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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - South China Morning Post

Economic diversification yet to be achieved: MIPR chief

Fitri Shahminan
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sultanate still reliant on oil and gas.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Only 10% public eateries have Halal cert

Harny Abu Khair
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Penggunaan air di negara ini antara tertinggi di dunia

Oleh: Dk. Vivy Malessa Pg. Ibrahim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - Pelita Brunei

Belanjawan negara BND5.4 bilion diluluskan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - Pelita Brunei

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

Al-Haadi Abu Bakar
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

2,500 hidap penyakit buah pinggang kronik

Oleh Sim Y. H.

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

Jumlah pesakit buah pinggang kronik ini adalah kritikal dan membimbangkan kerana jika tidak dikawal sebahagian pesakit akan mengakibatkan kegagalan fungsi buah pinggang atau dikenali End Stage Renal Disease (ERSD), jelas Menteri Kesihatan, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - Media Permata

Trials and tribulations of homeless family of 10

Nabilah Haris
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Minister Clarifies 'Relative Poverty'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dipetik dari - BruDirect.com

ISU TOL RASAU MEMERLUKAN PENELITIAN YANG SECUKUPNYA

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

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

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

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

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