ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show winners of the Spelling Bee competition at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Secondary School in Tutong District. PHOTO: SM RIPAS
For Year 9 and 10 students, Ellysa Hana binti Mikal won top place ahead of Nurbazilah Syasya binti Norhamdi in second place and Muhd Nabil Irfan bin Mohd Pezaili in third place during the Spelling Bee competition at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Secondary School in Tutong District.
Meanwhile, for Year 7 and 8 students, Muhd Aqiel Nabih bin Rosdy Irwandy won top place, followed by Muhd Haikal Syazani bin Norhamdi in second place and Elesyl Fermin Sylvester in third place.
The winners were feted with prizes and certificates during a ceremony at the school yesterday. The inter-class competition is one of the year-end activities of the school and is open to all levels from Year 7 to 10.
Organised by the school’s English Department, 30 participants from Year 7 and Year 8 participated, while 45 from Year 9 and 10 joined. – Fadhil Yunus
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show winners of the Spelling Bee competition at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Secondary School in Tutong District. PHOTO: SM RIPASPHOTO: SM RIPAS
Students during the L6 End of Year Exam Academic Awards Ceremony. PHOTO: PTET
The Tutong Sixth Form Centre (PTET) celebrated its L6 End of Year Exam Academic Awards Ceremony to honour the outstanding achievements of its students recently.
The ceremony awarded students achieving grade ‘A/A*’ in three subjects and above, as well as excellent students achieving 300 tariff points and above.
Nur Syafirah binti Muhammad Mukhlis bagged awards in both categories with 360 tariff points, the most tariff points obtained in the exam. She scored grades ‘A’ in Mathematics, Physics and Biology.
Meanwhile, Mirza Hafizin bin Michael, Kenny Hwong Peng Xiong, Nur Fafhiha Azura binti Bujang obtained 340 tariff points. Nur Amiira Azzyati binti Rosman, Muhammad Rawiy Asyhar bin Almasri, Batrisyia binti Suhaini, Muhammad Asnawi bin Sari, Nur Siti ‘Aisyah binti Haji Omar Dani achieved 320 tariff points. Students with 300 tariff points were Siti Nurrabiatul Adalia@Nurrabiatul Hana Nabila binti Rusmikan, Muhammad Arif Safwan bin Muhammad Nurruzaini and Muhammad Syazwan bin Azlan.
The event also featured awards given for Excellence in Subjects, Most Improved in PrivGL Programme 2024, Motivational Awards from Subject Tutors, awards for tutors achieving 85 per cent and above whose students achieved grades ‘A’-‘E’ in the exam, and the presentation of certificates for students involved in activities outside of school such as PTET representatives in the 20th International School Brunei Borneo Global Issues Conference (ISB BGIC), participants in the GREENLIFE showcase during the 34th Teacher’s Day Celebration, participating in ‘Students in STEAM’ by the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership Centre, and the winner of the best video for BEST Week Programme by the Ministry of Education.
Three videos were projected during the event, namely, ‘Murder in the Library’, ‘Dunia Maya, Hati Nyata’, and ‘Cahaya Keinsafan’, all of which showed the students’ creativity and thinking skills. – James Kon
Students during the L6 End of Year Exam Academic Awards Ceremony. PHOTO: PTET
Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohammad Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim and High Commissioner of Australia to Brunei Darussalam Luke Arnold at the ceremony. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI
Six officers from the Ministry of Defence (MinDef) received the OBOE Endeavour Academic Excellence Award from the Australian Government in recognition of their outstanding results during the recently concluded 14th Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Command and Staff Course (CSC) 2024.
The ceremony was held yesterday at the Defence Academy Royal Brunei Armed Forces (DA RBAF), Kampong Tanah Jambu.
High Commissioner of Australia to Brunei Darussalam Luke Arnold was the guest of honour. Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohammad Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim as representative of Commander RBAF, acting service commanders, deputy permanent secretary at the MinDef; members of the Australian High Commission in Brunei Darussalam, directors, RBAF officers and recipients from 2018 to 2023 were also present.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and was followed with welcoming remarks from Commandant of DA RBAF Colonel Pengiran Sharifuddin bin Pengiran Haji Yusof.
He acknowledged the commitment from both Brunei Darussalam and Australia in upholding their long-standing relationship for over two decades in advancing ties through defence activities.
He also highlighted the award as an avenue to achieve shared goals as he extended congratulations to the recipients of the OBOE Endeavour Academic Excellence Award from the 14th RBAF CSC.
The commandant remarked on the historical significance of ‘OBOE’ as a shared history between the two countries, expressing gratitude to the Australian Government for its support in enhancing the course by recognising excellence.
The high commissioner congratulated the award recipients for their outstanding results and emphasised the increasing prestige of the OBOE Awards visit programme. He also highlighted that this partnership symbolises shared commitment and serves as a fundamental foundation for sustaining peace, stability and prosperity in the shared Indo-Pacific region, especially during this rapidly changing landscape and increasingly complex strategic challenges.
The high commissioner also expressed hope that participants seize this opportunity to not only gain insights and knowledge but also to involve themselves in the experience, build lasting friendships, and further strengthen the camaraderie with their Australian peers.
The high commissioner presented awards to Major (U) Haji Ilhamdi bin Haji Md Dali, Major (U) Dayangku Nurazriana binti Pengiran Hassanan, and Major (U) Mohd Adi Faiz bin Haji Abu Bakar, all from the RBAirF, along with Lieutenant Commander Muhamad Adib Izzuddin bin Haji Ramli and Lieutenant Commander Mohd Shahrul Idham bin Haji Bungsu from the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Mohammad Hazwan bin Mohammad Azani from DA RBAF.
The OBOE Endeavour Academic Excellence Award is an academic excellence programme from the Australian Government, awarded to CSC participants who have achieved outstanding results during the course.
The officers will be invited to Australia to meet senior military officers from the Australian Defence Force, touring selected Australian military bases, participate in educational and cultural activities, and engage in dialogues as well as discussions.
This year’s award recipients will leave for Australia from November 30 to December 5. The programme aims to educate officers about Australia, focusing on its Defence Force, regional security, and shared interests.
Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohammad Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim and High Commissioner of Australia to Brunei Darussalam Luke Arnold at the ceremony. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLIABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the high commissioner presents awards to the recipients. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLIPHOTO: RAFI ROSLI
Deputy Joint Force Commander Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Colonel Aldi bin Haji Hassan, United States (US) Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Caryn McClelland and Commanding Officer of the Marine Rotational Force Southeast Asia Colonel Stuart W Glenn at the event. PHOTO: JAMES KON
The 30th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the United States Navy (USN) concluded yesterday with a closing ceremony at Wira Seni Concert Hall, RBAF Band Building, Bolkiah Garrison.
Deputy Joint Force Commander RBAF Colonel Aldi bin Haji Hassan and Commanding Officer of the Marine Rotational Force Southeast Asia Colonel Stuart W Glenn delivered closing addresses. United States (US) Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Caryn McClelland, along with participants from both nations, were also in attendance.
Colonel Aldi emphasised the importance of bilateral ties between Brunei Darussalam and the US, highlighting CARAT’s role in enhancing regional stability and security through strengthened interoperability and professional collaboration.
He also underlined the relevance of the Brunei Defence White Paper 2021 and Brunei Vision 2035, aligning CARAT’s objectives with the nation’s strategic goals of fostering regional partnerships and contributing to regional security.
Meanwhile, Colonel Glenn highlighted the importance of the CARAT exercise as a platform for meaningful interaction, knowledge exchange, and mutual learning, which bolster the partnership between the two armed forces. He said the partnership, built on mutual respect, shared understanding, and common interests, is rooted in the collective pursuit of peace.
The CARAT exercise featured a range of activities, including Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), operational training, and community engagement programmes. The initiatives aimed to enhance cooperation, build professional skills and strengthen ties among participants, while also benefiting the community.
The successful completion of the CARAT exercise reflects the shared commitment of the RBAF and USN to advancing maritime security and promoting regional stability. – James Kon
Deputy Joint Force Commander Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Colonel Aldi bin Haji Hassan, United States (US) Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Caryn McClelland and Commanding Officer of the Marine Rotational Force Southeast Asia Colonel Stuart W Glenn at the event. PHOTO: JAMES KONABOVE & BELOW: The exchange of memento between Deputy Joint Force Commander RBAF Colonel Aldi and Colonel Stuart W Glenn; and US Navy personnel at the event. PHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KON
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show enforcement officers during the operation. PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR
The Department of Labour’s Law Enforcement Division conducted ‘Operasi Siaga 259/2024’ on November 18 to enforce and ensure compliance with the Employment Order, 2009.
Inspections in Kampong Jaya Setia and Kampong Mentiri saw five violations under the Employment Order, 2009 affecting both local and foreign workers.
The violations included the failure to pay overtime wages under Section 39(2), not providing written employment contracts under Section 10, unauthorised salary deductions under Section 44, not granting gazetted public holidays under Section 70, and the failure to provide annual leave under Section 71.
Employers found guilty of breaching the Employment Order, 2009 may face compound fines of up to BND1,000 for each offence.
The failure to settle these fines could lead to prosecution.
The Department of Labour reminded employers to uphold employee welfare in accordance with the Employment Order, 2009, including timely payment of overtime wages, granting annual leave after three months of employment, and ensuring proper employment contracts are provided. – Fadley Faisal
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show enforcement officers during the operation. PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF LABOURPHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR
The Blood Donation Centre at the Department of Laboratory Services will hold several blood donation campaigns this week to boost the national blood supply.
Blood donation campaigns will be held at Atria Simpur Hall of the Public Works Department’s main headquarters today from 9am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 3pm; while tomorrow, Universiti Brunei Darussalam will host a blood donation campaign at The Core from 9am to 3pm.
SCR Express will hold a blood donation campaign at the Citis Square’s Lobby, Berakas on November 30 from 9am to 2pm.
Meanwhile, the last campaign for the week will be held at the Foochow Association at Jalan Bunga Raya in Kuala Belait, by the association and the blood bank of Suri Seri Begawan Hospital on December 1 from 9am to 2pm.
The public can also donate blood directly at the Blood Donation Centre at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital during working hours from 8am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 4pm. Donors are encouraged to book their donation slots through the Bloodkad app. – Daniel Lim
Abang Huzairie Abang Ali receives his prize.
PHOTO: BRUNEI SQUASH RACKETS ASSOCIATION
Abang Huzairie Abang Ali did the country proud after winning the Squash57 category of the 4th Best of the Best Squash Championship 2024 at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
The winner cruised to a 2-0 win (11-4, 11-4) against Sabah’s Aniq Azhar in the final match.
Meanwhile, in the main event men’s premier category, Brunei’s Lim Kok Sheng secured sixth place after losing to Aaron Sebastion from Sarawak.
Brunei was represented by Lim Kok Sheng, Md Fauzi Zaini, Abang Huzairie, Asmad Umar, Haji Abdul Mateen, Md Nurerdy, Pengiran Khairul Amin, Choo Cheok Wah and Neville Blackie.
Denise Foo and Abdul Qawi bin Haji Abdul Mateen participated in the junior division under-15.
Some 100 squash players from Brunei, England, Indonesia and Malaysia participated. – James Kon
Abang Huzairie Abang Ali receives his prize. PHOTO: BRUNEI SQUASH RACKETS ASSOCIATION
ABOVE & BELOW: The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of China in Brunei Darussalam Wang Haitao with Chairman of the Hainan Association Kuala Belait Raymond Hong during the cake-cutting ceremony; and an elderly member receives a gift from the association. PHOTO: DANIEL LIM
Over 450 members, along with friends and families from across Belait District and beyond, gathered at Pusat Insani, Seria on November 23 to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Hainan Association Kuala Belait.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of China in Brunei Darussalam Wang Haitao, attended the celebration as the guest of honour.
He was welcomed by Chairman of the Hainan Association Kuala Belait Raymond Hong along with special guests from regional Hainan Associations and supporters. In his opening speech, Raymond highlighted the significance of the association’s 85th anniversary, stating, “Time flies, and looking back, we have faced many challenges over the years.”
He also recalled the completion of the association’s eight-storey building in Kuala Belait, a key milestone in recent years.
Wang Haitao expressed his admiration for the association’s rich history, praising its role in providing a space for its members to gather, celebrate their culture, and engage with the wider Belait community.
Raymond emphasised that the celebration was not only to mark the association’s anniversary but also to honour the elderly members.
A ribbon and cake-cutting ceremony was held, followed by the presentation of a token of appreciation to the guest of honour.
The association also exchanged commemorative tokens with invited groups from within Brunei, Sabah, and Sarawak.
The evening featured long service awards presented to committee members as well as gifts for some of the association’s oldest members.
Performances and lucky draws were also part of the celebration, accompanied by dinner. – Daniel Lim
ABOVE & BELOW: The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of China in Brunei Darussalam Wang Haitao with Chairman of the Hainan Association Kuala Belait Raymond Hong during the cake-cutting ceremony; and an elderly member receives a gift from the association. PHOTO: DANIEL LIMPHOTO: DANIEL LIM
Chainblock ‘A’ members with the prize.
PHOTO: BRUNEI DARUSSALAM TUG-OF-WAR ASSOCIATION
Brunei Darussalam’s Chainblock ‘A’ secured a third place finish in the men’s open 720-kilogramme (kg) category of the Limbang Open International Tug of War 2024 competition at the Limbang Field Stadium in Sarawak recently.
Blue Tiger PDRM emerged champions while second place went to Gerambeat ‘A’.
Meanwhile, Brunei’s MG 5 won the under-23 category.
Several Bruneian teams of tuggers competed in the tournament, including Chainblock ‘A’ Chainblock ‘B’, MS ABDB ‘A’, MS ABDB ‘B’, MS PPDB ‘A’, MS PPDB ‘B’, Haichi 88 ‘A’, Haichi 88 ‘B’, KB Bull, Chainblock Muaythai and LunTau.
A total of 52 teams from several countries participated. – James Kon
Chainblock ‘A’ members with the prize. PHOTO: BRUNEI DARUSSALAM TUG-OF-WAR ASSOCIATION
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show children during the performances. PHOTO: DIYANAH R
In conjunction with the celebration of World Down Awareness Syndrome Day 2024, the Ministry of Education through the Special Education Department organised the colouring, drawing and collage competition prize presentation ceremony for government primary schools nationwide at Lambak Kanan Primary School Multi-Purpose Hall yesterday.
Acting Director of Special Education Dr Haji Eddy Fazlin bin Haji Amdan in his welcoming speech said, “The ribbon shape found in the Down syndrome logo represents a symbol of awareness and support.
He said, “This shape is easily recognised as a symbol of advocacy and solidarity for individuals, families and organisations to show their support for Down syndrome awareness.
“The Down syndrome awareness ribbon also symbolises hope, participation and collective efforts to increase understanding, opportunity, and acceptance for individuals with Down syndrome.”
“It aims to attract interest and hone the visual arts skills of students including students with special needs through drawing, colouring and collage making activities.”
He added, “One of the functions of the Special Education Department is to provide quality inclusive education for students with special needs through programmes and services that support the academic, social, emotional and life skills development of students so that they are ready for the future and able to contribute to the development of society and country.”
The event also witnessed a sharing session concerning Down syndrome by Paediatric Consultant and Head of Child Development Centre Dr Hajah Mawarni binti Haji Abdul Hamid.
The competition attracted 308 entries from 59 government primary schools nationwide including 89 entries from the collage category for pre-school and Year 1; 99 entries in the colouring category for Year 2 and 3 pupils; and 120 entries in the drawing category for Year 4, 5 and 6 students.
The competition, held for the first time, celebrates the unique abilities of children with special needs, foster creativity and improve public awareness of their contribution in the educational and social fields.
Acting Director of Planning, Development and Research Department Hajah Anis Faudzulani binti Haji Dzulkiflee was the guest of honour. – Fadhil Yunus
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show children during the performances. PHOTO: DIYANAH RPHOTO: DIYANAH R
