Telco launches eSim technology

National

January 20, 2024

Progresif Sdn Bhd launched its eSIM technology yesterday, enhancing the overall telecommunications experience for customers.

According to Progresif, the introduction of the eSIM is a testament to the company’s pursuit of innovation and its focus on providing seamless and personalised solutions to customers.

eSIM technology or service is specifically designed for devices equipped with eSIM capabilities. The eSim technology enables customers to easily switch between mobile plans.

Progresif eSIM is now available for both new and existing subscribers across both Prepaid and Postpaid users. Existing subscribers will enjoy a complimentary six-month period to change to eSIM at no cost.

Following the promotional period, a BND10 fee will be applicable for existing customers who opt to switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM. Meanwhile, new customers will have the option to choose between eSIM and physical SIM Card at no additional cost.

With its streamlined eSIM activation process, switching will ensure customers a hassle-free and quick setup through their eSIM compatible device.

Progresif’s decision to introduce eSIM technology is rooted in its commitment to customer satisfaction. By embracing the latest advancements in telecommunications, Progresif aims to enhance the overall user experience and address the evolving needs of its customer base.

“We understand that our customers are at the heart of everything we do,” said Vice President of Product Development, Commercial and Innovation Abby Chu.

She also added, “The launch of eSIM reflects our dedication to providing innovative solutions that align with the preferences and lifestyles of our users.” – James Kon

NAVAID system at platform temporarily down

National

January 20, 2024

Mariners are urged to stay vigilant as the NAVAID navigation system is temporarily down at MLJ3 Platform, Brunei Darussalam waters, the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) said yesterday.

The system, which has been repaired, is currently being charged and is expected to take up to a week to complete.

The red strobe light, which helps with visibility, is usually used as a temporary measure for approaching vessels, especially during the night, is also unavailable.

As the platform is not visible after dark or during rough sea conditions, it is important for vessels to respect the extended inclusion zone of one kilometre from the platform, said MPABD.

Meanwhile, the Muara Coastal Signal Station, MPABD and Kuala Belait Radio Station will broadcast radio navigational warnings via Marine Radio VHF Channel 16.

Mariners, especially local fishermen, are advised to stay clear of vessels and their equipment. – Azlan Othman

Birthday meal turns into grand prize

National

January 20, 2024

Md Arif bin Haji Md Ridhuan receives his prize from Ayamku Manager Steven Chai, Soon Lee Manager John Liew, Kingston Business Development Manager Aelene Siang and Kingston Sales and Marketing Manager Kelvin Wong. PHOTO: JAMES KON

Md Arif bin Haji Md Ridhuan received the first prize of BND1,200 during the grand draw ceremony of Ayamku annual ‘Dine & Win’ yesterday.

Second place went to Jazman bin Nasri who took home BND800, while the BND500 third prize went to Latif bin Muhammad.

The three finalists competed in an Ayamku meal eating competition to determine the prizes.

“I was shocked, happy and grateful,” said Md Arif. “I bought the Ayamku meal on my birthday on December 5 and was entitled to the draw,” he added.

Ayamku Manager Steven Chai, Soon Lee Manager John Liew, Kingston Business Development Manager Aelene Siang and Kingston Sales and Marketing Manager Kelvin Wong presented the top three prizes.

Chai also presented the consolation prizes of BND50 Soon Lee cash vouchers to 10 diners. – James Kon

Increasing international TVET cooperation

National

January 20, 2024

ABOVE & BELOW: A group photo of delegates to the China-SEA Partnership Workshop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and Haji Mohammad Ja’afar during a courtesy call to Director of SEAMEO Technical Education Development (TED) Dr Songheang Ai. PHOTO: PB

A delegation from Politeknik Brunei (PB) recently attended the China-SEA Partnership Workshop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which aimed to strengthen international collaborative efforts in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The workshop was attended by senior officers and prominent figures in TVET from Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) member countries and China.

During the workshop, various institutions from participating nations presented and explored a broad range of topics, with emphasis on international collaboration, talent cultivation and the instrumental role of partnerships in career pathways and technical education.

The delegation from PB was led by its Acting Principal Haji Mohammad Ja’afar bin Haji Johari, who also delivered a presentation on the impacts of industry-integrated learning.

The presentation highlighted the transformative potential of partnerships with industries in TVET, as well as showcased good practices from PB.

On the sidelines of the event, Haji Mohammad Ja’afar made a courtsey call to Director of SEAMEO Technical Education Development (TED) Dr Songheang Ai.

The discussions focused on the integration of smart technologies for teaching and learning, management, research collaboration and the facilitation of people exchanges.

The delegation also attended networking sessions with representatives from Bina Insani University (BIU) Indonesia, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Singapore, Sultan Idris Education University Malaysia, and the Higher School of Information Management and Computer Science Cirebon Indonesia.

The delegation also paid working visits to the Institute of Technology of Cambodia and the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

Acting Principal of Politeknik Brunei Haji Mohammad Ja’afar bin Haji Johari during a presentation. PHOTO: PB

ASEAN parliamentarians discuss external engagement guidelines, digital law library

National

January 20, 2024

Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin with other ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly member country representatives in a group photo during the meeting. PHOTO: LEGCO

The Legislative Council (LegCo) recently attended a task force meeting to update guidelines for the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) engagement process with external parties.

The guidelines covered cooperation of AIPA with parliaments outside the ASEAN region that are AIPA observer countries, including cooperation with parliamentary organisations, non-governmental agencies and others.

The meeting also discussed coordination for the establishment of a digital library of laws of AIPA member states, proposed by Cambodia during the 43rd AIPA General Assembly in Phnom Penh in 2022. The library is expected to be launched in the middle of the year.

LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin attended the meeting as the LegCo’s representative. – Azlan Othman

TAP roadshow to highlight process of distributing late member’s savings to beneficiaries

National

January 20, 2024

A Employees Trust Fund (TAP) roadshow on the National Retirement Scheme (SPK) will be held at Supa Save Seria in the Belait District from January 23 to 25, 9am to 4pm.

The roadshow will share information on the process of naming an administrator to manage the administration of SPK members’ savings after they pass away.

The process will speed up the payment of their SPK savings to heirs and dependents.

Members are allowed to appoint no more than three nominee administrators consisting of their spouse, children (aged 18 and above), parents, siblings or lawyers/Syar’ie lawyers.

If SPK members wish to appoint nominee administrators during the roadshow, they must bring original supporting documents.

If the individual appointed is a spouse, the supporting document needed is a copy of the solemnisation certificate. If the individual is one of their children (aged 18 and above) or a sibling, a copy of the birth certificate is required.

If the individual is a registered adopted child, a copy of the adoption certificate is needed, and if a lawyer/Syar’ie lawyer is appointed, a copy of the agreement between the parties is required.

Members will receive clarification on the complete process and responsibilities borne by the administrator, who is responsible for receiving and administering the SPK savings of members who have passed according to Syara’ law or according to a will (if the deceased is not a Muslim) and not as single heir. – Rokiah Mahmud

Local shutterbugs pick up tips from gigapixel specialist

National

January 20, 2024

Canadian photographer Chris Collacott with local shutterbugs at the event. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD

Some 40 photography enthusiasts attended a digital photography workshop yesterday conducted by Canadian landscape photographer Chris Collacott.

The workshop, conducted at the Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas in the capital, had two sessions. The first was for amateur photographers and the second session was for veterans in the field.

Participants were shown how to make use of their smartphones and digital cameras to produce high quality and meaningful shots during the workshop.

Persons with disabilities also took part in the workshop.

Saifulizam and Rudolf were among the professional photographers in the second session.

“I’ve been a local photographer for over a decade, facing the challenges that come with it. Attending an advanced photography class recently had been crucial for my growth,” said Saifulizam.

“No question. he is on the top of his trade. I am sure the attendees learned something from the workshop. It was a brief but knowledgeable session,” said Rudolf.

A BIG SHOT FOR 40

Collacott, an award-winning photopgraher, is in the country to work on BN40, a gigapixel photography project to celebrate Brunei’s 40th National Day.

The BN40 project, co-founded by local entrepreneur Keeran Janin, will see hundreds of photos stiched together digitally to form a gigapixel photo that will commemorate Brunei’s 40th National Day celebrations.

The High Commission of Canada in Brunei Darussalam partially sponsored the participation of the Canadian photographer as part of celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Sultanate.

Canadian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Ambra Dickie said, “We are delighted to be involved in this project. Involving local photographers and persons with disabilities is one way the high commission can contribute to the BN40 project, reflecting the diversity and inclusion efforts prioritised by the High Commission in 2024.

“We hope that the participants have gained useful knowledge and confidence in taking shots by learning from Chris, a world professional photographer,” said the Canadian high commissioner.

She added, “It is not often we have Canadian artists like this in Brunei, so we really wanted to take advantage of that and give back to the community that is very supportive to the high commission and the work that we do here.” – Lyna Mohamad

Photos show Canadian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Ambra Dickie with workshop participants. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD

Door-to-door salesman’s pushy tactic raises concerns

Opinion

January 20, 2024

In the past month, my neighbourhood has seen a lot of door-to-door salesmen knocking on their doors.

Just the other day, my husband opened the door to a man who asked if we had a water filter and if he could take a look at it. Alarmed, he refused the request and left it as that.

However, from the window, we could see the salesman taking photos of the water pipe connected to our filter.

We immediately felt uncomfortable with the whole encounter. If he were a salesmen as he claimed, why was he so insistent on taking photos of our filter or the pipe? At one point, he was even too pushy, as though he had the authority to inspect our home.

Looking back, I wonder if the man was even a legit salesman. What if it was a cover to get inside and scout the homes of unsuspecting public members with plans to break in later on?

If the man was indeed a salesman, then his conduct should still be called into question.

Pushing to get inside someone’s home is not exactly what I would consider ethical. My husband had repeatedly told him that we had a water filter and that we were happy with it.

He should have left it at that. But instead, he kept trying to get through the door and take photos of our filter.

I hope this letter would be enough to alert the authorities on salesmen going around residential areas and harassing the dwellers.

On High Alert

At wit’s end over state of roads in Jalan Jerudong

Opinion

January 20, 2024

As residents of Simpang 201, Jalan Jerudong, we are at our wit’s end when it comes to the state of the roads.

We made a complaint to the authorities through our village head but the response was that it was the responsibility of the developer. So we approached the developer only for them to say that the project finished two years ago, so the roads is no longer their responsibility.

We feel like we have exhausted all possible channels while the roads continue to deteriorate. So such, we would like to call on the authorities – any authorities – to look into the matter. There are at least 70 households that use the roads daily, and the stress of dealing with the bad road condition is weighing us down.

Stressed & Frustrated

Instilling the spirit of nationhood

National

January 20, 2024

ABOVE & BELOW: A student receives a prize; and the briefing in progress. PHOTO: INFO DEPT

Twenty-three Year 7 students from St Angela’s School, Seria attended a nationhood briefing programmed titled ‘Our Monarch, Appreciating the National Flag and National Anthem of Brunei Darussalam’ on Thursday.

The programme, organised by the Information Department, aims to cultivate love towards the monarch and the nation as well as inspire solidarity and patriotism among the students.

Head of Information in Belait District Musa bin Mohidin delivered the talk, which included topics such as the monarch, procedures in hoisting the national flag and the history of Brunei’s national anthem Allah Peliharakan Sultan.

There were also video presentations on Kibarkanlah Dengan Megah Bendera Negara and an animated clip on Tatacara Menaikkan Bendera Negara.

The briefing concluded with a presentation of prizes to winners of a nationhood quiz. – Rokiah Mahmud

Borneo Bulletin OnlineThe Independent Newspaper in Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak

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