, female intimate partners of men with high-risk behaviour and female migrant workers who may be vulnerable to HIV due to conditions by which they migrate.

With the rising number of HIV cases in the country, relevant authorities have striven to improve public access to health services, especially those involved in risky behaviour to get tested for HIV.

In terms of access to health services, the government provides free and comprehensive health care to all citizens and permanent residents of Brunei. This includes all aspects of prevention, care, treatment and support for HIV, although there is no separate budget specifically allocated for HIV/AIDS.

First-line antiretrovirals are readily provided to citizens and permanent residents. Although available, second- and third-line have to be applied for on an individual basis. According to the report, 17 adults and children with advanced HIV infection received antiretroviral therapy in 2010.

To minimise mother-to-child transmission, Brunei has compulsory antenatal screening for HIV for pregnant women. Dried Blood Spot technology is also available to detect viral genetic material during pregnancy, according to the report.

On the other hand, access to health for Brunei’s migrants and overseas workers is dependent on their work contract and permit.

Under the Infectious Disease Order 2003, it is compulsory for all clinicians to report positive cases to the Department of Health Services. The Infectious Disease Order 2003 also specifically protects the confidentiality of all persons who are diagnosed. The order also criminalises HIV transmission and exposure by HIV positive people.

UN Women’s country report on Brunei on HIV and key affected women and girls was developed by the Asia-Pacific Interagency Task Team on Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV. The collected data is used to improve understanding of women and girls most at risk of, and most affected by, HIV in the region.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, Iswandy Ahmad, the president of the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council said it was important to empower women and girls with sexual reproductive knowledge.

“Biologically and culturally, women are more susceptible to HIV infection from men or their spouse who are infected with HIV. As HIV is transmitted from unsafe sexual relations, sharing infected syringes ... it is of vital for girls and women have access to correct information, accessible health services and are self-empowered.”

Iswandy added that men should also play their part in behaving responsibly to avoid infecting their female partners. He said that with more young women and girls attending full-time education to the highest level and building careers, (life-skills) education and policies should address the gender-specific needs of women, for example reproductive health.

“I call on all women to empower themselves with the correct knowledge and to behave responsibly – including men too. Authorities must have supporting policies on active involvement for women and young girls on issues as well as programmes on HIV and AIDS and reproductive health that affect them,” he said.

Iswandy added that the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council would be releasing the results of a preliminary survey on the public’s general knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS in Brunei Darussalam today. At the moment, there is virtually no data available on HIV knowledge and the vulnerability of the population in Brunei Darussalam, according to the report released by UN Women. There is a complete lack of data on risk behaviours among key population as well as among the general population, it added.

The recent survey by the council will help to formulate better strategies for effective HIV prevention . There are also plans by relevant authorities to initiate behavioural surveillance among youth and at schools over the next few years.

World AIDS day is observed annually on December 1.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Brunei model terbaik

Oleh Abdul Rahim Haji Ismail

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 19 Dis – Menteri Besar Kelantan Darul Naim, Yang Amat Berhormat Ustaz Dato Haji Ahmad Yakob menganggap Negara Brunei Darussalam sebagai model dan contoh terbaik sebuah negara Islam pertama di Asia yang melaksanakan undang-undang Syar’iah dan dapat dicontohi oleh Kelantan khususnya dan negara Islam serantau yang lain.

Sambil menyembahkan ucapan tahniah ke hadapan majlis Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam di atas keputusan Baginda melaksanakan Kanun Jenayah Syar’iah di negara ini, beliau menyifatkan langkah Baginda itu merupakan satu titik bersejarah dan pembakar semangat kepada Negara Brunei Darussalam untuk selalu beristiqamah dalam mendaulatkan syariat Islam.

YAB Ustaz Dato Haji Ahmad menyatakan perkara ini semasa mengetuai rombongan delegasi kerajaan Negeri Kelantan Darul Naim mengadakan kunjungan ke Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan hari ini.

Beliau menyifatkan lawatan ke sini telah memberi semangat kepada Kelantan kerana dapat melihat dan mengetahui keadaan sebenar keupayaan Brunei ke arah melaksanakan Perintah Kanun Hukum Jenayah Syar’iah dan mencari halangan-halangan yang terdapat di Malaysia supaya dapat terus dilaksanakan di negeri  itu.

Mufti Kerajaan, Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned ketika berucap mengalu-alukan  lawatan  Ustaz Dato Haji Ahmad dan 14 pegawai kanan kerajaan Negeri Kelantan Darul Naim ke Darulifta hari ini berkata, hubungan antara Negara Brunei Darussalam dan Kelantan Darul Naim sebagai tali persaudaraan yang terjalin kerana Allah SWT yang tidak akan berganjak daripada menjadi pencinta dan pembela umah.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Mufti berkata, persaudaraan kerana Allah itu benar-benar dirasai semasa majlis menghadap rombongan itu ke hadapan Majlis Baginda Sultan dua hari lalu.

“Saya melihat raja kami begitu ramah dan mesra dengan Dato-Dato, begitu juga di pihak Dato-Dato terhadap Baginda Sultan dan amat mengharukan sekali apabila mendengar ucapan tahniah kepada Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Baginda Sultan atas keputusan Baginda melaksanakan Kanun Jenayah Syar’iah di Negara Brunei Darussalam,” ujar Yang Berhormat Pehin.

Dato Haji Ahmad dalam ucapan balasnya berkata, selain dapat mewujudkan perasaan mahabbah dan kasih sayang di antara Kelantan Darul Naim dan Negara Brunei Darussalam, pengalaman yang diperoleh daripada lawatan itu merupakan pengalaman yang sangat berharga, sambil menjelaskan beliau akan terus menghantar rombongan pegawai-pegawainya untuk sebaik saja Perintah Kanun Jenayah Syar’iah itu dilaksanakan di negara ini untuk melihat dan mendapat pengalaman dan bukti jelas bahawa hukum hudud dapat dilaksanakan di negeri itu.

Ujarnya lagi, hasil pelaksanaan hukum hudud akan memastikan keamanan dan  menghapuskan ketakutan masyarakat untuk berada di negara masing-masing terutama daripada ancaman-ancaman jenayah, sekali gus akan mengurangkan perbuatan jenayah yang mengancam keamanan jiwa umat Islam hari ini

“Ini menjadi satu cabaran kepada kami di Negeri Kelantan Darul Naim yang pada 1993 telah meluluskan di Dewan Undangan Negeri Kanun Jenayah Syar’iah tetapi masih menghadapi halangan-halangan untuk melaksanakannya,” kata beliau.

Jelasnya lagi, setelah negara ini dapat melaksanakan hukum berkenaan kelak diharap akan memberi kesedaran kepada pemimpin negaranya untuk melaksanakan perintah Allah SWT itu.

Beliau menegaskan pengalaman dan pengetahuan yang diperoleh setelah menziarahi empat jabatan iaitu Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama, Jabatan Peguam Negara dan  pertemuan serta perbincangan dengan hakim-hakim Mahkamah Syariah dan Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan sangat berfaedah untuk dibawa balik.

Antara tujuan lawatan tersebut ialah untuk mempelajari serta mendapatkan maklumat dengan lebih jelas lagi mengenai perlaksanaan Hukum Hudud sebagai undang-undang di Negara Brunei Darussalam dalam proses untuk melaksanakan Hukum Hudud di Kelantan khususnya.

Pada kunjungan itu beberapa program diaturkan antaranya ialah perbincangan dan muzakarah dengan Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan yang diketuai oleh Yang Berhormat Pehin Mufti Kerajaan dan rombongan kerajaan Negeri Kelantan yang diketuai oleh Dato Haji Ahmad.

Beberapa pertanyaan menarik dikemukakan oleh ahli rombongan terutama mengenai perkembangan terkini di negara ini terhadap pelaksanaan Kanun Jenayah Syar’iah, di samping mengenai pengaruh dan kesannya terhadap pentadbiran dan kehidupan umum di negara ini.

Kunjungan rombongan kerajaan Negeri Kelantan itu berakhir dengan lawatan ke Balai Pameran Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah di Darul Ifta.

Sementara itu, petang ini Menteri Besar Kelantan berserta rombongan berkesempatan melawat ke Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Kampung Kiarong. Kunjungan mereka dialu-alukan oleh  Pemangku Pengarah Hal Ehwal Masjid, Awang Haji Amir Hishambin Haji Masri serta pegawai-pegawai dan kakitangan Jabatan Hal Ehwal Masjid.

Semasa lawatan tersebut, para rombongan ditayangkan dengan video mengenai Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah dan seterusnya menunaikan solar Asar berjemaah, sebelum dibawa meninjau di persekitaran luar dan dalam bangunan masjid itu.

Dipetik dari - Media Permata

Nelayan, petani demo bantah TPP

MUHAMMAD SHAMSUL ABD GHANI
18 Disember 2013

KUALA LUMPUR - Solidariti Utara Untuk Kedaulatan Makanan (Sukma) hari ini mengadakan satu demonstrasi bantah perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik (TTP) di hadapan Central Market, di sini.

Menurut bendaharinya, Radzi Said, demonstrasi bertujuan mendesak Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menolak perjanjian ini serta berusaha melindungi Dasar Sekuriti Jaminan Makanan Negara (DSJMN) dan mempromosi usaha-usaha ke arah mempertahankan kedaulatan makanan negara.

Sebahagian peserta demonstrasi membantah perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik

"DSJMN seharusnya menumpukan peningkatan bekalan makanan domestik untuk keperluan negara dan kedaulatan makanan negara...

"Ianya juga harus menjamin hak rakyat untuk memperoleh makanan hasil setempat yang bersih, sihat dan bebas daripada unsur-unsur kawalan korporat dan spekulasi pasaran.

"Perjanjian TTP seharusnya menumpukan usaha mempromosi perdagangan yang benar-benar bebas, adil dan selamat, namun melalui laporan-laporan yang boleh dipercayai dan kajian-kajian ekonomi, perkara sebaliknya yang berlaku, oleh itu kita tuntut PM supaya jangan memeterai perjanjian ini," katanya.

Perjanjian TPP menjadi isu yang cukup kontroversi sejak idea pembentukannya yang ketika itu dikenali sebagai Perjanjian Perkongsian Strategik Ekonomi Trans-Pasifik atau P4 bermatlamat meliberalisasi ekonomi rantau Asia Pasifik yang digerakkan oleh Brunei, Chile, New Zealand dan Singapura pada 2005.

Malaysia menyertai rundingan perjanjian TPP pada 2010. Rundingan tersebut kini diperluaskan meliputi 12 anggota.

Negara lain yang turut menyertai rundingan perjanjian TPP ialah Australia, Vietnam, Mexico, Kanada, Peru, Amerika Syarikat dan Jepun.

Hampir 50 orang yang terdiri daripada nelayan dan petani dari Kedah menyertai demonstrasi ini.

Dipetik dari - Sinar Harian

Non-Muslims should support Syariah law, says NDP president

A Shazy

NON-Muslims should accept and give moral support in the implementation of the Syariah Law, even if they are exempted from the law, said Haji Mahmud Morshidi Othman, President of the National Development Party (NDP).

“Non-Muslims, especially those residing in the border areas and remote villages, should cooperate with the government in ensuring the country’s security and harmony,” he added during a working visit to Temburong recently.

During a dialogue session, he also reminded everyone to be loyal to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, especially whenever the country faced challenges.

President of the National Development Party, Haji Mahmud
Morshidi Othman (R), gesturing during one of the visits

During the visit, he was greeted by a delegation led by Hj Zaini bin Bakar, Vice-President of NDP Temburong District.

Among those present were Hj Juned bin Hj Ramli, Deputy President of NDP Temburong District; Haji Mohidin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Othman, Vice-President of NDP Brunei-Muara District; Haji Mahdi bin Haji Muhd Suhaili, Deputy Chairman of NDP Temburong District; Haji Jefry bin Daud, Secretary-General of the National Development Party; Hj Ismail bin Ibrahim, Adviser of the National Development Party; and several of council members.

The delegation then proceeded to Kampong Sumbiling Lama to survey the longhouses there which were gutted in a fire in July last year.

Ambon Anak Tarang, who represented the victims of the blaze, expressed hope for the authorities to help rebuild their razed homes as soon as possible.

The delegation also stopped by the paddy fields in Pedayan and Kampong Negalang Unat, where farmers expressed their gratitude to the Government of His Majesty for providing rice subsidies.

Dipetik dari - Borneo Bulletin Online

Bantah TPPA dakwa MITI berkompromi

NORSHAHZURA MAT ZUKI

PERTUBUHAN bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang dikenali sebagai Bantah TPPA mendakwa Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (Miti) berkompromi terhadap beberapa perkara yang dibincangkan dalam mesyuarat perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik (TPP) di Salt Lake City, Amerika Syarikat dan Singapura, baru- baru ini.

Pengerusi Bantah TPPA, Mohd Nizam Mahshar berkata, maklumat itu diperoleh dari dokumen bocor yang menunjukkan bahawa kumpulan perunding membawa topik dalam perbincangan dan menyatakan beberapa perkara dikompromi.

Menurutnya, perkembangan mesyuarat di Salt Lake City, Amerika Syarikat dan Singapura menunjukkan kepentingan negara diperdagangkan.

“Antaranya ialah isu tembakau dikompromikan padahal sebelum ini Malaysia berpendirian tembakau dikeluarkan daripada perjanjian TPP. Kami mendesak Miti mendedahkan pendirian mengenai 75 isu tidak boleh dikompromi yang diketengahkan sebelum ini,” katanya pada sidang media, semalam.

Mohd Nizam berkata, ketua perunding yang mewakili Malaysia gagal mempertahankan kepentingan negara seperti mana yang dijanjikan sebelum ini.

“Perundingan menteri-menteri di Singapura, melalui satu maklumat kita terima dan laporan media antarabangsa menyatakan bukan sahaja ada kompromi beberapa isu diperbincangkan dan dipersetujui tetapi Amerika Syarikat telah mengetengahkan cadangan yang lebih membahayakan negara.

“Kita minta kerajaan beri jawapan yang jelas kepada isu ini dan tindakan sewajarnya harus dilaksanakan,” katanya.

Mohd Nizam berkata, Bantah TPPA kecewa terhadap Miti kerana (tindakan) berbeza daripada janji- janji mereka sebelum ini untuk menjaga kepentingan nasional.

“Kerajaan perlu menjelaskan mengenai perkara tersebut,” katanya.


Dipetik dari - Sinar Harian


Has MITI gone ‘soft’ on TPPA?

Alyaa Azhar

Bantah TPPA questions the International Trade and Industry Ministry for 'reneging' on its promise to safeguard the country's interests.

PETALING JAYA: Coalition against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), Bantah TPPA, today expressed its disappointment with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) on its softened position over several crucial matters in the agreement.

Bantah TPPA chairman Mohd Nizam Mahshar in a press conference today said Miti has allowed the nation’s interests and sovereignty to be compromised following the latest TPPA negotiations, which is contrary to its previous promises to safeguard the nation’s interests.

For one, Malaysia has agreed to negotiate on the matter of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), better known as government-linked companies (GLCs).

Malaysian chief negotiator J Jayasiri was recently quoted to have said that the country has started its engagement on the SOE negotiations.

Nizam, however, stressed that rules contained in the TPPA will curb Malaysia’s SOE activities which will cripple the country’s economy and social development.

Disciplines likely to be contained in the agreement would mean that the government cannot support its SOEs and as a result, many SOEs will face difficulties to remain economically viable.

Present SOEs in Malaysia include Petronas, Sime Darby, Tenaga Nasional, Telekom and Malaysia Airlines (MAS).

Nizam also questioned Miti’s weakened stand on the proposed complete tobacco carveout.

In the ministerial round in Singapore, Malaysia had tabled a revised proposal on the issue that takes out tariff from the complete carveout being demanded.

This is in contrary to the Health Ministry’s position that the carveout should be complete and total.

“What are the reasons for this sudden change to the carveout proposal? Has the Health Ministry given its consent to such a revision?

“Or has Miti taken over the role of the Health Ministry as the lead agency for health and tobacco?” asked Nizam.

He also noted how Malaysia has agreed to the investor state dispute settlement (ISDS), despite its earlier stand that the government is seeking alternatives to the ISDS.

According to recent reports, Malaysia is now only asking for minor safeguard in ISDS, proposing to reserve the right to screen future investments.

“What happened to the government’s assurances that recognised the dangers of ISDS and was seeking alternatives to the system?” queried Nizam.

He also expressed disappointment, saying the engagement process with Miti thus far has been nothing but a facade.

“We urge Miti to make public the positions it has assumed on key issues after the recent negotiations in Salt Lake City and the ministerial round in Singapore.

“If the answers are not forthcoming or unsatisfactory, we maintain our position that Malaysia should walk away from the TPPA negotiations,” he said.


Dipetik dari - Free Malaysia Today

Brunei new entry point to Malaysia

TRANSIT: Kuala Belait, Kuala Lurah, Labu and Ujung Jalan checkpoints vulnerable

By SIM BAK HENG

JOHOR BARU: AFTER Thailand and Singapore, human trafficking syndicates are now using the least expected country in the region as a backdoor  into Malaysia -- Brunei.

Intelligence-sharing reports between the two neighbouring countries have revealed that transnational crime syndicates are using the oil-rich sultanate as a springboard to enter Malaysia via Sarawak.

Reports also revealed that human traffickers, upon arrival in Brunei by air, were capitalising on all four land checkpoints to enter Sarawak before going to other parts of the country. The checkpoints are Kuala Belait, Kuala Lurah, Labu and Ujung Jalan.

Immigration Department director-general Datuk Alias Ahmad said it was crucial for Malaysia and Brunei to step up cooperation to serve as a check against transnational crime syndicates, which keep changing its transit points to avoid detection.

"We have detected the intention of human traffickers in using Brunei as a transit point to gain entry into our country. Our counterparts in Brunei have also revealed to us that an internationally-wanted human trafficker from Iran was detected and later arrested in Brunei recently.

"Human traffickers are always looking for loopholes in every country to facilitate their job. Both countries have vowed to step up bilateral cooperation to weed out transnational criminal activities," he said in an exclusive with the New Straits Times here.

There are about 1.5 million visitors from Malaysia to Brunei and 780,000 from Brunei to Malaysia last year through the four checkpoints.

The New Straits Times, in an exclusive report last month, revealed that foreigners were offered a "package", for as low as RM2,500, by human-trafficking syndicates, which included not only smuggling the individual into the country but also provided an altered MyKad.

Once in the country, the foreigner would assume the identity of the original MyKad owner, complete with the owner's identification number, name and address, but with a different photograph.

Details of the package came to light following a raid on illegal foreign workers in Kelana Jaya, Selangor, last month.

It also came in the wake of under-the-counter dealings implicating Immigration personnel for allowing entry of illegals at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Low Cost Carrier Terminal, which was exposed by Berita Harian.

These cases came under close scrutiny after the country was rocked by the brutal robbery-cum-murder of Subang Jaya AmBank officer Norazita Abu Talib, 37, who was shot by an Indonesian security guard using a fake Malaysian identification card.

This was followed by the arrest of a National Registration Department officer and three Filipino women, who were among 23 people detained in Miri, Sarawak, for their involvement in a human trafficking syndicate and falsification of identity cards.

Authorities had launched Op ID, leading to the arrest of 20 illegals working as security guards who were using fake or stolen MyKad.

It has also formed a "flying squad", comprising officers from the Immigration Department, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and police, to weed out any corrupt practice at the country's checkpoints.

Dipetik dari - New Straits Times

ASEAN nations top in ‘dirty money’ export

by Arno Maierbrugger

Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei are among the top 25 "dirty money" exporters out of 150 developing countries from 2002 to 2011, according to a recent report of the Global Financial Integrity (GFI).

"Dirty money" means financial outflows from illicit businesses, tax evasion, crime and corruption,

According to GFI, the developing world lost a total of $5.9 trillion in illegal capital outflows over the decade spanning from 2002 to 2011. In 2011 alone, illicit outflows totaled to $946.7 billion, which saw a 13.7 per cent increase from 2010 with $832.4 billion, and a dramatic surge from 2002 with $270.3 billion.

Top contributor within ASEAN is Malaysia with $370.38 billion over the past decade or $37.04 billion annually in average. Malaysia is followed by Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei. See the full list below:

25 biggest exporters of illegal money over the decade:

1. China – $1.08 trillion ($107.56 billion average)
2. Russia – $880.96 billion ($88.10 billion average)
3. Mexico – $461.86 billion ($46.19 billion average)
4. Malaysia – $370.38 billion ($37.04 billion average)
5. India – $343.93 billion ($34.39 billion average)
6. Saudi Arabia – $266.43 billion ($26.64 billion average)
7. Brazil – $192.69 billion ($19.27 billion average)
8. Indonesia – $181.83 billion ($18.18 billion average)
9. Iraq – $78.79 billion ($15.76 billion average)
10. Nigeria – $142.27 billion ($14.23 billion average)

11. Thailand – $140.88 billion ($14.09 billion average)
12. United Arab Emirates – $114.64 billion ($11.46 billion average)
13. South Africa – $100.73 billion ($10.07 billion average)
14. Philippines – $88.87 billion ($8.89 billion average)
15. Costa Rica – $80.65 billion ($8.06 billion average)
16. Belarus – $75.09 billion ($7.51 billion average)
17. Qatar – $62.82 billion ($6.28 billion average)
18. Poland – $49.39 billion ($4.94 billion average)
19. Serbia – $49.37 billion ($4.94 billion average)
20. Chile – $45.20 billion ($4.52 billion average)

21. Paraguay – $40.12 billion ($4.01 billion average)
22. Venezuela – $38.97 billion ($3.90 billion average)
23. Brunei – $38.37 billion ($3.84 billion average)
24. Panama – $38.09 billion ($3.81 billion average)
25. Turkey – $37.28 billion ($3.73 billion average)

Dipetik dari - Investvine

Pautan berkaitan,

Full report - Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2002-2011

PERBINCANGAN FOKUS GROUP BERSAMA TEMAN-TEMAN FB NDP HQ BRUNEI MENGENAI ISU PENGGANGURAN

ANJUNG SYURA LIMBARUH HUJAU, 2 Disember 2013: Seramai 20 orang     teman-teman FB NDP HQ Brunei termasuk beberapa orang  ahli NDP  telah menghabiskan masa lebih dua jam bagi membincangkan isu 18,000 belia yang menganggur, yang menjadi kebimbangan Kebawah DYMM seperti Titah Baginda sempena Sambutan Hari Belia Ke-8 Tahun 2013 pada 20 November 2013 yang lalu.

Turut Hadir  ialah Presiden NDP Saudara Mahmud Morshidi Othman dan Timbalan Presiden Sdra. Hj. Juned bin Hj. Ramli. Moderator Sembangsaran Kumpulan Fokus Siri Kedua tersebut ialah Sdra Malai Hassan Othman Mantan Pemangku Presiden NDP .

Sesi Pertama Kumpulan Fokus yang membincangkan Isu sama ialah pada 29 September 2013 yang lalu.

Perbincangan kali ini tertumpu kepada Isu 18,000 belia menganggur dan cara mana untuk menanganinya. Isu yang menyentuh kebimbangan Kebawah DYMM ini turut dikongsikan oleh NDP justeru, akan diadakan lagi sembangsaran kumpulan fokus pusingan ketiga dalam masa terdekat.

Inn Syaa Allah, dapatan-dapatan pandangan itu nanti akan di persembahkan Kehadapan Majlis Kebawah DYMM untuk dikongsikan dengan Baginda.

Pada Sambutan Hari Belia ke-8 Kebawah DYMM telah bertitah “Isu Pengangguran jika tidak ditangani secara bersepadu akan mungkin sahaja menyebabkan kestabilan sesebuah Negara turut tergugat….”

“Negara kita tidaklah terkecuali dari mengalami perkara yang sama, dimana seramai lebih kurang 18 ribu belia adalah dalam kategori mencari pekerjaan…..” demikian Titah Baginda.

Pada sesi sembangsaran tersebut perbincangan dibahagikan kepada 3 aspek iaitu Cabaran-Cabaran yang dihadapi oleh pasaran tenaga kerja (employment market), availability peluang pekerjaan dan langkah-langkah kehadapan.

Yang membimbangkan ialah perkembangan ekonomi yang tidak memberangsangkan sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini. Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) tidak banyak perubahan iaitu sekitar 20 – 21 billion sedangkan perbelanjaan Negara semakin meningkat.

Walaupun bagi sesetengah kalangan bertanggapan kadar pengangguran masih dilihat rendah namun jumlah 18,000 belia yang menganggur dan mungkin beberapa ribu lagi diluar kategori belia yang menganggur sudah cukup untuk meletakkan asas kebimbangan Kebawah Duli tersebut.

Jumlah 18,000 penganggur dari kalangan belia seperti yang disebutkan adalah bersamaan 9% pengangguran , nisbah diantara yang tertinggi di rantau ini.

Dapatan kajian SPS (Think Tank Negara) 2012 pengangguran di kalangan keluarga berpendapatan rendah adalah 80% .

Bertitik tolak daripada ini, Majlis Sembangsaran mengenal pasti beberapa perkara yang boleh dipertimbangkan oleh pihak berkenaan, antara lain meletakkan hala tuju atau direction pembangunan ekonomi selain minyak dan gas seperti kearah Negara Pertanian, Negara Industri Asas Tani, Negara Pembuatan , Negara Berteknologi Tinggi dan seumpamanya. Jesteru, orentasi dan hala tuju pendidikan dan latihan , dasar pembangunan dan dasar perdagangan dalam negeri dan luar negeri hendaklah disejajarkan dengan hala tuju tadi.

Kedua kita menyedari bahawa tidak ada kerajaan yang boleh menampung seluruh tenaga kerja untuk diserapkan ke dalam sektor awam. Oleh yang demikian pihak berkenaan hendaklah menyediakan prasarana yang mantap untuk menarik pelabur-pelabur asing (FDI) untuk melabur ke Negara kita.

Melalui usaha berkenaan dengan sendirinya Negara akan melahirkan masyarakat usahawan tempatan  dari kalangan usahawan SMI/SME yang akan menjadi syarikat- syarikat sokongan  kepada syarikat-syarikat besar yang melabur di Negara ini.

Antara lain perkataan Kemasukan Pelabur Asing dengan sendirinya akan mewujudkan pekerjaan disamping melahirkan ramai usahawan-usahawan SMI/SME.

Ketiga, belia-belia yang berminat untuk membuka perusahaan atau perniagaan sendiri perlulah dibantu dengan menyediakan khidmat mentorship, selain itu pihak berkenaan juga disaran agar menyediakan kemudahan bengkel operasi , peralatan dan modal pusingan secukupnya secara percuma untuk satu tempoh yang munasabah.

Keempat, Majlis Sembangsaran sependapat tanggungjawab kerajaan ialah untuk mensejahterakan kehidupan rakyat. Kearah itu menyediakan pekerjaan bukanlah satu jawapan mutlak. Kerajaan masih berupaya untuk membukakan peluang pelaburan kepada seluruh rakyat untuk melabur di dalam perusahaan-perusahaan besar Negara seperti disektor minyak dan gas, Agensi Pelaburan Brunei dan lain-lain syarikat-syarikat kerajaan (GLC). Melalui partisipasi pelaburan rakyat seperti yang dimaksudkan dengan sendirinya akan meningkatkan pendapatan mereka melalui agihan keuntungan atau dividen.

Kelima, Peserta-peserta kumpulan focus bersependapat sesuai dengan tanggungjawab kerajaan untuk mensejahterakan rakyatnya, penganggur-penganggur yang dikenal pasti hendaklah diberikan elaun sementara sehingga mereka memperolehi pekerjaan sekurang-kurangnya pada kadar BND300 sebulan bagi mengurangkan tekanan kehidupan ibu bapa yang menanggung mereka dan bagi menampung keperluan mereka yang menganggur tadi.

Pemberian elaun sara hidup bagi yang menganggur dan yang sedang mencari pekerjaan bukanlah satu amalan yang asing bagi Negara-negara maju seperti Australia, Kanada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand dan Arab Saudi.

Majlis Sembangsaran Kumpulan Fokus bermula pada kira-kira  jam 2 petang dan berakhir jam 6 petang. (PeNA)

Brunei di mata Dunia

⇨ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012

Brunei Darussalam has been ruled by the same family for more than 600 years. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah governed under longstanding emergency powers that placed few limits on his authority. The Legislative Council (LegCo), made up of appointed, indirectly elected, and ex officio members, met during the year and exercised a limited role in recommending and approving legislation. Security forces reported to Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

Restrictions on religious freedom; exploitation of foreign workers; and limitations on freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association were the most prevalent human rights problems.

The following human rights problems were also reported: inability of citizens to change their government, trafficking in persons, and discrimination against women.

There were no known reports of human rights abuses by government officials during the year and impunity was not a problem.

... Under the emergency powers, the government significantly restricted the right to assemble. According to the Societies Order, public gatherings of 10 or more persons require a government permit, and police have the authority to stop an unofficial assembly of five or more persons deemed likely to cause a disturbance of the peace. Government permits require the approval of a minister, but the government routinely issued permits for annual events.

... The law does not provide for freedom of association. It requires formal groups, including religious, social and cultural organizations, to register with the Registrar of Societies and provide regular reports on membership and finances.

... The National Development Party maintained that government restrictions limited the party’s growth.

... Citizens do not have the right to change their government peacefully. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah rules through hereditary birthright. While the country is a constitutional sultanate, in 1962 the former ruler invoked an article of the constitution that allowed him to assume emergency powers. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah continued the practice, which places few limits on his power.

... Political authority and control rested entirely with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah . A LegCo of primarily appointed members and little independent power provides a forum for public discussion of proposed government programs, as well as administrative deficiencies. It convenes once a year for approximately two weeks, after which it is dissolved.

... The Brunei National Development Party is the country’s only registered political party. The party pledged to support Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and the government. The party criticized administrative deficiencies, its few activities received limited publicity, and restrictions hindered its membership.


⇨ Freedom in the World 2013

Brunei, which has been ruled continuously by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah since 1967, experienced little political change in 2012.

... In 2004, Hassanal reconvened the Legislative Council, which had been suspended since 1984. The Council passed a constitutional amendment to expand its size to 45 seats, 15 of which would be elected. However, in 2005 Hassanal appointed a new, 29-member Legislative Council, including five indirectly elected members representing village councils; most of the members of this body were either relatives or loyalists.

... Brunei is not an electoral democracy. The sultan continues to wield broad powers under a long-standing state of emergency, and no direct legislative elections have been held since 1962.

... Genuine political activity remains extremely limited. In 2007, the Registrar of Societies disbanded the People’s Awareness Party and forced the president of the Brunei National Solidarity Party (PPKB) to resign. The PPKB was then deregistered without explanation in 2008, leaving the National Development Party as Brunei’s sole remaining political party.

... The constitution does not provide for an independent judiciary. Although the courts generally appear to act independently, they have yet to be tested in political cases. Final recourse for civil cases is managed by the Privy Council in the United Kingdom.

... Brunei’s many “stateless” people, mostly longtime ethnic Chinese residents, are denied the full rights and benefits of citizens, while migrant workers, who comprise approximately one quarter of the workforce, are largely unprotected by labor laws and vulnerable to exploitation.


⇨ Freedom of the Press 2013

The absolute monarchy of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, as well as emergency laws that have been in place for nearly half a century, continue to restrict journalists and limit the diversity of media content in Brunei. Journalists face up to three years of imprisonment if found guilty of reporting “false and malicious” news. Passage of the 2005 Sedition Act worsened the state of press freedom in Brunei by expanding the list of punishable offenses to include criticism of the sultan, the royal family, and the national Malay Islamic Monarchy ideology, which promotes Islam as the state religion and the idea that monarchical rule is the only acceptable form of governance.

... The government retains the authority to arbitrarily shut down any media outlet and bar distribution of foreign publications, with no possibility of appeal by the affected outlet. An Internet Code of Practice, included in a 2001 press law, makes individuals as well as content and service providers liable for publishing anything that is “against the public interest or national harmony or which offends against good taste or decency.” It also requires all sites that carry content or discuss issues of a religious or political nature to register with the Broadcasting Authority.

... The private press, including the country’s main English-language daily, the Borneo Bulletin, is mostly owned or controlled by the sultan’s family and practices self-censorship on political and religious issues to avoid confrontation with the government.

... In 2006, the government called on internet cafés to install firewalls to prevent users from viewing immoral content. According to the U.S. State Department, the government continues to monitor the private e-mail and internet chat-room exchanges of citizens who are suspected of subversive behavior. It is believed that fear of government retribution has reduced the number of chat-room visitors.


Posting lama yang berkaitan,

1. Brunei improves on press freedom?
2. Brunei di mata Dunia (2011)

Singapore Riot Signals Foreign-Labor Strains

A crowd of about 400 foreign workers, angered by a fatal road accident, set fire to vehicles and
attacked police and emergency services workers late Sunday in Singapore's ethnic Indian district,
injuring at least 18 people in a rare riot in the city-state.

Hundreds of Workers From South Asia Protest Killing of Indian Man

By Chun Han Wong

SINGAPORE—A rare riot here, staged by hundreds of workers from South Asia, is reviving public concern about the socioeconomic impact and sustainability of Singapore's heavy reliance on overseas labor.

Sunday's incident in Singapore's Little India district—a popular weekend hangout for South Asian expatriates and migrant workers—ended a riot-free period extending more than four decades and has blotted the city-state's image as one of Asia's safest countries. Analysts and labor activists say the unrest points to a growing challenge for policy makers trying to maintain social cohesion and curb antiforeigner sentiment amid festering tensions among its large migrant workforce.

Police and eyewitnesses say the riot started at about 9:30 p.m. after a bus hit and killed a 33-year-old Indian man. South Asian workers at the scene reacted by attacking the bus with sticks, stones and garbage bins, and later assaulted arriving police officers and paramedics, TV footage showed.

The violence was quelled by 11 p.m. by about 300 police officers—but not before injuries were inflicted on at least 39 law-enforcement and emergency-services personnel, as well as the driver and conductor aboard the bus in the accident. Dozens of police, emergency-services and privately owned vehicles were damaged, including five vehicles that were burned.

Public violence is virtually unheard of in Singapore, where public assembly is strictly regulated. But "incidents like this were, in a sense, waiting to happen," especially given the dense weekend crowds in Little India numbering in the thousands, said Hui Weng Tat, an economic professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Some migrants' resentment against perceived discrimination and poor working conditions could have contributed to the outburst, Mr. Hui said, adding that policy makers may need to consider improving migrant pay and treatment.

"The workers who have been arrested in connection with the rioting incident are employed by different employers and housed in different locations. There is no basis to link their unlawful behavior to workplace issues," Singapore's Manpower Ministry said in response to queries. "In any case, whatever the cause, no one is above the law."

Police said they arrested 27 people—24 Indian nationals, two Bangladeshis and one Singapore permanent resident, ages 23 to 45—who haven't been named. It wasn't clear if and when the 27 may be charged, or whether they had received legal counsel. Authorities classified the violence as "rioting with dangerous weapons," an offense that carries penalties including up to 10 years' jail, as well as caning. More arrests could follow, police said.

Police arrested the bus driver in the accident—an unnamed 55-year-old Singaporean—and plan to charge the person with causing "death by a negligent act," an offense punishable by up to two years' jail and fines. The driver couldn't be reached for comment.

In a statement Monday, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he ordered an inquiry into "an isolated incident caused by an unruly mob." The probe will review factors behind the riot, including management of the incident by officials and how authorities oversee areas where foreign workers congregate, he said.

The riot has sparked concerns of further unrest amid the large foreign workforce, numbering about 1.3 million as of June, in this island state of 5.4 million people. Researchers say South Indians number in the hundreds of thousands here.

Singapore has used liberal immigration policies in the past decade to fuel economic growth, boosting its population by 27% in the past decade. Amid concern that such a growth model wasn't sustainable, the government has curbed inflows of foreigners over the past three to four years, hoping to assuage voters disgruntled by stagnant low-end wages, rising living costs and infrastructural strains, which many citizens blamed on high immigration.

Foreign workers have also increasingly bristled under the system. Some—particularly low-wage laborers in construction—have in recent years resorted to protests against alleged exploitation by employers, including an illegal strike last year by about 170 public-bus drivers hired from China, which ended a 26-year strike-free record for Singapore.

Prime Minister Lee sought to allay worries about the unrest. "The vast majority of foreign workers here obey our laws," he said in his statement. "We must not let this bad incident tarnish our views of foreigner workers here."

Police have avoided drawing conclusions on the cause of the riot. Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew suggested that alcohol might have been a factor, but labor activists countered that most low-wage foreigners can't afford much alcohol.

Police officials said they would "pay extra attention" to Little India, foreign-worker dormitories and other places of congregation.

Singapore last experienced a major riot in 1969, when racially charged violence broke out between the city-state's majority ethnic Chinese and minority Malay residents, leaving at least four dead and 80 injured.

Dipetik dari - WSJ.com