James Kon
As Brunei Darussalam eases into its post-pandemic chapter following the disruptions caused by COVID-19, InfoCom Federation Brunei (IFB) reminded members of the federation’s responsibility in strengthening Brunei’s ICT landscape against unprecedented challenges.
Speaking at the IFB Networking and Charity Dinner 2022 yesterday, IFB President Haji Mohd Radziman bin Haji Abdul Rahman reminded Brunei’s ICT community that, “The pandemic demonstrated to us that we in the ICT community have a responsibility to build a more resilient future. It goes without saying that COVID-19 was a turning point in our development as a nation. As the leaders in digitisation, we must continue to discover ways to fortify our ICT eco-system in preparation for another life-altering disruption.”
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Infocommunications) at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) Haji Hairul Mohd Daud bin Haji Abdul Karim was the guest of honour, representing the Minister of Transport and Infocommunications.
Attendees included senior members of Brunei’s ICT and non-ICT community ranging from CEOs as well as managing directors with 10 tech-startups that were given the opportunity to connect with IFB members to provide opportunities for growth and development.
In recalling the challenges over the past two years caused by the coronavirus, Haji Mohd Radziman also highlighted the ICT community’s dedication that minimised the day-to-day impact caused by the pandemic.
Haji Mohd Radziman applauded the ICT community for their work, describing them as “unsung heroes”. As frontliners during the pandemic, the ICT community also actively ensured that the support was available for Bruneians as the nation transitioned online. It was during this time, he pointed, that an upsurge of innovation took place that required Internet connectivity and tools to access essential services such as education, employment, finances as well as maintaining social interactions that resulted in a wider adoption of technology in the country such as cashless transactions, QR code scanning and online schooling and work.
Apart from manning the ICT frontlines, IFB chair Pengiran Sarimah binti Pengiran Haji Abdul Latif also highlighted that IFB members supported His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Government’s drive for digital inclusivity by donating laptops, peripherals as well as data to underprivileged students in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
The year 2022 thus far, she shared, has marked several significant events and activities related to ICT co-organised by IFB, including the Digital Week with the MTIC, the Brunei ICT Awards (BICTA) ceremony as well as the second BICTA Alumni gathering at the International Convention Centre. In the coming months, IFB will also organise community events and other engagements to benefit IFB members as well as Bruneians in general.
The event also saw the presentation of BND3,000 donations to the Children’s Cancer Foundation (YASKA) and Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, as well as certificates of appreciation to former IFB presidents Pengiran Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Kamaluddin, Abdul Ghani bin Pengiran Haji Metusin @ Pengiran Haji Abdul Ghani and Sheikh Haji Abas bin Sheikh Haji Mohamad.
