Alhamdulillah pada hari Ahad 21/11/2010, selesai sudah majlis membaca tahlil dan doa arwah bagi memperingati ayahanda Allahyarham Mohamad bin Mahali yang telah kembali kerahmatullah pada sekitar tahun 1963.
Walaupun majlis diadakan secara kecil-kecilan dengan dihadiri oleh keluarga terdekat sahaja, tetapi syukur alhamdulillah majlis berjalan dengan lancar dan bermakna. Semoga doa yang disampaikan oleh ahli keluarga yang hadir termasuk anak2 dan cucu2 beliau akan selamat sampai keatas roh beliau. Amin.
Kami sekeluarga juga sempat menziarahi pusara beliau di Tanah Perkuboran Sugan di Pekan Tutong dan sempat membacakan Surah Yaasin dan doa tahlil seada nya. Mudah2an Allah memberikan rahmat keatas ayahanda dan menempatkan beliau bersama orang2 yang beriman serta selamat di alam barzah. Amin.
21 November, 2010
Membaca Doa Arwah
24 October, 2010
Selamat Menunaikan Ibadah Haji
Selamat menunaikan ibadah haji kepada semua bakal2 jemaah haji dari Negara Brunei Darussalam yang akan menunaikan fardhu pada tahun 2010 ini, khas nya kepada saudara-mara dan rakan-rakan yang dihormati:
1) Haji Roslan Bungso
2) Rahmat
3) Abd Rahim Md Noor
4) Bayu
5) Noor Hadi
6) Hjh Zaleha
7) Cikgu Haji Mohammad b. Rajab
8) Cikgu Fatimah
9) Pg Haris
Semoga pergi dengan selamat, dimudahkan segala urusan dan pulang dengan mendapat haji yang mabrur. Amin...
31 May, 2010
New Ministerial Line Up
CABINET MINISTERS, DEPUTY MINISTERS, EXECUTIVE PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND DEPUTY PERMANENT SECRETARIES
Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Minister of Finance
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam
Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office
His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince
Second Minister of Finance at the Prime Minister's Office
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Haji Abd Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim
Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office
Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Wahab bin Juned
Permanent Secretaries at Prime Minister's Office
Tuan Haji Abd Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Md Yusof
Tuan Haji Murni bin Haji Mohamad
Tuan Sa Bali bin Abbas
Tuan Haji Omar bin Haji Abd Rahman
Pengiran Haji Abd Harris bin Pengiran Haji Shahbudin
Tuan Md Lutfi bin Abdullah
Deputy Permanent Secretaries at Prime Minister's Office
Tuan Haji Ismail bin POKPS DP Hj Hashim (Energy)
Dr. Haji Affendy bin Pehin Dato Haji Abidin
Tuan Haji Abd Mutalib bin Pehin Dato Haji Yusof
Tuan Haji Mahrub bin Haji Murni
Deputy Minister of Defence
Dato Paduka Haji Mustappha bin Haji Sirat
Permanent Secretay at Ministry of Defence
Tuan Haji Saifulbahri bin Haji Mansor
Deputy Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Defence
Tuan Haji Mohd Sahrip bin Othman
Colonel Pengiran Dato Paduka Hj Azmansham bin Pengiran Hj Mohamed
Deputy Minister of Finance
Tuan Haji Bahrin bin Abdullah
Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Finance
Tuan Haji Mohd Roselan bin Haji Mohd Daud
Tuan Haji Hisham bin Haji Hanifah
Deputy Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Finance
Tuan Haji Mohd Rosli bin Haji Sabtu
Tuan Yusof bin Haji Abd Rahman
Tuan Yahya bin Haji Idris
Minister of Foreign Affairs
His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien
Second Minister of Foreign Affairs
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng
Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Othman bin Pengiran Haji Patra
Dato Paduka Haji Shofry bin Haji Abdul Ghafor
Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi
Datin Paduka Hajah Maimunah binti Dato Paduka Haji Elias
Tuan Haji Irywan bin Pehin Dato Haji Yusof
Deputy Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Dato Paduka Haji Mohamed Noor bin Haji Jeludin
Pengiran Datin Paduka Hajah Masrainah bte Pengiran Haji Ahmad
Tuan Haji Nazmi bin Haji Muhammad
Pengiran Dato Paduka Hj Yunus bin Pengiran Hj Mahmud
Minister of Education
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong
Deputy Minister of Education
Dato Seri Setia Haji Yusof bin Haji Ismail
Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Education
Datin Paduka Hajah Apsah binti Haji Majid
Tuan Haji Daud bin Haji Mahmud
Deputy Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Education
Tuan Haji Suhaila bin Haji Abd Karim
Dr. Haji Junaidi bin Haji Abd Rahman
Minister of Health
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd Yussof
Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Health
Dato Paduka Haji Abd Salam bin Momin
Deputy Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Health
Dr Datin Paduka Dr. Hajah Intan binti Haji Salleh
Tuan Haji Rosli bin Haji Mustafa
Minister of Development
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman
Deputy Minister of Development
Dato Paduka Haji Ali bin Haji Apong
Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Development
Tuan Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos
Dato Paduka Haji Rashid bin Haji Abd Rahman
Deputy Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Development
Tuan Haji Md Zin bin Haji Salleh
Minister of Communications
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar
Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Communications
Tuan Haji Alaihuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Haji Taha
Deputy Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Communications
Tuan Haji Mahmud bin Haji Daud
Minister of Industry and Primary Resources
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar
Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Puan Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar
Dr Haji Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah
Deputy Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Pengiran Hajah Mariana binti Pengiran Dipa Negara Pengiran Haji Abd Momin
Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office
Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Col (L) Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar
Minister of Religious Affairs
Yang Mulia Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abd Rahman
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs
Pengiran Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar
Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Religious Affairs
Tuan Haji Md Mahdi bin Pehin Dato Haji Abd Rahman
Deputy Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Religious Affairs
vacant
Minister of Home Affairs
Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Othman
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs
Pehin Dato Laila Major General (R) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Hj Md Yusof
Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Home Affairs
Tuan Mawardi bin Haji Abdullah
Tuan Haji Md Abdoh bin DSS Hj Abd Salam
Dato Paduka Haji Abd Majid bin Mangarshah
Deputy Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Home Affairs
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah
Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
Datin Hajah Adina bte Haji Osman
Permanent Secretaries at Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
Dato Paduka Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal
Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Hamid bin Haji Jaafar
Deputy Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
vacant - Tuan Haji Mohammad bin Haji Abd Rahman (Acting)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ambassador-at-Large
Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Masna binti Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MINISTERIAL RANK
Chief Justice
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Kifrawi bin Dato Paduka Haji Kifli
State Mufti
Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSTITUTIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Attorney General
Datin Paduka Hajah Hayati binti Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Salleh
[Note: This is now a Ministerial position]
State Mufti
Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned
[Note: This is now a Ministerial position]
Chairman of Public Service Commission
(vacant)
Auditor General
Tuan Haji Mahadi bin Haji Ibrahim
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
Syariah Court
Chief Justice of the Syariah Court
Yang Berhormat Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Yahya bin Haji Awang Ibrahim
Syariah Appeal Judges
Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman
Syariah High Court Judges
Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar
Dato Paduka Haji Metussin bin Haji Baki
Civil Court
President of the Court of Appeal
Chief Justice
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Kifrawi bin Dato Paduka Haji Kifli
High Court Judges and Judicial Commissioners
Dato Paduka Steven Chong
Dato Paduka Hairolarni bin Haji Abd Majid
Intermediate Court Judges
Ms. Lim Siew Yen
New Minister Appointments (Taken from The Brunei Times)
Credit to The Brunei Times. I just want to post it here for future reference, in case I them them. I am doing this so that I do not have to search the archives in The Brunei Times website in the future. Rgds and good luck to the new ministers and their deputies.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday announced the reshuffle and new appointments within the Council of Cabinet Ministers, including Brunei's first female deputy minister since the Sultanate introduced the Cabinet style system of government in 1984.
As the royal address was broadcast through state television and radio for the nation to hear, His Majesty announced that he will retain the posts of Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Minister of Finance.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah will also remain Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office.
His Majesty's brother, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah also retains the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong was moved from his post as Communications Minister to Minister of Education.
Former Home Affairs Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof has been named as the new Minister of Health.
On the other hand, the former Health Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman has been appointed as the new Minister of Development.
The former Development Minister, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, is now the Minister of Communications.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Abd Rahman Hj Ibrahim and Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng will remain as Industry and Primary Resources Minister, Second Minister of Finance and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade respectively.
His Majesty also announced the promotion of several deputy ministers.
Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar was promoted from being the Deputy Minister of Defence to Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office.
Deputy Minister of Education Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abdul Rahman has assumed the post of Minister of Religious Affairs.
The post of Minister of Home Affairs is now seated by Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, former deputy minister of Religious Affairs.
Deputy Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah is now Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The new Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office is Dato Paduka Hj Abd Wahab Juned, who previously was the chairman of the Public Service Commission.
Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat has been promoted from his post as the First Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence to Deputy Minister of Defence.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Hj Bahrin Abdullah is now the Deputy Minister of Finance.
The former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Dato Seri Setia Hj Yusoff Hj Ismail has become the Deputy Minister of Education.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Dato Paduka Hj Ali Apong has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Development.
Former Deputy Permanent Secretary Pg Hj Bahrom Pg Hj Bahar now assumes the post of Deputy Minister of Development.
Former Royal Brunei Armed Forces Commander and recently Brunei's High Commissioner to Malaysia Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Halbi Hj Md Yusof is now the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs.
Datin Hjh Adina Othman, the former Director of Community Development Department, becomes the first woman deputy minister, assuming her new post at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
His Majesty said that these appointments were effective as of yesterday and the officials would serve their new posts for a period of five years.
The monarch also announced that the posts of State Mufti and Attorney General, also as of yesterday, are now considered ministerial ranks.
Former Minister of Energy Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud, former Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerja Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Mohd Zain Hj Serudin, former Minister of Education Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Rahman Dato Setia Hj Mohamed Taib and former Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat were not re-appointed. His Majesty thanked them for their service and contributions.
The Brunei Times
07 February, 2010
Excellent Exam Results
Starting from PSR, whereby Syiqeen excelled with 5A to become one of the only 2 pupils in Pertama School to get this excellent result. Then, it was followed by Zureen who succeed in getting the express mode of SPN21 education with 2 years in lower secondary and 2 years in upper secondary. Another excellent result was again secured by Zureen, who beated her brother personal best of aggregate 6 in SSSRU when she got aggregate 5, the minimum one could get in this exam.
Last Friday, 5/2/2010 the A, AS and O levels results were released. Congratulations to Alai Iqah, Fatin and Hamiz who excelled in their O level exams.
Wish you all the best of education to become the future leaders of Brunei. Amin.
25 January, 2010
Wonderful Weekend
Took a day leave on Friday and went to the border to pay for my Astro. At the same time, I managed to open up an account with one of the banks there.
On Saturday morning, I received a text from a friend inviting for breakfast at Restaurant Puteh, which I gladly accepted. Spent the morning until 11.00am at the restaurant.
On Sunday morning, went to the informal or santai gathering at Aminah Arif restaurant with the Gangs. We discussed and talked about a lot of subjects including tshirt designs and eventually stayed there until about 1pm...
At 8.00pm, I received another invitation from Dr Sunarto for another different presentation...
Today, went to the border again for a business trip. Took the opportunity to activate my internet banking facility.
Hope everythings goes well and I like the motto of Together we achieve great success. Amin...
09 January, 2010
January 2010
It has been 9 days into the new year 2010.
The inaugural family gathering was held on 1st Jan 2010 at Sg Tilong. The day was filled with lots of fun and foods. The kids really enjoyed the Train-theme bouncer. There were plenty of food to go round the whole day. The grand finale was the significant cutting of birthday cakes by 8 members of the family who celebrated their birthdays in the month of December. A similar event will be planned next year.
Last week, I also made contact with my first-cousins in Kota Kinabalu and Labuan via Facebook. This was followed by lengthy online chit-chat via Yahoo Messenger. It was really a pleasant surprise to get in touch with them again. It truly shows that Internet does not have any boundaries, and we could feel our closeness again. Thank to Allah for this wonderful gift. Now, we can keep in touch of each other activities.
Yesterday, we also welcome 13 new members of iDHL. Although I was unable to personally greet them one by one, I hope to meet up with everyone soon. Wish them good luck and greater success.
On the same token, I wish all success to all my families, colleagues and friends out there. Amin...
15 November, 2009
Penilaian Sekolah Rendah 2009
Alhamdulillah, I received the wonderful SMS news about the PSR result while having my lunch with a friend. Quickly, I forwarded the message to my wife, who conveyed the message to Syiqeen.
And the reply was: "Mana hadiah ku?" LoL...
Anyway, congratulations to everyone who passed the exam, especially Syiqeen, Babu Fiqah, ND, Nazwa, Fatin and the rest.
Now, we are anxiously waiting for the result of RAKIS programme. Wish her luck!
03 November, 2009
Al-Fatihah
The family would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of Allahyarham Haji Ranek bin Meludin, who passed away yesterday 2nd November 2009 @ around 6.30pm.
Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat keatas roh beliau. Amin.
Alfatihah...
11 July, 2009
Multiple Celebrations
The family of PHM organised a multiple-celebrations gathering on 27/6/2009 jointly organised by Pg Rosmawati and Pg Azman, with full support from the rest of the families.
There were lots of games and prizes won by members of the family. There were plenty of foods and drinks for the whole night. It was an enjoyable function and on behalf of the main organisers, I would like to thank the families for their moral supports and physical presence at the event.
Another similar event might be organised in October.
30 May, 2009
Meeting Good Friends Again
We finally met up with Mr and Mrs Kumar on 23rd May 2009, when they came over for a brief farewell visit to Brunei. We knew they have been extremely busy meeting a lot of friends and ex-colleagues for the past 3 days. We were quite happy when they accepted our offer to meet up for lunch.
After lunch, I drove them to Brunei International Airport. Their flight to Kuala Lumpur was around 8.30pm.
While at the airport, Mr Kumar met another friend. Mr Alen offered to bring us to the Airport Restaurant, which we gladly accepted. We spent almost 2 hours at the restaurant. I learned a lot of things about Brunei from these two gentlemen. Different views give different perspectives of Brunei. Something we don't learn from books.
My wife and Mrs Jai Kumar spent their good times in another separate table next to us.
Time flies so fast and it was time for our guests to check-in. We took some photos before leaving the restaurant.
After working in Brunei for more than 30 years, both of them left Brunei in September last year to live a retired life in Kuala Lumpur. Good luck to both of you. Enjoy your time visiting all the nice places of the world and keep in touch wherever you are. Send us postcards when you travels. We will meet up again some other times.
In the meantime, we are also eagerly waiting for the arrival of our son next week. He will be coming home for the summer holiday.
26 May, 2009
Tasha's Birthday Celebration
The family attended a birthday celebration for Alai Tasha at Serikandi Cafe and Restaurant in Kiulap on 17th May 2009. She is 4 years old and will be a big sister soon.
18 April, 2009
Annual Oratory Competition
The annual National Oratory Competition was held on Wednesday, 15th April 2009. I have decided to post an entry on this competition because of the extensive involvements of Sekolah Menengah Muda Hashim. The participants from the school have been selected to proceed to the Final stages for the past 3 consecutive years, which is quite an achievement.
In this post, I am going to extract some of the articles from The Brunei Times and Borneo Bulletin, which will served as a note to us in case the original articles from BT and BB go to archive.
Here it goes...
The 3rd Information Department and BELTA Oratory Competition 2009 was held yesterday at the Dewan Raya RTB in the capital.[Source: Borneo Bulletin]
EIGHT upper secondary students were able to inform, entertain and persuade an audience yesterday through public speaking during the finals of an oratory competition held at Radio Television Brunei (RTB) headquarters. [Source: The Brunei Times]
During the qualifying rounds, 31 government and non-government schools battled it out at the Information Department.
At the competition, students voiced out their thoughts and opinions based on the themes stated, which included nationalism, youth development and Brunei's life.
Out of the 31 schools, eight schools made it to the finals, namely Menglait Secondary School, Muda Hashim Secondary School, Sayyidina Ali Secondary School, Chung Ching Middle School, Chung Hua Middle School, KB, Chung Hwa Middle School, BSB, Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Secondary School and St James' School. [Source: Borneo Bulletin]
The oratory competition was organised by the Information Department and the Brunei English Language Teachers' Association (BELTA) for the third time in conjunction with the country's National Day Silver Jubilee celebrations, as part of an annual event. [Source: The Brunei Times]
The guest of honour was the Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Awang Hj Hamdillah Hj Abd Wahab. Also present at the event were the Director of the Information Department, Dr Muhammad Hadi Muhammad Melayong and the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam, Dato Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari. [Source: Borneo Bulletin]
Themed "Stand up and Speak out", the upper secondary students were able to expose an audience of younger students to the conventions of public speaking.
In his opening remarks, Director of Information Dr Muhd Hadi Muhd Melayong said: "I am pleased to mention that the competition continues to grow in strength each year." He added that there has definitely been visible improvements in the students' performances, as seen during the earlier rounds. [Source: The Brunei Times]
The champion of this year's competition was Louisa Lo Mei Hwa from Chung Hwa Middle School, BSB with the topic 'National honour is national property of the greatest value'. She walked away with the Champion Trophy donated by the Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Hj Mohamed Taib, book prizes, a cash prize and a certificate of participation sponsored by MacMillan Publishers UK. [Source: Borneo Bulletin]
"I am so surprised that I won because this was definitely unexpected. I only had less than a week to prepare for the finals," she said to The Brunei Times. [Source: The Brunei Times]
"I was motivated to enter the competition by my English teacher and have been practising hard for the competition with my coach, Christine Sullovan. My family, teachers and friends have been a great support to me during my journey to the finals.
"I think the oratory competition is very important as it helps in public speaking and boosts one's confidence. For those who wish to enter these kinds of public speaking competitions, I would like to say go for it and practise a lot, get your pronunciations right and do your best." [Source: Borneo Bulletin]
Speaking on the importance of participating in an oratory competition, the winner said that it is really important as it helps students portray their public speaking skills which will help in boosting their confidence. [Source: The Brunei Times]
Coming in second was Dayang Nur Syazana Hj Awg Md Fauzi from St James' School with the topic, 'The Importance of wisdom and maturity in the lives of youths today', followed by Dayang Nuraini Abd Zabar from Chung Hua Middle School, KB in third place with the topic, 'How Brunei youths can help eradicate the culture of wastage'. [Source: Borneo Bulletin]
"Oratory competitions are really important today to showcase and build up public speaking skills. However, youths in the country are very much shy natured and therefore, by speaking at these competitions, we can inspire them to overcome their shyness," said Nur Syazana.
She added: "We should encourage them by saying it's alright to speak in front of people and hopefully someday, they will be able to follow our footsteps."
Both winners received $150 and $100 respectively, as well as a certificate of participation and books for their schools. Louisa Lo took home the prestigious Pehin Abd Rahman Taib Trophy for winning the competition. [Source: The Brunei Times]
This year's competition also saw the presentations of two invited orators from Malaysia, Andrew Ghanananthan and Norliza Md Yamin. They are part of a Malaysian delegation comprising two observers and an accompanying officer.
They are in the country under the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Information between the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the government of Malaysia.
Among the objectives of the competition are to instil in the young generation, particularly the students, a sense of love for the Sultan, race, religion and nation through oratory or public speaking, to serve as a platform for students to be able to speak before an audience and to expose an audience of younger students to the conventions of public speaking.
It is the hope of the organisers of the competition that these groups of students will take the experience and what they have learned and apply it accordingly in their future endeavours. [Source: Borneo Bulletin]
On hand to present the prizes to the winners was Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj Abd Wahab.
He said: "The urgency shown by the Department of Information and Belta in turning such a simple but challenging idea into reality with the basic ambition to provide yet another platform for our young generations has reflected the burning desires and seriousness of all parties concerned."
He added: "I encourage students to build up trust, confidence and comfort to stand up, speak out and speak out with passion." [Source: The Brunei Times]
Below are the original links to the national newspaper, with some photos.
Link to The Brunei Times article
15 April, 2009
Creative Design 1
Today, I am going to share the creative design created by Syiqeen during the first term school holiday.
and, this is a close up photo of the mask. Check out the ribbon...
Check out again later for more creative design
12 April, 2009
Pameran Adat Istiadat Diraja Brunei
The exhibition was held at International Convention Centre Berakas. We made a stop there last week, just to check out what the exhibition was all about.
The exhibition was held in conjunction with the launching of a special book on Royal Ceremonies titled "Adat Istiadat Diraja Brunei Cerucuk Identiti Brunei". The objectives of the exhibition were to give an exposure and understanding of the Royal Ceremonies with the intention to inculcate deep respect and love to the Sultan and the country.
Unfortunately, the book was sold out on the 2nd day of the exhibition. I made a reservation and they promised to give us a call. I am still waiting if they will ever call.
11 April, 2009
A Special Thank
Photos taken on 9th April 2009. Thank you everyone for the greetings. Thank you to my family for a wonderful dinner. No words can describe how much they meant to me.
I love the food...
Lastly, this photo was taken when we were back home.
10 April, 2009
I Am Thankful
It was supposed to be a quiet day. Something which would just come and go quickly... True enough, Thursday came and I was busy with quite a number of meetings for the whole day. In fact, I spend about 7 hours in various meeting rooms on that day.
I received a number of birthday greetings from various sources throughout the day. Despite a busy day, I managed to spend some spare time to reply and respond to some of their greetings. Thank you everyone. May Allah bless all of you too.
In the evening, we had a quiet dinner, eating out at one of our regular restaurants. The food was excellent, perfect for the whole family. *Nanti tah post photos* Back at home, we continue with cutting of birthday cakes.
Friday was another busy day at the office because one of my staff had an MC. I have to take care of something important and urgent, which need my attention. After making a few phone calls to KL, I decided that the problem has to wait until Monday. Escalating the problem to USA was not possible because of our time difference. I was also told that today is Good Friday, which probably means most of US companies are already on long weekend.
Back to the birthday greetings, I continued to receive more greetings today.
As if my staff were not satisfied with their greetings, they also planned a surprise birthday cake. Late in the morning, while I was busy searching for phone numbers, I heard someone coming to my desk. I saw one of my staff holding a cake and all of sudden there was a whole group of friends and colleagues singing the birthday song. Haha... how embarrassing!...
Anyway, I am thankful and grateful to Allah for giving me a good family, a bunch of good friends and colleagues, the meaningful health I had now which reminded me of how ageing my body is.
I wished my family, friends and colleagues will continue to have good health and wealth. May Allah bless you all. Amin!
05 April, 2009
Brawn GP Mercedes won AGAIN
Let me write on Formula 1 again this time around because it seemed this could be a surprising year for Formula 1.
Another pleasant surprise by Jenson Button this year on his Brawn GP Mercedes. He won at Sepang Circuit, Malaysia on 5th April 2009, his 2nd win on the 2nd race of the season.
The race, itself, was very dramatic due to weather changes. Visibility was zero when the rain fell heavily. It was eventually stopped after lap 31 upon requests from the drivers.
Full reports on the Malaysian race here ...
31 March, 2009
Brawn GP Mercedes
The first Formula 1 race for 2009 started in Australia last Sunday. Surprisingly it was won by Brawn GP Mercedes, a team which has just been formed and made its first appearance in Australia.
No photo here. If you need more information, click on my sidebar.
Thank you.
23 March, 2009
The Health Promotion Centre
Just a quick post. The "easter" school holiday or known in Brunei as the "First term" holiday has just started. As one of the activities of KNK, the family made a visit to the Health Promotion Centre at Jalan Commonwealth, Berakas.
It was really fun and enjoyable. We managed to spent 2 and a half hours inside the centre because it closed the day at 4.30pm.
KNK = Kenali Negara Kitani = Know Your Country Better?
