Malaysia resolving red tape on land travel to Brunei border

PM says Brunei and Malaysia have set up a technical committee to resolve bureaucracy issues involving land travel to the Brunei border.

MIRI: Bureaucratic formalities involving land travel between Malaysia and Brunei will be resolved soon, says Prime Minister Najib Razak.

He said the Brunei government had in principle agreed to resolve the issue of bureaucracy along the common border with Malaysia and had set up a technical committee for the purpose.

“The technical committee is looking into facilitating land journeys without the need for passport checks,” he told reporters after launching eight packages of the Pan Borneo Highway for Sarawak, costing a total of RM12.5 billion, here today.

“This matter is being studied and we should be getting a final decision soon,” he added.

Najib said at present, Malaysians from Sabah and Sarawak and the people of Brunei had to go through eight Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complexes.

He said this resulted in the passports of those frequently commuting between Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei, to be stamped as many as 16 times.

When asked about the construction of the five-kilometre Batang Lupar Bridge, Najib confirmed that the federal government was currently in discussions with the Sarawak government over the matter.

The bridge is slated to be built in 2018 as the cost of construction is to be shared by both governments.

“It is expected to cost RM1 billion, and when completed, will be the longest bridge in South East Asia,” he said.

He added that once the bridge was completed, Sarawak would have two highways which would benefit the people living along the coastline and interior of the state.

Najib also said the bridge would be part of the Sarawak coastal highway while the Pan Borneo Highway would connect those living in the interior areas.


Sumber - Free Malaysia Today

Bruneians unfazed by international media perception of country

Brunei is often known internationally as a tiny oil-rich in country in Southeast Asia with a strict Islamic penal code, but some citizens tell Channel NewsAsia the foreign media have unfairly sensationalised the country's royals and laws.


By Sumisha Naidu

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Every Friday at 12pm, Brunei's capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan becomes a ghost town.

Muslims in the capital observe Friday prayers and for the next two hours, every business - from restaurants to entertainment outlets - must remain closed by law.

During the fasting month, a similar scenario occurs. In 2014, the government declared that restaurants will not be able to serve dine-in food between sunrise and sunset, regardless of the owners' or customers' religion.

These are just some of the effects of the deep Islamic roots that run through the nation of about 420,000 people. In 2014, the Sultan announced the rollout of a strict Islamic penal code, a first for a Southeast Asian country. Some of the harsher penalties include flogging, severing of limbs and death by stoning.

While Islam is Brunei's official religion, government figures state about 34 per cent of the population are of different religions, including Buddhism and Christianity.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs said the minorities are free to practice their faiths, but only among themselves. Public displays of non-Muslim festivities are prohibited as this could be construed as attempts to propagate religions other than Islam.

The laws sound restrictive but many non-Muslims appear unfazed.

"This is a Muslim country so we have to follow Muslim laws right?" said Jessica, a retiree.

“I think because I grew up here in Brunei, I’m used to the life here so I think everything is fine,” added Shar Pay, a teacher.

Professor James Chin, director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania, said: "Being a minority in Brunei, they've always lived under restrictions, even before the Sharia law was imposed. So I think they are used to living with restrictions. They have a coping mechanism built in. The Chinese population has been there since the 15th century."

UNFAIR CRITICISM

Publicly at least, complaints are few and far between in Brunei, one of the world's richest nations. But internationally, the small nation has often been thrown into the spotlight over its religious policing and the lavish lifestyles of the royal family, to whom Sharia law does not apply.

Brunei is constitutionally an absolute monarchy, and there are very few limits to the powers of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

But some locals have said foreign media have unfairly sensationalised the royals and the Islamic regulations, so much so that it has affected tourism.

"Actually before we had a lot of bookings but now it's quite quiet," said tour guide Ali Kairul Rizal. “When foreign media reports mention Brunei, it is all about the Sharia law, it is all about the bad things about our Sultan. But they didn't get the news where every single thing, where every single Bruneian was happy because of our Sultan."

Many Bruneians Channel NewsAsia spoke to also revered the Sultan for using his oil wealth to help the people. "We love him so much, I'm very proud to have him as our Sultan of Brunei," said one citizen.

"The majority of them would support the monarchy for the very simple reason that Brunei have extensive welfare provisions,” said Professor Chin.

“For example, there is no personal income tax in Brunei. The overwhelming bulk of the population works for the civil service. All medical care for Brunei citizens are free. Education is completely free. And almost everything else is subsidised."

RESTLESS YOUTH?

Still, some from the younger generations are growing restless. Locals talk of boredom, crossing over the border on weekends to the much more liberal Malaysia. Some bring back restricted quantities of alcohol and cigarettes - things not openly sold in Brunei.

"The majority are happy. Only a small number of them think they're restricted,” said Brunei director of Youth and Sports Abdul Malik Mohammad. “Rebels, it is normal for young people to like to rebel."

To some Bruneians, these small gripes are still outweighed by the benefits of being a citizen. They do not see a need to leave just yet as long as the country continues to deliver on the promise enshrined in its official name: The Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace.


Sumber - Channel NewsAsia

Pengamal media diseru seimbangkan kebebasan penyataan

Oleh Ak Fairol RMF

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 26 Ogos – Para pengamal media hari diingatkan supaya menyeimbangkan kebebasan penyataan dan tanggungjawab bagi kepentingan awam supaya objektif mulia dalam kehidupan bernegara iaitu menikmati kesejahteraan, keamanan, perpaduan, keselamatan dan keadilan bersama tercapai.

Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Wahab bin Juned (gambar) berkata, jika kita lari dari prinsip keseimbangan ini, penyalahgunaan akan mudah terjadi sehingga membawa kepada pelbagai perilaku tidak bertanggungjawab sehingga ada yang berbau kebiadaban dan pengkhianatan.

“Jika ini menjadi budaya, akan mudahlah berleluasa hasutan, perpecahan, huru-hara, fitnah, ketidakjujuran, kebiadaban, pengkhianatan dan pendustaan,” tegas beliau semasa berucap pada Majlis Ramah Mesra Perhubungan Awam dan Media 2014 di Emperor’s Court, Manggis Mall hari ini.

Sehubungan itu, beliau menyeru para pengamal media dan juga perhubungan awam supaya sama-sama menghayati kepentingan negara kita sendiri sebagai konteks utama, sosio-budaya kita yang mengutamakan kerukunan hidup mulia dan Islam sebagai ugama rasmi negara dan cara hidup yang lengkap.

Dalam konteks ini, katanya, media tidak akan terikut-ikut mempersenda pemimpin-pemimpin negara, menyebarkan sensasi, mencari titik-titik perbalahan, menimbulkan isu-isu yang boleh menjadi ‘anti-thesis’ kepada pembangunan negara dan mencemarkan konsep Negara Melayu Islam Beraja atau MIB.

Dalam ucapannya itu, Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Wahab turut menyentuh mengenai kebebasan pernyataan atau freedom of expression yang juga dikaitkan dengan media sebagai hak fundamental.

Katanya, sungguhpun kebebasan penyataan ini merupakan hak fundamental untuk kebebasan media tetapi ia bukanlah hak yang mutlak atau ‘absolute right.’

Kedudukan ini, katanya adalah disebabkan yang kehidupan manusia ini mempunyai objektif-objektif mulia yang lain.

Antaranya ialah objektif mulia dalam kehidupan bernegara untuk mencapai kesejahteraan bersama, keamanan, perpaduan, keselamatan dan keadilan.

Menurut Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Wahab, setengah pihak dalam media terlalu taksub mengenai kebebasan penyataan ini seolah-olah tidak ada pertimbangan lain selain dari kebebasan media.

“Dalam media kita tidak semata-mata ditentukan oleh kepentingan komersil. Kepentingan dan kesejahteraan awam adalah salah satu objektif mulia kerajaan. Oleh itu adalah menjadi tanggungjawab kerajaan untuk memastikan media kita bertanggungjawab, profesional, beretika, pro perpaduan, mendukung ‘good governance’, adil dan peka pada setiap masa mengenai keselamatan, kesejahteraan dan keutuhan negara.

“Sungguhpun pada asasnya media itu mendahulukan prinsip-prinsip kejujuran, objektiviti, keadilan dan ketepatan maklumat, keseimbangan perlu ada dalam membuat laporan atau kenyataan supaya kepentingan awam dan negara tetap dijaga.

“Setiap hak seperti kebebasan penyataan adalah mengikut konteks negara, sosio-budaya dan kepercayaan. Sungguhpun ianya bersifat universal, tidak ada satu amalan kebebasan penyataan yang sama untuk semua. Begitulah juga peraturan yang menjaganya.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Tetap di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Awang Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos dalam ucapannya berkata, majlis hari ini bertujuan untuk mengeratkan lagi perhubungan di antara pegawai-pegawai serta pengamal-pengamal perhubungan awam kerajaan dengan media-media tempatan di negara ini.

Pada masa yang sama juga majlis ini diadakan untuk memberikan penghargaan kepada pihak media yang selama ini telah memberikan kerjasama yang baik dan padu kepada agensi-agensi kerajaan.

“Seperti yang kita ketahui, peredaran zaman terutama sekali dengan kemudahan teknologi yang membuka ruang untuk media baru ataupun ‘new media,’ pada masa ini telah membolehkan bagi maklumat lebih mudah diperolehi dan disebarkan oleh segenap pelosok masyarakat.

“Ini seharusnya dilihat sebagai salah satu cabaran kepada kita selaku pengamal perhubungan awam yang menjadi lidah kerajaan dengan kerjasama pihak media tempatan di dalam memberigakan sesuatu maklumat yang sahih, tepat dan cepat.

“Globalisasi dan perubahan teknologi telah menjadikan pemberigaan dan penyebaran maklumat dan informasi tidak lagi bersempadan.”

Penggunaan media-media baru dan penyebaran maklumat melalui media-media baru ini seperti laman-laman web, blog, aplikasi Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter dan Instagram jelas sekali menjadi cabaran yang tidak kurang hebatnya untuk diatasi oleh agensi-agensi kerajaan, swasta mahupun individu. Apatah lagi apabila maklumat yang disebarkan tersebut adalah tidak tepat dan tidak mempunyai kesahihan dan berunsurkan negatif.


Sumber - Media Permata

Stateless PRs' quest to belong continues

Aaron Alwines
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

STATELESS residents in Brunei are backing the point made by Yang Berhormat Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin on their plight of facing difficulties during international travel and inability also owning homes due to their status, during the sixth sitting of the Ninth Legislative Council Session on Thursday.

The LegCo member representing Persons Who Have Achieved Distinction said that permanent residents holding an International Certificate of Identity (ICI) are still facing problems when travelling abroad because immigration officials doubt the validity of ICIs.

Eric Wong, born and raised in Brunei, said that although his experience studying and travelling in the UK and Canada had been relatively normal he always had to wait longer than others.

Eric who now works in the banking industry said that he also had to fly to Singapore for the sole purpose of obtaining his visa to study in Canada. "Everywhere you go you must have a visa. I'm probably used to it now, since we have no choice. What control do we have?"

Tan Pei Chia, who had also studied abroad, said going through foreign immigration officials has "always been a difficult experience, whether it is for studies or travels".

"Most of the time, I'm asked to stay behind and the last to get through immigration so that they can conduct a thorough check on my personal details. Apart from treating me with suspicion, I get bombarded with questions such as how long do I intend to stay in their countries, what am I studying and whether I intend to return to Brunei."

Eric also pointed out he had recently heard that he could not visit certain countries including Dubai and Vietnam as they did not recognise the ICI documentation.

Lim Wei Xin said: "While I am thankful that YB Pehin Goh keeps bringing up this longstanding issue every year, I doubt printing 'State of Brunei' would make a difference. The moment foreign authorities see ICI, they will still doubt our reasoning for visiting or studying in their countries."

"ICI is not a passport, but a travelling document which does not recognise us as a citizen belonging to any country. In other words, we do not exist," she added.

To some stateless residents, the issue of ICI is just the tip of the iceberg of difficult issues that they have to face.

Eric argued that the issue of property ownership is his biggest worry.

"It all comes back to the problem of owning property under your own name, we are born here and we treat Brunei as our home already."

It is a basic need to own a home, to feel secure according to Eric. "There is no control over it, what are our options? Renting houses or just owning apartments? There was the issue of using the power of attorney to protect to our interest but in the end we officially we cannot have it (property) under own name."

Talking more broadly about the issue of those stateless, Zareena Amiruddin, a UBD student said: "I do know what it means for the country you call home not to recognise you as one of their own. At the end of the day, being stateless means you are automatically at a disadvantage to everyone else, and we are knowingly allowing people and their children to be disadvantaged."

To this, Christine Lim added: "Whether it is ICI issues or not being able to enjoy house ownership rights, it all boils down to lack of citizenship. As long as stateless PRs are not recognised as a citizen, we have no place to call home. Our hearts may be in Brunei, but unfortunately the country is not willing to accept us even though many were born and raised here for generations."

"We've studied Bahasa Melayu from Primary One to Secondary Five, so what is the use of taking the language examination again? Not only is it redundant, a citizenship exam cannot really test how well we know Brunei, nor can it test our loyalty to the nation. This statelessness issue doesn't only affect stateless PRs, it also gives a bad impression of the country's unwillingness to resolve this decades-old issue."

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Hayati patriotisme

Oleh Sim Y. H.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - Media Permata