A health product was tested and found by the Laboratory of Pharmacy Section, Department of Scientific Services, Ministry of Health (MoH) to be adulterated with undeclared, scheduled poisons, listed in the Poison Act, said the ministry in a press statement.
Tokki was found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil, used to treat male impotency and can only be prescribed by a qualified doctor or physician.
Nausea, vomiting, flushing and dizziness were among the side effects. In severe cases, it can also result in abnormal increase in heart rate, sudden loss of hearing and seizures.
The MoH has not issued any approval for the importation for the sale of the product and the product is not allowed to be imported and sold in the country. Members of the public who have purchased or used this product are advised to stop using the product immediately.
They should also consult a medical practitioner if they feel unwell or experience any undesirable reactions as a result of using them, the MoH said. – James Kon
The Industry and Business Ecosystem Division (IBE) through the Weights and Measures Unit (SDT) and Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (JPES) through the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) under the Ministry of Finance and Economy, in a joint operation at business premises in Kampong Bukit Panggal, Kampong Penanjong and Kampong Batang Buruk, Tutong District found several retail stores failed to display the net weight on packaged products such as vegetables, fruit, dry food and meats, as well as misleading weight marks as stated on the package.
SDT officers also shared proper packing and weighing procedures to the management and packing workers. During the operation, SDT officers found 11 units of weighing machines to be verified, accurate and registered in compliance to Chapter 151 of the Weights and Measures Act 1983 and Chapter 3 (1) and (2) of the Weights and Measures (Verification) Regulations, 1994.
Meanwhile, JPES found that five business premises adhered to Chapter 142 of the Price Control Act, where price-controlled items such as cooking oil and formula powdered milk, were not sold above the maximum price and prices were clearly displayed. – James Kon
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday for the modernisation of professional military education (PME) in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the establishment of the Faculty of Military Studies between the Ministry of Defence (MinDef) and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). Commander of the RBAF Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan was the guest of honour at the signing ceremony at Defence Academy (DA) RBAF.
Commandant of DA RBAF Colonel Pengiran Sharifuddin bin Pengiran Haji Yusof signed on behalf of MinDef while UBD was represented by UBD Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Education) Associate Professor Pengiran Dr Mohammad Iskandar bin Pengiran Haji Petra.
UBD Director of the Institute of Policy Studies Dr Mahani binti Haji Hamdan said the MoU marks a new chapter with several milestones including the establishment of a new Faculty of Military Studies, new collaborations in war studies and military capability as well as the launch of two new academic programmes – Bachelor of Defence and Security Studies and Master of Defence and Security Studies.
Dr Mahani said the bachelor’s degree will be part of lifelong learning and covers professional military training from Officer Cadet School (OCS) to Intermediate Staff Course (ISC). She added that the Master’s degree will be a rigorous one-year full-time programme for those completing Command and Staff Course (CSC). “Our curricula will not only meet the training objectives of CSC but also align with PME standards,” she said.
Permanent Secretary at the MinDef Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Alirupendi bin Haji Perudin and UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle were present at the ceremony. – James Kon
ABOVE & BELOW: Commandant of Defence Academy Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Colonel Pengiran Sharifuddin bin Pengiran Haji Yusof and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Education) Associate Professor Pengiran Dr Mohammad Iskandar bin Pengiran Haji Petra sign and exchange the memorandum of understanding as Commander of the RBAF Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan looks on. PHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KONABOVE & BELOW: Attendees at the signing ceremony; and UBD Director of the Institute of Policy Studies Dr Mahani binti Haji Hamdan. PHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KON
Institution of Surveyors, Engineers and Architects (PUJA) Academy Sdn Bhd conducted a two-day seminar on ‘Foundation Design and Construction to EN1997’ recently.
The course was conducted by Institute of Engineers Malaysia representative Ir Tu Yong Eng.
Tu delivered an in-depth explanation of Eurocode EN1997 as well as cover essential standards such as EN 1990, EN 1991, EN 1992, and EN 1993. The seminar provided insights into the integration of Eurocodes into foundation design, offering practical guidance for buildings and civil engineering projects.
The seminar is a continuation of the previous session on ‘Reinforced Concrete Design to Eurocodes 1992-1-1’. It is part of a series of courses for upskilling and training of designers and practitioners on Eurocodes.
Course participants included PUJA Brunei members and representatives from the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
Ir Tu Yong Eng facilitating the seminar. PHOTO: PUJA BRUNEI
Two Timor-Leste students – Natalino De Jesus, 18, and Atanacio Afonso, 25 – arrived in Brunei Darussalam yesterday morning to further their studies in the Sultanate thanks to scholarships by Daikyo Industrial Gas and Equipment Unippesoal Lda.
De Jesus said he is happy to be in Brunei to further his studies. “We are thankful to Daikyo Industrial Gas and Equipment to build our skills in hospitality. This is a rare opportunity and we will do our best in our studies,” he said.
Afonso said it is his first time in Brunei and is excited to be in the Sultanate to study hospitality. “We treasure this opportunity thanks to scholarships by Daikyo Industrial Gas and Equipment,” he said.
Spouse of Timor-Leste Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Ana Guterres, Daikyo Industrial Gas Sdn Bhd Managing Director Hung Ah Hing and spouse as well as Laksamana College of Business (LCB) and Daikyo Industrial Gas officials welcomed the students at the Brunei International Airport.
The students will be taking BTEC International Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality at LCB. Their course, accommodation and allowance are fully paid by Daikyo Industrial Gas and Equipment in Timor-Leste. The students were selected by Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Higher Education and Science after a selection process of examinations and interviews. The scholarship was a result of the memorandum of understanding signed on May 21 between the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and Daikyo Industrial Gas and Equipment. De Jesus and Afonso will begin studying on September 2 with their course scheduled to be completed by February 28, 2026. – James Kon
Natalino De Jesus and Atanacio Afonso with spouse of Timor-Leste Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Ana Guterres, Daikyo Industrial Gas Sdn Bhd Managing Director Hung Ah Hing and spouse in a group photo. PHOTO: JAMES KON
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah reflected on the significant strides that have been made in building a robust and lasting relationship between ASEAN and Australia, and resulting in positive results, benefiting not only for the two countries but also the broader regional community during a Sunset Santai reception yesterday.
“Australia remains an important trading partner for Brunei and the economic relations have continued to develop over the years. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the total trade between Brunei and Australia had doubled, mostly due to the exportation of crude oil, fertiliser and seafood to Australia,” said the minister.
“In 2021, the total trade was BND2.44 billion; BND4.04 billion in 2022 and BND3.17 billion last year with Australian produce, especially dairy and farm products are very popular in Brunei as well as a continued local demand for quality meat products where almost all of the country’s lamb and mutton imports are from Australia hence Brunei continues to welcome Australian investments in its diversification efforts,” he added.
“As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations this year, our cooperation has evolved to cover a wide range of sectors across the three ASEAN community pillars.
“As one of ASEAN’s largest trade and investment partners, Australia has played a pivotal role in ASEAN’s economic development and growth as showcased through frameworks such as the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership,” the minister said.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah with Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Luke Arnold and visiting Australian Ambassador to ASEAN Tiffany McDonald in a group photo. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMADThe attendees at the event. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD
He added that last year, the total two-way trade between ASEAN and Australia reached USD94.4 billion while foreign direct investment flow from Australia to ASEAN amounted to USD1.61 billion.
Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Luke Arnold in his welcome remarks also highlighted the strong bilateral relationships, and noted that Brunei’s deep commitment to ASEAN has made his work easier in working together to advance Brunei-Australia cooperation with ASEAN.
“Brunei really did go the extra mile to help Australia establish that strategic partnership with ASEAN. We really appreciate that advocacy. The comprehensive strategic partnership is actually delivering real outcomes for Australia, ASEAN and the Asian region,” said the high commissioner.
Meanwhile, visiting Australian Ambassador to ASEAN Tiffany McDonald in her speech noted that she is impressed by the depth of engagement that Australia has with Brunei and across the three years she was in the Sultanate.
She was able to see it continue to grow and go from strength to strength across a range of issues.
“The bilateral relationship and the strength of the bilateral relationship that we had such a strong partnership with ASEAN and so it is important to me that the relationship between Australia and Brunei continue to grow from strength to strength,” said McDonald.
The event was hosted by the high commissioner with visiting Australian Ambassador to ASEAN at his residence in Jalan Kampong Kianggeh. – Lyna Mohamad
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman yesterday received the President of Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser to explore areas of cooperation between the Sultanate and IsDB, strengthen strategic sharing and enhances ties.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) Haji Mohammad Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) at the MoRA Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Religious) Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh and Acting Director of Zakat, Waqaf and Baitul mal Management Department Pengiran Dr Haji Amiruddin bin Pengiran Haji Damit were also present. – Azlan Othman
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman with President of Islamic Development Bank Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser in a group photo. PHOTO: AZLAN OTHMAN
Some 49 retirees from the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) as well as departments under it received recognition of their loyal service in a ceremony at the theatre hall of the ministry yesterday.
Among the objective of the ceremony serves to acknowledge and show gratitude for the dedication and services rendered by the retired officers and staff to the MoFE.
The ceremony, organised by the Division of Human Resource Development and Corporate Affairs under the ministry, aimed at fostering closer ties among retired officers and staff with the current service personnel.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, the guest of honour, presented mementos to the retirees.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Economy) Dato Seri Paduka Haji Khairuddin bin Haji Abdul Hamid, Managing Director of Brunei Darussalam Central Bank as well as heads of departments, officers and staff of the ministry were among the attendees. – James Kon
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah with the retirees in a group photo. PHOTO: JAMES KONABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the minister presenting mementos to the retirees. PHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KONThe attendees during the event. PHOTO: JAMES KON
Senior citizen and cycling enthusiast Haji Abdul Rahman bin Safar led a group of seven local folding bicycle enthusiasts in a cross-border cycling training session to the neighbouring town of Limbang, Sarawak, Malaysia recently.
The journey began at Kampong Limau Manis Mosque and continued through the Kuala Lurah Immigration Post, before crossing into Sarawak at the Tedungan Immigration Post in Limbang. – Fadley Faisal
ABOVE & BELOW: The cyclists during the journey; and in a group photo
Some 222 Year 8 and 9 students from Sultan Sharif Ali Secondary School participated in an ASEAN awareness roadshow at the school’s premises yesterday.
The roadshow was part of ongoing efforts by the Information Department at the Prime Minister’s Office, through the International Affairs Desk at the Corporate Relations Unit, Media and Corporate Communication Division, serving as the Secretariat for the ASEAN-COCI Sub-Committee on Information (SCI).
Head of the International Affairs Desk, Corporate Relations Unit, Media and Corporate Communications Division of the Information Department Eddy Iswandy bin Haji Ismail delivered the briefing, where he emphasised on the importance of raising awareness among students on being part of the ASEAN community, in line with ASEAN’s motto ‘One Vision, One Identity, One Community’.
Students also had the opportunity to participate in an ASEAN awareness quiz session.
The roadshow aimed to provide extensive exposure and basic information about ASEAN to secondary school students across the country as part of the ongoing efforts by the Information Department.
School Principal Hajah Noor Zinatul Ashiqin binti Haji Ibrahim and the school’s teaching staff were present.
The roadshow in progress. PHOTO: INFORMATION DEPARTMENTPhotos above and below show students during the roadshow. PHOTO: INFORMATION DEPARTMENTPHOTO: INFORMATION DEPARTMENTPHOTO: INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
