‘Kg Panchor’s rows of vacant units worrisome’

Darren Chin
BRUNEI-MUARA

RESIDENTS of the Kg Panchor National Housing Scheme have voiced concerns that the number of yet unoccupied houses will only give rise to social ills if they continue to be left vacant.

When visited by The Brunei Times yesterday, rows of terraced and semi-detached houses were still vacant two years after being completed in March 2014.

Some houses were missing windows and concrete drain covers and a few of the front doors were either unlocked or left slightly open.

A resident of the housing scheme, Mohammad Hj Tahir, said he believes the vacant houses are easy targets for thieves.

“When I moved in about half a year ago, I already heard complaints from neighbours that their houses had been missing windows or even ceiling fans when they wanted to move in initially, so they had to request for replacements which cost the government money unnecessarily,” said the 56-year-old.

“Also, the vacant houses which have been left unlocked for some reason are making it easy and inviting perhaps to some people who might be looking for a place to commit social ills such as drug-taking or fornication - not that I’m saying that these things happen regularly,” he said.

Mohammad, who is a veteran of the Fire and Rescue Department, said the unkempt state of the exterior of the vacant houses could also attract unwanted pests such as snakes which could endanger local residents.

“Based on my many years of experience on the job catching all sorts of animals, the tall lalang grass like that growing around the vacant houses is usually where snakes could be hiding,” he said.

“Most of the time, it’s usually a harmless python. But there’s always a possibility of someone dying from a poisonous snake bite like in Malaysia,” he said, referring to a 7-year-old girl who recently died after she was bitten by a snake in the state of Kelantan.

Another resident, who wished only to be identified as Alif, said security measures have been relaxed over the last few months and that crime could be deterred in the area if the houses are all filled.

“Currently there are police patrols in the area, which I’m grateful for. But I remember security was more strict when I first moved in a year ago as construction workers would set up barricades and patrol the area themselves. But that’s no longer being done,” he said.

“I’m unsure why many units have been vacant for this long, but I trust that the housing authorities will approve the applications and draw lots (to determine the applicants who get the houses) soon so that they will be filled as the vacant houses could encourage thieves to take advantage of the situation while security is relatively lax,” he said.

Diana Asai, who moved into her terraced unit in the housing scheme in October last year, said that having a village head specifically for the residents of the 4,000 houses in the Kg Panchor National Housing Scheme would be helpful.

“Currently, there is no village head for this national housing scheme. But if there was one like in other older national housing schemes in the country, it would be helpful as he could organise neighbourhood watch patrols, especially around the rows of vacant houses,” she said.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Kecewa permohonan ditolak

Oleh Hajah Saemah Kepli

KUALA BELAIT, 8 April – Seorang ayah melahirkan rasa kekecewaannya terhadap keputusan penilaian pihak berkuasa tertentu ke atas permohonan anak perempuannya yang tidak layak menerima bantuan Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) selepas disahkan mengalami lumpuh kekal pada bahagian tangannya oleh pihak hospital.

Bapa perempuan itu, Pengiran Ismail bin Pengiran Haji Ali, 63, semasa memberitahu Media Permata, hari ini, mendakwa kecacatan yang dialami oleh anaknya, Pengiran Siti Nur Khatizzah, 29, adalah akibat kecuaian seorang doktor semasa mengendalikan kelahiran anaknya itu pada tahun 1987.

Menurutnya harapan anaknya untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan turut terjejas akibat keadaan itu dan melihat masa depan anaknya agak samar apa tah lagi tidak mempunyai caruman Tabung Amanah Pekerja (TAP).

Beliau juga menyatakan anaknya sering diberhentikan kerja akibat kecacatan itu kerana tugas yang diberi tidak dapat dilaksanakan dengan baiknya kerana hanya menggunakan sebelah tangan sahaja.

Atas dasar tersebut dan rasa tanggungjawab sebagai seorang ayah, beliau telah menghadapkan permohonan untuk mendapatkan bantuan Tidak Berdaya Anggota melalui pihak JAPEM untuk kali pertamanya dalam tahun 2013, kemudian menghadapkan lagi permohonan kali kedua pada tahun 2015 bagi mendapatkan bantuan Orang Kurang Upaya. Bagaimanapun jawapan bagi kedua-dua permohonan tersebut sangat mendukacitakan apabila permohonan tersebut ditolak atas alasan kecatatan anaknya tidak termasuk dalam akta persyaratan menerima bantuan berkenaan.

Pengiran Siti Nur Khatizzah, menunjukkan bagaimana dia melakukan
kerja memotong sayur dengan hanya menggunakan tangan kirinya.

Sementara itu, dalam permohonan untuk mendapat bantuan kebajikan yang dikemukakan pada awal tahun ini, ianya juga ditolak dengan alasan bahawa anaknya itu masih muda dan tidak mempunyai tanggungan.

“Memang anak saya dilihat masih muda pada masa ini, tetapi saya memikirkan masa depannya, dalam usianya dari setahun ke setahun, lebih-lebih lagi jika sudah tiba waktunya saya meninggalkan dunia ini, di manakah tempat dia mengadu, sedangkan pada masa ini pun, kekurangan upayanya dipandang ringan oleh pihak-pihak tertentu, jauh sekali ada sokongan untuk menyediakan prasarana pekerjaan yang sesuai dengan keadaannya, atau sokongan-sokongan lain bagi memastikan OKU seperti anak saya ini merasa terjamin, dan dia bukanlah jenis pemohon yang hanya duduk berpeluk tubuh, malahan merupakan seorang yang kuat berdikari, walaupun kemampuannya terbatas, kerana kadang-kadang sering mengalami kesakitan di bahagian tangannya yang lumpuh, akibat kerosakkan dalaman badannya termasuk bahagian urat saraf,” kata Pengiran Ismail lagi.

Menceritakan sejarah punca kecacatan anaknya itu, Pengiran Ismail yang merupakan seorang pesara Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) berkata, semasa isterinya hendak melahirkan, beliau meminta supaya dilakukan pembedahan kerana menurut doktor anak kandungannya ketika itu besar dan beratnya 10lb, namun cadangan tersebut ditolak oleh doktor yang mengesahkan isterinya boleh melahirkan secara normal.

Bagaimanapun semasa isterinya melahirkan, beliau telah mengalami kesukaran apabila sebelah daripada bahu anaknya itu tersekat dan doktor yang bertugas pada masa itu menarik tangan kanan anak damitnya itu bagi membantu mengeluarkan sebahagian lagi badannya.

“Setelah dua hingga tiga minggu selepas kelahiran, kami suami isteri menyedari lengan anaknya sebelah kanan tidak bergerak lalu membawa untuk pemeriksaan doktor pakar, dan doktor pada masa itu memberitahu kepada mereka suami isteri bahawa anak kami itu dalam keadaan normal. Namun pada usia enam bulan, tangannya masih tidak bergerak dan doktor masih mengatakan ia normal sehinggalah dia berusia empat tahun, barulah doktor mengesahkan anak saya lumpuh,” katanya.

Mereka kemudiannya mengambil keputusan untuk mendakwa pihak berkenaan namun dinasihatkan untuk melupakan hajat itu dan dijanjikan untuk memberikan rawatan rapi ke atas anak mereka.

Menurut Pengiran Ismail lagi, ekoran itu, pihak kerajaan telah menghantar anaknya ketika berusia empat tahun untuk menerima rawatan di Hospital Nasional Universiti Singapura dan menerima rawatan sebanyak 13 kali di Singapura dalam masa dua tahun, selain menjalani pembedahan sebanyak empat kali semasa berusia empat hingga enam tahun.

Pengiran Siti Nur Khatizzah, biarpun dalam keadaan kurang upaya, beliau tetap menguatkan semangat untuk terus berjuang dalam kehidupannya. Beliau mula bekerja secara sambilan di sebuah kedai farmasi semasa masih bersekolah menengah pada sebelah malam, kemudian terus bekerja di sana setelah menamatkan pembelajarannya sehingga Tingkatan Lima Peringkat ‘O’ di Anthony Abell College, Seria.

Di samping itu, beliau juga tidak mahu ketinggalan untuk merebut peluang meningkatkan kemahirannya dengan menyertai beberapa latihan kemahiran yang dikendalikan oleh Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, seperti Kursus Solekan dan Dandan Rambut di Pusat Pembangunan Belia bagi sesi 2012-2013.

Tanpa rasa putus asa, Pengiran Siti Nur Khatizzah yang juga merupakan seorang ibu kepada anak lelakinya yang berusia lapan tahun, terus berusaha mendapatkan pekerjaan, dan pada masa ini bekerja sebagai pembantu di salah sebuah hotel di sini.

Bagaimanapun baru-baru ini, menurutnya beliau telah diberikan surat peringatan daripada majikannya untuk memperbaiki prestasi perkhidmatannya yang dilihat kurang memuaskan.

Beliau telah ditinggalkan suaminya sejak kira-kira hampir enam tahun tanpa diberikan sebarang nafkah dan anaknya kini di bawah jagaan suaminya itu. Kini Pengiran Siti Nur Khatizzah bergantung hidup di bawah tanggungan ayahnya.

“Biarpun semasa temuduga saya dijanjikan untuk hanya membuat kerja yang ringan sesuai kemampuan dari segi keupayaan, tetapi setelah bekerja, pihak majikan memberikan tugas yang sama seperti yang dilakukan oleh rakan sekerja yang keupayaan fizikal yang normal, dan semasa jangka masa percubaan, ada juga majikan yang memberikan surat peringatan menyatakan kerja saya kurang memuaskan,” kata Pengiran Siti Nur Khatizzah.

Beliau juga mendakwa, biarpun dalam keadaan kurang kemampuan dari segi fizikal, tetapi beliau juga menanamkan minat untuk menyertai program-program belia seperti bazar dan sebagainya, tetapi menurutnya beliau kurang mampu untuk membayar sewa.

“Saya kadang-kadang turut terkilan, kenapakah OKU seperti saya tidak diberikan kelonggaran seperti dikurangkan harga sewa petak, atau diberikan bentuk sokongan lain yang berpatutan.”

Sementara itu, semasa ditemui Media Permata, Ketua cawangan JAPEM, Daerah Belait, Dayang Noridah binti Haji Ishak, mengesahkan jabatan mereka telah menerima surat permohonan daripada Pengiran Siti Nur Khatizzah, sebanyak tiga kali dan setelah penyelidikan dilakukan, termasuk menilai daripada laporan yang diberikan oleh pihak perubatan, jabatan mereka telah memberikan sokongan untuk permohonan tersebut dibawa ke pihak atasan.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, pihak Unit Jawatankuasa Menilai Permohonan Bantuan, yang melibatkan sebanyak enam buah kementerian yang berbeza, telah membuat keputusan bahawa pemohon berkenaan adalah tidak layak bagi persyaratan akta Orang Kurang Upaya bagi menerima bantuan pencen tidak berdaya anggota, begitu juga ke atas permohonan bantuan kebajikan bulanan yang dihadapkan pada tahun lepas, berdasarkan pemohon berkenaan masih muda dan tiada mempunyai tanggungan.


Sumber - Media Permata

Selayun vendors concerned at number of foreign sellers

Vendors at Pasar Tani Selayun, popularly known by locals as Pasar Borong Selayun, have expressed
their dissatisfaction at the number of non-locals who are illegally operating stalls at the market.

Wail Wardi Wasil
BRUNEI-MUARA

LOCAL vendors at the Pasar Tani Selayun have expressed grievances over the rising number of foreigners working as illegal vendors at the marketplace.

Siti Aida Abdullah, a local vegetable vendor, told The Brunei Times that the majority of vendors operating in the market are non-locals.

“Just by observation, (I estimate that) 70 per cent of stall operators in the market are non-locals and that means that only the remaining 30 per cent are locals,” she said.

The 56-year-old added: “These non-locals are not disruptive individuals (but) I feel that they are taking business opportunities away from locals.”

Nur Ni’mah Qistina Abdullah Saban who has been selling vegetables at the market for nine years said all of the non-local vendors are working under different employment passes as most of them are domestic workers and farm care-takers.

According to her, there have been numerous operations conducted by the Labour Department and the Immigration and National Registration Department (JIPK) on a monthly basis.

Under JIPK’s regulations, foreign workers are only allowed to do work that is according to what is written in their employment passes.

“For some reason, the non-local stall operators always seem to know when there will be an operation about to be conducted (so) they hide away during the operation and return once government officials have left the market,” said the 38-year-old.

She added that the non-local vendors tend to return to their stalls and resume their operations even when they have been detained during operations conducted by the government authorities.

Meanwhile another Pasar Tani Selayun vendor, Hilmi Salleh, noted  that foreign workers themselves should not take the overall blame.

She stressed that it is the employer’s responsibility to be well informed and to adhere to the labour laws that exist in the country.

She said that if the employers of the non-local vendors are unwilling to sell their produce at the market, then the least they could do is to hire locals to sell their produce for them, as to avoid breaking labour laws.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Residents concerned over deserted housing complex

Photos show the abandoned terrace houses and the yards which are covered with long grass and trees.

Khai Zem Mat Sani
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE delayed construction of the terrace units along STKRJ Kg Rimba’s Jalan 99 has sparked some concerns from the nearby residents over the area being used by irresponsible parties to conduct immoral activities.

The Brunei Times conducted an inspection around the area, and found there were no signs or barriers indicating that the areas are off-limits from the public.

The area also hosted around 10 building blocks, consisting of five housing units each.

According to the public tip-off, many believed that people use the vacant terrace houses and its area for immoral activities.

A resident, who lives nearby and only wished to be known as Mahmud, recalled a lot of stories about electrical cables and facilities being stolen and vandalised.

“And this is worrying as the area is located just about 10 metres away from my home,” he said, adding that fornication and drug abuse could be another activities done at the area.

He also shared his experience over seeing numerous cars entering the area at night, where they would park at an area, and soon after, their lights were turned off.

He also said that such occurrence seemed “creepy” and disturbing to him.

“Since it’s located in the vicinity of our area and the houses were emptied for a long time, it turns out to be a creepy and disturbing environment.”

An elderly citizen who lived near the area, Hj Matussin Hj Bakar, 80, also mentioned about environmental effects of the deserted houses.

“The area is home to so many people. Every time we go out from this area, we pass through the emptied houses, it becomes our daily view,” he said.

He said that people who visited the area often asked similar questions. “It becomes a topic of conversation either among the residents itself or people who visited their relatives here.”

Hj Matussin also said that there’s a need to put up proper signs and gates to avoid people from trespassing into the area.

“The terrace houses have been abandoned for around 10 years and it’s due to delay in the construction work,” said the Village Chief of Area 1, RPN Rimba Mukim Gadong A.

“The house is not yet completed and it was deserted for around 10 years. There are some part of the houses are almost done and some are just left without roofs,” said Hj Adanan @ Hj Mohamed Taha.

However, neighbourhood watch programme that was implemented in the village, he said, may help the village to increase its security and together in curbing any problem that may occur in the area.

According to an official from the Ministry of Development, the authority has been aware about the problems and will address the issue as soon as possible.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

KEMBARA MERDEKA NDP MENINJAU MASLAHAT PENGHUNI RUMAH PANJANG

LIMBARUH HIJAU, KHAMIS, 18 FEBRUARI 2016 – Bak kata pepatah, ‘rumah siap, pahat berbunyi'. Itulah yang terjadi ketika rombongan Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (NDP) yang diketuai oleh TYT Presiden NDP membuat kunjungan muhibbah ke Rumah Panjang Kampung Sumbiling Baru di Mukim Amo Temburong selasa lalu.

Penghuni Rumah Panjang Kampung Sumbiling Baru di Mukim Amo Temburong itu sepatutnya bergembira dan lebih selesa kerana sudah dapat memulakan kehidupan di rumah panjang yang baru siap dibina oleh pihak kerajaan dengan kerjasama beberapa penderma-penderma, persatuan dan badan-badan kebajikan bukan kerajaan di negara ini.

Sebaliknya rata-rata penghuni meluahkan rasa kurang selesa dengan reka bentuk rumah panjang yang baru siap dibina itu. Antara kekurangan yang ketara yang disuarakan oleh beberapa penghuni rumah panjang tersebut ialah reka bentuk yang lebih mirip barik panjang, ketiadaan serambi atau ruai disebelah hadapan rumah panjang yang baru itu dan ruang yang agak kecil untuk dijadikan ruang tamu, ruang makan dan dapor serta satu tandas yang juga digunakan untuk bilik mandi.

Sehubungan dengan itu Presiden NDP menyatakan rasa terkilan beliau dengan keadaan reka bentuk rumah panjang tersebut yang menurut beliau kurang memberikan perhatian kepada gaya hidup dan budaya masyarakat Iban.

“Tahniah kepada pihak-pihak berkenaan atas usaha melaksanakan tanggungjawab membantu dan menyediakan rumah panjang baru kepada penghuni-penghuni yang kehilangan tempat kediaman mereka . Dalam masa sama saya juga merasakan perlaksanaan tanggungjawab itu akan lebih cemerlang jika pihak-pihak berkenaan lebih peka akan gaya hidup dan budaya masyarakat Iban yang merupakan penghuni rumah panjang tersebut”.

“Saya juga berharap aduan penghuni ini tidak disalah taafsirkan sebagai sifat tidak ‘bersyukur' dan tidak berterima kasih. Mereka berhak meluahkan pandangan mereka dan kita wajar menghormatinya dan berlapang dada serta menlihatnya sebagai satu input yang positif kearah melaksanakan tugas dan tanggungjawab yang lebih efektif dan cemerlang demi kebaikan negara dan bangsa”.

“Saya melihat musibah kebakaran yang dialami oleh penghuni rumah panjang Kampung Sumbiling Baru itu merupakan satu peluang untuk pihak berkuasa memodenkan rumah panjang di Brunei dengan memberi nilai dan gaya baru kepada rumah panjang di negara ini tanpa mengorbankan ciri-ciri unik rumah panjang. Ia juga merupakan satu peluang mengembangmajukan sektor kerajinan tangan dan aktiviti ekonomi masyarakat puak Iban sebagai satu lagi usaha mengembangluaskan sektor pertanian dan pelancongan negara. Malangnya peluang tersebut terlepas begitu saja.”, ujar sdr Malai Hassan Othman, Presiden NDP.

“Kalau sahaja didapatkan pelbagai input daripada pemimpin masyarakat Iban perkara ini setentunya dapat dielakkan. Biasanya rumah panjang mempunyai 10 dan 20 bilik . Setiap rumah panjang mempunyai "ruai" iaitu ruang bilik bersama yang terletak di bahagian hadapan rumah itu di mana kebanyakkkan aktiviti diadakan di tempat itu”.

“Malangnya rumah panjang yang baru dibina tidak menyediakan kemudahan ini dan tidak hairanlah bak kata pepatah rumah siap, pahat berbunyi”, ujar sdr Malai Hassan Othman sambil menambah mungkin saja isu bajet yang menjadi penghalang kepada pihak berkenaan untuk membina rumah panjang yang lebih sesuai untuk penghuni-penghuni tersebut.

Katanya memang tidak dinafikan dari aspek fizikalnya rumah panjang yang baru itu lebih baik dari yang lama. Ia merupakan bangunan konkrit yang lebih utuh dan sempurna dari yang lama, tetapi dari aspek kebudayaan, kerohanian, memelihara keturunan dan kehormatan ketara banyak yang perlu ditambahbaik.

“Aspek-aspek ini sangat penting diberiakn perhatian sewajarnya selaras dengan tanggunjawab memeliahara negara sebagai sebuah negara yang selamat, aman, makmur dan sentiasa mendapaat perlindungan Allah serta tuntutan membina generasi berwawasan ke arah merealisasiakan Wawasan 2035 yang menjadi tema Hari Kebangsaan kita”, tegas beliau lagi.

Beliau berharap pihak-pihak berkenaan akan memberikan perhatian kepada perkara ini agar penghuni rumah panjang di Kampung Sumbiling Baru terutama anak-anak mereka akan dapat menjalani kehidupan yang lebih selesa, selamat dan sejahtera.

Lawatan romobongan NDP ke Rumah Panjang Kampung Sumbiling Baru itu merupakan salah satu program Tahunan Kembara Merdeka NDP sempena memperingati Hari Kebangsaan Negara kali ke-32 pada tahun ini.

Objektif program tersebut ialah untuk sama-sama berusaha menanamkan semangat dan kesedaran berbangsa dan bernegara dikalangan rakyat dan penduduk terutama sekali masyarakat pendalaman agar terus taat setia kepada raja, bangsa dan negara. Dalam masa sama ia juga merupakan satu pendekatan NDP untuk melaksanakan tanggungjawab politiknya sambil berdakwah mempastikan kezaliman tidak mendapat tempat di negara ini sebaliknya keadilan dan ihsan ‘tumpah' kepada rakyat dan penduduk negara ini seperti yang ditekankan oleh Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Turut serta dalam lawatan tersebut ialah sdra Pengiran Haji Zainal Pengiran Talib, TYT Timbalan Presiden NDP, sdra Haji Zaini bin Bakar, Naib Presiden NDP Temburong, sdra Haji Metali bin Haji Ibrahim, Naib Presiden NDP Belait, sdra Haji Ali Yusuf, Bendahari Agung NDP, sdri Hajjah Kertini, Ketua Hawa NDP, sdra Mohammad Abdullah Peter, Penolong Setiausaha Agung NDP serta ahli-ahli Badan Perhubungan NDP Temburong, Belait dan Brunei Muara.


Sumber - Laman Aspirasi

‘Tamu Kianggeh at its cleanest since HM surprise visit’

Wail Wardi Wasil
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

TAMU Kianggeh vendors said the open-air market is at its cleanest since His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, made a surprise visit a week ago.

Vendors told The Brunei Times yesterday that the tamu is in peak condition as Municipal Department officials visited the market almost every day to ensure hygiene is practised.

One of the vendors, Einon Hj Tuah, said the whole market was cleaned after His Majesty’s visit to the market.

Previously, she said the cleaning of the market would be conducted once or sometimes twice a month.

During a visit to the Ministry of Home Affairs last week, the monarch had expressed dissatisfaction with the hygiene at Tamu Kianggeh, describing it as messy and an eyesore.

Another vendor, Jamil Hj Tamin, said the Municipal Department previously sent notices to vendors if they were about to clean the market.

During those days, he said vendors would close up shop and pack up their wares to make it easier for cleaners to clear the filth.

“However, there were many instances when we opened our stalls the next day, only to find out that not every part of the market was cleaned, except the front area,” he said.

He said if the Municipal Department has better communication with the vendors, they would be more than willing to cooperate in ensuring cleanliness and management of stall spaces.

“About five years ago, there would be cleaning campaigns conducted by the Municipal Department every week on Mondays, vendors would also take part in the campaign,” said the 41-year-old.

Jamil said if the authorities could reintroduce the weekly cleaning campaign, the cleanliness of the market would be easily maintained.

The Municipal Department has also sorted out the vendors’ stalls in one area of the market, which is the parking area across the Brunei Malay Teachers Association (PGGMB) building in the capital.

Jinut Hj Timbang, one of the vendors who operates in the area, said Municipal Department officials approached them on Saturday and supervised the rearrangements of the stalls.

Previously, the vendors’ stalls would be scattered around the parking area, often creating traffic congestion for car owners using the parking lot.

They are are located only on one side of the parking lot, where there is a bridge connecting the space to Tamu Kianggeh.

“If it is for our own good, then we will happily do it, I’m sure there will be no future problems if the Municipal Department just communicate with us more often,” she said.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

HM demands answers from MoHA on tamu

Waqiuddin Rajak
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Ministry of Home Affairs was placed in the hot seat yesterday when His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, demanded answers over the inaction of officials in tackling problems.

Delivering his titah during a visit to the ministry’s headquarters yesterday, the monarch said the maintenance of markets has worsened because it continues to be neglected.

His Majesty said he witnessed Tamu Kianggeh vendors selling their goods all over the market without considering hygiene and comfort during his visit there last Sunday.

Describing the conditions of the market as messy and an eyesore, the Sultan added that he had difficulties navigating the tamu because the stalls were disorganised and some occupied a larger space than others, including selling their products on the stairs.

“This is an unpleasant sight. I also saw garbage and stones scattered around, while there is a vendor selling kuih apam balik (local delicacy) outside of a building nearby,” he said.

“Where are the municipal authorities? Did they not see this situation?

“If so, why was it left without being addressed?” he continued.

The monarch went on to say that the long abandoned building near the market showed that the authorities had given the green light to construct the building without careful assessment as it was not necessary and suitable to be built in the area.

Some of the vendors, he said, had also complained of foreigners loitering at the cemetery behind the tamu on Fridays and Sundays.

“According to the vendors there, this is unpleasant to them, there were efforts to forbid (the foreign workers) but it was unsuccessful,” he said.

“The vendors had to report to authorities including the police and the Municipal Department, but the situation did not change, and it became worse,” he added.

The monarch expressed concerns as the vendors had also told him that the foreigners may disturb them as they were drunk.

“So my question is, where is the discretion of the authorities in this? Where are measures to preserve the sanctity of the cemetery? Where are our efforts to ensure peace and safety?” he said.

“Do we not see drunk people at the cemetery as threatening? Would it not be possible that apart from them being intoxicated, they may also plan something that can endanger the country?” he added.

The monarch noted no changes had been made, an indication that the issue was not resolved.

“If it is addressed, at least we will see changes for the better, but the situation at the tamu seems to be getting worse,” he said.

He added that if the authorities were not told or instructed to take action, changes would not be made.

“So here I would like to once again ask, where are the municipal authorities and the others?” he added.

The Sultan said the same can be applied to the Jerudong wet market as it is now only left with fishmongers as fruits and vegetable vendors had long abandoned their stalls in the building.

These vendors had brought their goods to the corridors of the building, making it difficult for people to pass by as it is now filled with temporary stalls for vendors to sell their goods.

His Majesty said the reason they had abandoned their designated stalls because it was dark, hidden and not enough clean air, making it difficult for them to attract customers.

The building, His Majesty said, is now abandoned, neglected and dirty.

“This continues to persist, where are the authorities? Why has it not been visited?

“How long has this been going on? What are we waiting for?” he said.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Rombongan NDP prihatin tentang untung nasib peniaga-peniaga Tamu Kianggeh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 28 Dis - Hampir semua peniaga secara kecil-kecilan dan sederhana, di Tamu Kianggeh melahirkan rasa tidak bersetuju atas keputusan untuk mereka dipindahkan daripada kawasan berniaga yang sudah sinonim dengan mereka terutama sekali di kalangan peniaga-peniaga warga emas yang mendakwa sudah berpuluh-puluh tahun menjadikan tempat itu sebagai tempat mereka mencari mata pencarian selama ini.

Mereka juga terkilan kenapa mereka tidak diajak untuk memberikan pandangan sama atas keputusan pihak berkenaan itu. Mereka meluahkan perasaan dan pandangan mereka ini kepada rombongan Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (NDP) yang membuat lawatan kerja mereka ke kawasan tamu tersebut kemarin. Rombongan di ketuai oleh Presiden parti itu, Malai Hassan bin Malai Haji Othman.

Ramai di kalangan peniaga-peniaga di sana terdiri daripada kalangan warga emas selain terdapat juga di kalangan ibu tunggal yang berniaga di sana untuk menampung kehidupan bersama anak-anak mereka. Menurut mereka pendapatan minima setiap hari kira-kira lebih $30.00 dan pendapatan akan meningkat di waktu hujung minggu.

Banyak perkara yang mereka bimbangkan dengan langkah untuk memindahkan mereka ke kawasan tamu baru di Gadong.

“Jika kami dipindahkan ke kawasan Gadong sepertimana kami difahamkan, maka antara kesukaran kami ialah terpaksa dua kali naik bas, daripada tempat tinggal kami, bas berhentian di satu perhentian di Bandar Seri Begawan sahaja, kemudian dari sini kami terpaksa lagi naik bas lain untuk ke Gadong, dan kami terpaksa mengangkut dagangan kami”, kata beberapa orang peniaga di sana yang tinggal jauh daripada kawasan tamu.

Selain yang tinggal di kawasan kampung ayer pula, jika dipindahkan ke kawasan baru, adalah menjadi kesukaran mereka dari segi pengangkutan, biarpun ada bas, tetapi ramai dikalangan mereka adalah warga emas yang sudah kurang kekuatan fizikal.

“Kami selalunya hanya naik motor bot, dari seberang kampung kami dan naik di tambatan depan tamu ini” kata beberapa orang lagi peniaga warga emas yang tinggal di kawasan kampung ayer.

Sementara itu Presiden NDP, Malai Hassan bin Malai Haji Othman, ketika ditemui menyatakan rasa terkilannya dengan isu hangat pemindahan Tamu Kianggeh yang telah mengundang banyak bantahan daripada kalangan masyarakat tempatan terutama penjaja-penjaja yang merasakan langkah itu akan menjejaskan mata pencarian mereka.

Menurutnya, sebahagian besar masyarakat di negara ini pula merasakan langkah tersebut tidak wajar, memandangkan Tamu Kianggeh merupakan sebahagian daripada warisan sejarah dan budaya orang Brunei, selain turut merupakan kawasan popular di kalangan pelancong luar negara yang ingin melihat sambl belajar menghayati suasana kehidupan dan budaya orang Brunei.

“NDP dalam hal ini memahami sentimen orang ramai yang terbabit, dan bimbang ianya boleh mengundang kepada kebencian rakyat kepada sektor perkhidmatan awam terutama elit-elit pentadbir yang di amanahkan untuk menjaga kemasalahan rakyat, selain kami juga khuatir perlaksanaan perancangan yang gagal mengambil kira kemasalahatan peniaga-peniaga kecil dan sederhana di tamu itu, akan sekali lagi menjejasakan kredibiliti sektor perkhidmatan awam sebagai pemudahcara pembangunan bangsa dan negara, seperti juga yang pernah dicetuskan oleh isu Pasar Seria yang dipindahkan ke Pasar Baru Lorong Tiga, hingga sekarang ia dilihat sebagai satu testimonial kehancuran peniaga-peniaga Melayu berpunca daripada perancangan yang lemah” katanya.

Tambahnya lagi, NDP menyokong penuh usaha pihak Lembaga Bandaran Bandar Seri Begawan ke arah mencapai objektif-objektif  antaranya untuk memelihara kebersihan alam sekitar, keselamatan dan keselesaan pengguna-pengguna jalanraya serta bagi tujuan menambah cantik persekitaran ibu negara Bandar Seri Begawan, selain alasan yang turut ditekankan untuk menghormati tanah perkuburan orang-orang Islam yang terletak berdekatan di tamu itu.

“Akan tetapi NDP berkeyakinan objektif-objektif tersebut masih boleh dicapai tanpa mengambil langkah-langkah drastik yang jelas telah banyak mengundang kegelisahan dan kekecewaan di kalangan peniaga-peniaga di tamu itu, khususnya dan di kalangan masyarakat umum, dari itu, kami berharap pihak-pihak berkenaan akan dapat memikirkan semula perancangan tersebut dengan mengambil kira semua sudut pembangunan bukan sahaja pembangunan fisikal akan tetapi lebih penting pembangunan sosial rakyat Brunei, serta kami menyeru pihak berkenaan agar mempertimbangkan semula perancangan dengan mengingati motto negara “Berkhidmat Mengikut Petunjuk Allah”, di mana nanti negara akan terus menjadi negara yang baik dengan keadilan di tegakkan” ujarnya.

Turut menyertai lawatan hari ini, Timbalan Presiden NDP, Pengiran Haji Zainal bin Pengiran Haji Talib, serta ahli-ahli Majlis Tertinggi pertubuhan itu daripada seluruh negara.

Berikut kenyataan rasmi Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (NDP) tentang isu Tamu Kianggeh:

KENYATAAN MEDIA PARTI PEMBANGUNAN BANGSA (NDP)

UNTUK SIARAN SEGERA
TARIKH: 25 DISEMBER 2015
PER: NDP KESAL DENGAN ISU TAMU KIANGGEH

1. PARTI PEMBANGUNAN BANGSA (NDP) rasa terkilan dengan isu hangat pemindahan Tamu Kianggeh yang telah mengundang banyak bantahan dari kalangan masyarakat tempatan terutama peniaga-peniaga Melayu yang merasakan langkah tersebut akan menjejaskan mata pencarian dan masa hadapan mereka

2. Langkah tersebut juga dilihat oleh sebahagian besar masyarakat Brunei sebagai tidak wajar kerana Tamu Kianggeh merupakan sebahagian dari warisan sejarah dan budaya orang Brunei yang perlu dipelihara dan dimajukan

3. Tambahan lagi Tamu Kianggeh telah dikenali ramai sebagai destinasi popular yang menjadi tarikan pelancong asing yang ingin melihat keunikan Negara Brunei dan menghayati suasana kehidupan dan budaya orang Brunei

4. Di Tamu Kianggeh pelancung asing dapat melihat dengan lebih dekat lagi suasana hiruk pikuk di tamu berkenaan disamping meninjau ke tempat jualan kuih-kuih kering, jualan perubatan tradisi orang-orang Brunei dan tempat jualan ikan kering, belacan dan lain-lain hasil usaha kampong

5. NDP mengingat kembali sejarah Tamu Kianggeh yang bermula pada awal 1960-an. Dulunya ia merupakan tempat padian wanita menjual pelbagai hasil produk mereka dengan menggunakan bot yang juga dikenali sebagai padian dan tempat ini juga dikatakan pernah mennerima lawatan dari Ratu Elizabeth sebanyak dua kali dan juga puteranya, Putera Charles sekitar tahun 1980-an

6. Sehubungan dengan itu NDP sangat memahami sentimen orang ramai mengenai isu tersebut dan berkongsi pandangan dengan seluruh rakyat yang tidak selesa dengan tindakan pihak berkuasa tersebut

7. NDP bimbang langkah tersebut mengundang ‘kebencian' rakyat dan boleh menghakis kepercayaan rakyat terhadap sektor perkhidmatan awam terutama elit-elit pentadbir yang diamanahkan untuk menjaga maslahah rakyat

8. Menurut laporan media-media perdana pihak Lembaga Bandaran Bandar Seri Begawan telah mengeluarkan notis pemindahan dan telah mengarahkan semua peniaga-peniaga di Tamu Kianggeh untuk mengosongkan kawasan tersebut dan berpindah ke kawasan Pasar Gadong selewat-lewatnya bulan Mac 2016

9. NDP mengambil maklum bahawa pihak Lembaga Bandaran Bandar Seri Begawan telah memberikan beberapa alasan-alasan seperti berikut untuk menjustifikasikan langkah tersebut:

I. Ianya merupakan salah satu program Lembaga Bandaran BSP untuk mencantikan persekitaran Bandar Seri Begawan

II. Langkah untuk memelihara kebersihan alam sekitar Bandar Seri Begawan

III. Mengurangkan kesesakan lalu lintas jalan utama berhadapan Tamu Kianggeh

IV. Untuk menghormati tanah perkuburan orang-orang Islam yang berdekatan dengan Tamu Kianggeh

10. NDP juga mengambil maklum langkah memindah Tamu Kianggeh tersebut merupakan sebahagian dari projek pembinaan Tamu Gadong (Berpayung) yang ‘bermasalah' sejak ianya siap dibina pada tahun 2014

11. Dari sudut pandang NDP isu ini dilihat sebagai satu lagi kegagalan pihak-pihak berkenaan dalam membuat perancangan kemajuan yang melibatkan secara langsung kemaslahatan peniaga-peniaga kecil dan sederhana dengan bijaksana

12. Ia juga merupakan satu kegagalan pihak berkuasa untuk mengambil pendekatan yang holistik selaras dengan tuntutan Melayu Islam Beraja sebagai konsep berbangsa dan bernegara orang Brunei dalam membuat perancangan dan perlaksanaan sesuatu perancangan yang melibatkan kemaslahatan peniaga-peniaga kecil dan sederhana

13. Dalam hal ini apa yang jelas ialah proses membuat keputusan tidak melibatkan sepenuhnya pandangan-pandangan rakyat terutama peniaga-peniaga di Tamu Kianggeh yang merupakan ‘stakeholder' yang tidak kurang penting dalam membuat keputusan besar ini

14. Perlu dijelaskan NDP bersetuju dengan objektif-objektif yang diketengahkan oleh pihak Lembaga Bandaran Bandar Seri Begawan dalam langkahnya memindah peniaga-peniaga di Tamu Kianggeh ke empat lokasi di Gadong

15. Akan tetapi NDP kurang bersetuju dengan langkah kearah mencapai objektif-objektif tersebut iaitu dengan menamatkan riwayat Tamu Kianggeh dan sekali gus meletakan masa hadapan peniaga-peniaga di Tamu Kianggeh dalam keadaan gusar akan masa hadapan yang boleh pasti terjamin

16. NDP juga sangat tidak selesa untuk bersetuju dengan sebarang langkah yang terdapat unsur-unsur ketidakadilan didalamnya terutama yang boleh menjejaskan mata pencarian dan masa hadapan peniaga-peniaga anak tempatan

17. NDP berkeyakinan objektif-objektif tersebut masih boleh dicapai tanpa mengambil langkah-langkah ‘drastic' yang jelas telah banyak mengundang kegelisahan dan kekecewaan dikalangan peniaga-peniaga di Tamu Kianggeh

18. Dari itu NDP berseru kepada pihak-pihak berkenaan agar memikirkan semula perancangan tersebut dengan mengambil kira semua sudut pembangunan bukan sahaja pembangunan fisikal akan tetapi lebih penting pembangunan sosial rakyat Brunei

19. NDP khuatir perlaksanaan perancangan yang gagal mengambil kira kemaslahatan peniaga-peniaga kecil dan sederhana di Tamu Kianggeh akan sekali lagi menjejaskan kredibiliti sektor perkhidmatan awam sebagai pemudahcara pembangunan bangsa dan negara, seperti juga yang pernah dicetuskan oleh isu pasar Seria yang dipindahkan ke pasar baru di Lorong Tiga.

20. Hingga kehari ini ia menjadi ristaan tentang kehancuran peniaga-peniaga Melayu yang berpunca dari perancangan yang tidak bijaksana

21. Sekali lagi NDP menyeru pihak-pihak berkenaan agar mempertimbangkan semula perancangan tersebut dengan melihat semula nilai-nilai Tamu Kianggeh sebagai satu aset sejarah dan budaya bukannya semata-mata sebagai satu liabiliti kepada persekitaran Bandar Seri Begawan

22. Ada berkatnya jika pihak-pihak berkenaan mengingati semula motto negara “BERKHIDMAT MENGIKUT PENTUNJUK ALLAH” dan bertolak dari sana serta atas landasan Negara Zikir dalam membuat sebarang perancangan dan keputusan

23. Ada juga berkatnya jika pihak-pihak berkenaan turut mengingat titah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam seperti berikut:

"Salah satu dari ciri bersyukur itu ialah dengan melaksanakan keadilan. Kerana keadilan adalah segala-galanya. Tanpa keadilan, semua kebajikan akan jauh atau menarik diri daripada kita.
 
Oleh itu, satu peringatan perlu disebut di sini, bahawa sesiapa jua yang dilantik atau dipilih menjadi pemimpin, mereka itu adalah berkewajipan untuk menjalankan keadilan. Tempat tumpahnya keadilan ialah keatas rakyat, bukan kepada diri sendiri. Adapun untuk kepentingan diri sendiri, itu bukanlah keadilan tetapi kezaliman.
 
Sebab itulah kadang-kadang, bersedia mendengar suara orang di bawah, atau menerima idea-idea yang baik, atau keluhan atau rintihan mereka dapat dianggap sebagai ciri melaksanakan keadilan."

(Titah Rombakan Keahlian Majlis Mesyuarat Menteri-Menteri Kabinet Dan Pelantikan-Pelantikan Baru 09 MUHARRAM 1437 / 22 OKTOBER 2015)

24. Semoga dengan itu nanti negara akan terus menjadi negara yang baik dimana keadilan ditegakkan, pihak yang berhak mendapat hak nya dengan adil dan ihsan, dan yang berkewajipan menjalankan kewajipan mereka dengan jujur, amanah dan bersih. In sya Allah negara uyang baik ini akan sentiasa mendapat perlindungan Allah jauh dari murka Allah.


Sumber - Laman Aspirasi NDP

OPINION: Prison food budget luxurious

Dear Editor,

THE $3.56 million prison food bill reported in The Brunei Times article dated March 23, 2014, on page A12, begs some outrage.

It translates to a daily food costs of more than $18 on each of the 543 inmates in Brunei. The last time I spent $18 a day on my food was never. That’s the cost of my weekly groceries for two people – and I eat quite well!

The article clearly states that this is strictly a food cost, so one has to wonder what kind of feasts are being served up in Bruneian prisons, or do they hold lavish birthday parties every day for prisoners?

I understand that prisoners, like any member of society, deserve correct and humane treatment even if this means providing three square meals a day and caring for their health and nutrition needs.

Prison sentences are a second chance for criminals and they are no less human than you and I. They are certainly no more, either.

Calculate that amount and you realise that an inmate’s monthly food expenditure comes to roughly $540, which is higher than the salaries of many lower-income workers in this country. A pensioner gets less than half of that.

My feeling is that the food supplier is the culprit, rather than decadent inmates. There has to be a way to at least halve that cost and put the $1.8 million savings into more constructive prison programmes.

Free citizen, Belait


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Lack of interaction between leaders, public block progress

ISSUES requiring urgent attention should be dealt with immediately instead of waiting for the next meeting to highlight the nature of the problem, said the Minister of Home Affairs.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman said that there seems to be a ‘communication breakdown’ in getting attention and assistance for issues that require immediate attention.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs and the department within it will always welcome any Legislative Council member to get feedback on the welfare of the people and citizens.

“If issues of such nature can be solved at a district level, do not wait for the Legislative Council to meet to finally discuss those issues,” asserted the home affairs minister.

“Especially for Village Heads, I am puzzled with the issues voiced. It is as though there is a communication breakdown between the village heads and the district office? This is an issue that I will look into,” he added.

This was addressed by the minister in response to Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Kerna Dato Paduka Seri Hj Yaakub Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Zainal regarding the potential dangers associated with boat jetties that are not equipped with hand railings for the elderly or facilities to assist those with special needs.

Other issues that were brought up by district level representatives included an allowance for village heads for delivering old age pension, to immediately fill up vacant village head posts instead of having another village head temporarily take over responsibility for the village, and misplaced and absent village signage amongst others.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Civil Service Told To Shed Its Negative Image

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - BruDirect.com

Hot Topics: Single Mother Of Five Waiting For Daily Wages Since July

I would like to share a problem on my living allowance which started with my daily paid job for six years now.

I am a single mother of five school-going children. I have yet to receive my pay although I was supposed to have been paid end of July.

When I asked the relevant authorities about this, the sad thing was that the answer was always the same - the pay is still being processed.

My question is why is this matter still unresolved? I believe anyone waiting for their pay is desperately in need of it, especially to buy things for their schoolchildren's needs.

Those who are entitled, like I am, are hoping this matter will be resolved before schools resume in a few weeks time.

A few days ago, I went to my department as usual to ask about this.

What was surprising was that I was asked about the letter that I was issued on my appointment as a daily paid employee, copies of wage sheets and so on.

These were already submitted months ago and still the matter has not been resolved.

One more thing in the query letter was about service record. Again I was asked about this by my department.

I was told that all sick leave or without pay leave would be deducted. I was wondering why when to my knowledge only electricity, telephone and water bills needed to be settled.

If there were bills to settle, I believe I should be getting a balance.

The telephone bill was already settled in full. As far as I know shouldn't the leave without pay and sick leave be dealt with through TAP when retirement comes?

I'm hopeful this matter would be resolved soon.

Dipetik dari - BruDirect.com

Hot Topics: Is Royal Trophy An Exception?

The closing of all businesses, including malls and theatres, from 12pm to 2pm on Fridays as commanded by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in his titah has received mixed responses and people have aired their opinions.

For some who travel two hours to work and can only go out for lunch at 12pm, it was really difficult for us. Even if we go out at 11.30am, some shops are already closed. After weeks, we got used to it and we started ordering food to be delivered to our office before 11am.

But to know that The Royal Trophy Golf Tournament was not totally stopped from 12pm - 2pm and to see activities were still going on yesterday was upsetting.

Why is The Royal Trophy an exception?

Are we not supposed to follow and obey His Majesty's titah?

Are the organisers not aware of His Majesty's titah?

Is this how the organisers try to portray the country to the outside world?

We have expats here who complain that they can't enjoy their lunch time on Fridays, yet privileges are given to these golfers.

To all organisers who wish to organise any activities in future, please be fair to all employees who work on Friday Games and activities can always start after Jumaat prayer, if you still insist of having the games on Friday.

Let's all support His Majesty in making Brunei Darussalam a "Negara Zikir".

Dipetik dari - BruDirect.com

Letters to the Editor: Was it an alleged jump?

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Dear Editor,

THIS is with reference to your article titled "Alleged jump at RIPAS". I was one of the WhatsApp users receiving the unverified photo on the incident day (December 6, 2012).

The comment made by Inspector Pg Hj Yusra Pg Hj Mohammad, a public relations officer from the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), with regard to the incident has left me dismayed.

How can they leave a comment like that? "An alleged jump?" That's it? They can't even confirm if the individual was a patient when the circulated photo has made it pretty obvious that a male, who is wearing a patient uniform, was lying on the ground, surrounded by an emergency medical team from the hospital.

The PRO also said that the case was currently under investigation but never got back to the public to share details of the incident. Why do I want to know so bad? Because I could've been a distant relative to that person and it would've mattered. And how could such thing happen at a hospital? Aren't patients supposed to be under close supervision of the nurses and doctors on duty? So what's happening authorities? Enlighten us.

As for the news, it was better off unpublished.

Getting bored of government red tapes, BSB

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

RBA apologises for 'scary' BI424 flight

Dear SG, BSB

Saturday, November 24, 2012

WE WRITE in response to the your Letter to the Editor published on the 21st November 2012 in The Brunei Times with regards to the Royal Brunei Airlines Flight BI424 on 11th November 2012.

We would like to emphasise that Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) works in close co-operation with and, under the continuous guidance and supervision of, Brunei Air Traffic Control (ATC) at all times to ensure the safety of our passengers.

However we all know that weather can be unpredictable and our pilots are trained to deal with a sudden deterioration in conditions which can happen at any time.

This is precisely what occurred in relation to Flight BI424 on 11th November 2012. On approach to landing the captain encountered a sudden worsening in weather conditions and he adopted standard operating procedures to gently regain altitude and with the authorization of ATC, selected the opposite runway for a safe landing.

We apologise to passengers if they experienced any mild discomfort during this procedure but please rest assured that your safety is of paramount concern and is the cornerstone of our close working relationship with ATC which has developed over many years.

Yours sincerely,

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES

For media inquiries, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Royal Brunei Airlines Sdn Bhd
Tel: 2240010 Fax: 2223115
Email: edmedia@rba.com.bn
Website: www.flyroyalbrunei.com

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Letters to the Editor: A scary landing due to duty negligence

Dear Editor,

THE Brunei Civil Aviation needs a wake-up call.

I was on board BI424 on November 11, 2012, from Singapore to Bandar Seri Begawan. The pilot announced the weather in Brunei was fair and clear prior to landing. But just before approaching to land, the plane slowed down as usual.

However, it then started to move from side to side and shook upwards and downwards. Once close to the ground, at the very last minute, we could hear the plane engines roar and it shot up into the sky like a rocket, abandoning the landing!

Amid more jolts and shakes, the pilot announced that he had not been updated about the very bad weather in Brunei.

Obviously, had he been informed earlier, a different approach to landing would have been applied. Alhamdulillah, due to the skill of the pilot and also the silent prayers of everybody on board, we could land safely.

The passengers were clearly shaken, especially women were seen still crying at the baggage collection area.

As a patron of Royal Brunei (RB) and the Brunei International Airport, I urge RB to seriously and urgently bring the matter to the Department of Civil Aviation, whose staff on duty on that particular night, were clearly negligent in their duty and responsibility in not advising the pilot about the poor weather condition.

Our flight was due to arrive at 11.15pm but due to the incident, which could have been avoided if duty and responsibility were exercised by the relevant department's staff, we arrived much later instead.

SG, BSB

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Tamu Selera Vendors Upset Over Job Done Badly

Bandar Seri Begawan - Two months ago, vendors and stall operators conducting business at Tamu Selera sought out the assistance of the government in resolving serious sewage spill problems, which were affecting their respective businesses.

In an interview with the Bulletin, one of the stall owners quickly took the opportunity to express his appreciation and gratitude toward the media for publicising a long overdue matter.

"We were thankful that the problem was published in the newspaper two months ago. There were authorities who managed to fix part of the problem, but after that, the remains have been left neglected and we haven't received any updates since," he said.

He proceeded to discuss the prevalence of sewage problems, resulting in the area deteriorating. The very same manhole where wastewater was overflowing from two months ago, has once again started flooding the surrounding area with a nauseating smell.

"I have once again tried to inform the authorities about the matter but I have never actually spoken to anyone who seemed interested in fixing the problem. They only tell us to confirm that a report has been made and that's it. They never do anything else," he said in frustration.

Stall operators in Tamu Selera are becoming more insistent that more delays and vague excuses are no longer acceptable in solving this matter, because the patronage of their customers are very important to the vendors. "This problem has an impact on our business. Our customers are starting to lessen because of the unbearable smell. We have been receiving hundreds of complaints from our customers and it was them who suggested the local media bring this issue to light again.

"We all know that Tamu Selera is supposed to be a place where one can settle down and enjoy a nice meal with their family, but how is that meant to happen when one is always greeted by a repulsive and nauseating smell when it is meal time. We have felt the results of the relevant authorities poorly conducted half-finished work. Our customers have lost their appetites.

"What makes this worse is that everyone knows about it. It has been around for quite a long time. The state of the sewage needs to be looked at and maintained far beyond the current standard of practice.

"This issue can impact our tourism industry so negatively because the problem has affected us in so many ways and it is plain to see that very little is ever done. We have been told that Tamu Selera will be relocated to a new place sometime in 2014, but that doesn't mean that they can simply neglect or ignore this problem after the relocation.

"We really hope that an investigation into the overspill of sewage will be conducted more professionally, and that realistic steps will be taken to prevent this from happening again," he added. ~ Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Dipetik dari - BruDirect.com

Letters to the Editor: RIPAS mental health unit needs new approach

Dear Editor

ACCORDING to the Minister of Health, Brunei Darussalam, some 11, 000 patients have been registered with the Mental Health Services (BT, Oct 10, 2012).

The number is an alarming development for a small nation with less than 400,000 people and the situation could worsen in the coming months.

I was surprised for what I had seen in RIPAS mental health unit during my stay in the country that made me and my family sad and angry.

As a responsible Muslim, I ask the authorities why they have kept quiet all these years without proper monitoring and follow up action.

It's sad that patients are kept indoors all day. They are not allowed to go out under the supervision of qualified doctors and experienced nurses for a rehabilitation programme so that they could become part and parcel of the community.

Some doctors are good at giving their patients large quantities of medicine to keep them calm but as a matter of fact their health situation continues to worsen.

Some parents have taken them out as they found it hopeless to keep them there.

As a responsible person, I wrote to those in power in the unit that these patients needed to be out doing some activities so that after sometime they could be integrated in the community but sadly my request was declined and they never replied.

Thanks to Allah, here in New Zealand (where my family and I are living), when I write to any minister he replies within a month. This shows how responsible and accountable they are.

I request the Brunei Minister of Health, who is a caring person and has made major improvement in the hospital, to make a surprise visit to the unit to see what is going on or I strongly suggest he send one of his staff members to the unit to observe what is going on and ask the patients about the prevailing conditions there.

He also needs to tell the doctors, especially those who have been serving in this unit for many years, that their time is up for retirement.

The hospital needs the new generation of young Bruneian doctors, working in UK and Singapore, to return home so that they can look after patients who need their urgent help before it is too late.

How far RIPAS management would succeed, only time and history will tell.

Dr Saad Al-Harran,
New Zealand

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times