A Malaysian fisherman from Miri, Sarawak reported missing at sea on November 11 was found safe in Brunei waters the next day.
Royal Brunei Police Force confirmed the incident.
Baji Berinau, 46, was discovered by local fisherman in Stutong, Brunei at 10.24am.
The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia in Sarawak said the fisherman returned to Marina Bay jetty in Miri and reported to the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency.
The fisherman went to sea at 4am and was reported missing at 2.30pm. He ran out of fuel and the boat drifted to Bruneian waters.
A Bruneian fisherman found Baji drifting in Stutong and he asked for fuel to return to Miri.
Baji’s brother Steve Berinau reported Baji missing after the victim did not return by afternoon when he would normally be on shore by 10am or 11am. Several fishermen also headed to sea to look for Baji. – James Kon
The Court of Appeal on Saturday reversed the acquittal of a religious teacher of sexual assault charges after finding errors in the Intermediate Court’s decision.
Mohammad Ali Yusni bin Haji Bujang will be sentenced on a date to be fixed by the Intermediate Court after the appellate court finds that the judge had misdirected herself while making the decision.
The November 11 decision made by presiding Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong sitting with Justices Michael Peter Burrell and Conrad Seagroatt effectively put a conviction in place of the acquittal.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Hajah Suriana binti Haji Radin sought the reversal after the Intermediate Court acquitted Mohammad Ali Yusni from a charge of outraging the modesty of a 12-year-old female pupil by using criminal force on October 26, 2021.
The appellate court examined the Intermediate Court’s decision based on the absence of criminal force.
Other than finding error in making the decision on technicalities, the appellate court found Mohammad Ali Yusni had been “unarguably in a position of trust and the fact that the victim had some form or degree of liking for him… rendering her vulnerable to the predilections of a much older man who was in loco parentis to her and took advantage of her youth for illegal sexual conduct”.
They highlighted that the victim was in a “relatively passive disposition which made it easy for him to use minimal essential forceful action to assault her sexually and there was clear evidence of this. On no material matter did the (Intermediate Court) judge disbelieve the (victim)”. – Fadley Faisal
A local man was sentenced to four years’ jail with two strokes of the cane yesterday after he pleaded guilty to housebreaking for theft.
Intermediate Court Judge Pengiran Masni binti Pengiran Haji Bahar handed the sentence to Mohamad Saufiq Firdaus bin Haji Mohd Yussof.
The court took into account the defendant’s lack of remorse with previous convictions, his recent release from prison and the distress caused to victims.
Prosecutors Radin Wafri bin Radin Sufri and Mohammad Kamal Ariffin bin Ismail revealed that the defendant broke into a house at Kampong Bukit Bilid in Tutong District on October 10.
It was about 2am when the defendant forced open the house’s backdoor and entered through the kitchen.
The defendant searched the house and made away with laptops, a television and TV boxes.
The homeowner filed a police report on learning the house was broken into and found properties missing. Investigations led to the defendant’s arrest and recovery of all the stolen items except for a TV box which had been sold off for BND70. – Fadley Faisal
ABOVE & BELOW: Brunei participants in a group photo; Wong Xi Jay; and Mia Tan Wan Ru. PHOTO: ZENIUS TECH BRUNEI
Wong Xi Jay and Mia Tan Wan Ru were named champion and first runner-up among Brunei participants in the 9th Global Professional Robot Championship (G-PRC) at Imperial Permaisuri Mall in Miri, Sarawak recently.
Zenius Tech Brunei’s Tricia Chiam Chiu Lan said the annual event was organised by Probo Korea for young children and their robots in a game of agility.
“There were several categories but Brunei and Miri participants joined the speed touch category. The world championship saw six participating countries – Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China and Korea,” said Chiam.
In the competition, a number was displayed on a monitor and the children would guide the robots to hit a button with the number.
The robot’s size, weight and the children’s familiarity with the remote control determined the robot’s speed in the game that lasted for a minute.
Chiam also said the event took place simultaneously across five countries with matches streamed on online platforms. – Daniel Lim
ABOVE & BELOW: Brunei participants in a group photo; Wong Xi Jay; and Mia Tan Wan Ru. PHOTO: ZENIUS TECH BRUNEIPHOTO: ZENIUS TECH BRUNEIABOVE & BELOW: One of the robots in the competition; and a Brunei competitor in action. PHOTO: ZENIUS TECH BRUNEIPHOTO: ZENIUS TECH BRUNEI
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the minister during the gathering. PHOTO: AIDA NADHIRAH ZAKI
Over 500 family members of the late Haji Tamat bin Puasa descendants attended the third grand family gathering at Ar-Rayyan Hall of AMAS Building in Kampong Lamunin recently.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof was the guest of honour.
A video presentation on the history of Kampong Lamunin was showcased as well as an exhibition of traditional food and handicrafts. – Rokiah Mahmud
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof in a group photo. PHOTO: AIDA NADHIRAH ZAKIABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the minister during the gathering. PHOTO: AIDA NADHIRAH ZAKIPHOTO: AIDA NADHIRAH ZAKIABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the minister delivering a speech; an attendee speaking; and a child during his performance. PHOTO: AIDA NADHIRAH ZAKIPHOTO: AIDA NADHIRAH ZAKIPHOTO: AIDA NADHIRAH ZAKI
TCY Motors Sdn Bhd has been appointed as the exclusive importer and dealership for the Škoda brand of vehicles in the Sultanate.
The partnership with Škoda, a brand of the Volkswagen (VW) Group known for its innovation, quality, reliability, durability and driving pleasure, is a milestone for TCY Motors, said the company in a statement.
The dealership offers a diverse range of Škoda models, each designed with the latest VW technologies and a commitment to sustainability.
Inquiries and booking calls for servicing will begin on November 17 with the commencement of aftersales servicing on December 1 at the centre in the Lambak Kanan Industrial Area.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin
Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman; Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad at the event. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
The Humanitarian Fund for Palestinians in Gaza 2023 yesterday collected several donations from various agencies during a ceremony at the Digadong Hall, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) yesterday.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad received the donation.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, in his capacity as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, handed over the BND100,000 donation, as well as three field hospitals from the Government of 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, estimated to be worth BND2 million, to the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The field hospitals are air capsules that will be used to ease the suffering of Palestinians affected in Gaza due to the conflict that began on October 7.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Junaidi bin Haji Masri handed over a donation of BND100,000.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin
Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman; Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad at the event. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
Another BND100,000 was contributed by Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei, presented by its Acting Managing Director Edzwan Zukri bin Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan.
Makan Ceria Sdn Bhd also donated BND100,000, presented by its general manager Mohammad Al-Fatah bin Haji Seruji.
The Brunei Youth Council (BYC) presented a donation of BND41,700, collected from the Palestinian Steps for Solidarity event held on November 5 at Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas, in the capital.
The donation was presented by event co-organiser of the activity, Mohammad Ashmeer Imtiaz Ahmad.
The Humanitarian Fund for Palestinians in Gaza 2023 will continue until January 18, 2024. – Rokiah Mahmud
ABOVE & BELOW: The walk in progress; and the talk on Palestine.
PHOTO: FADLEY FAISAL
Eighty people gathered for a walk in solidarity with Palestine at the Kampong Kapok Mosque recently.
Two Palestinian students studying at Universiti Brunei Darussalam also participated in the walk.
Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Lawi bin Haji Lamat and Kampong Kapok Village Consultative Council Adviser and Kampong Kapok Mosque takmir Committee member Dato Paduka Haji Sofry bin Haji Gafor were also present.
The event began with mass Subuh prayers, followed by a talk on Palestine.
Kampong Kapok Village Head Shahminan bin Haji Abdul Rahman said the walk was held to create awareness among the locals and signal the call for peace in Palestine. – Fadley Faisal
ABOVE & BELOW: The walk in progress; and the talk on Palestine. PHOTO: FADLEY FAISALPHOTO: FADLEY FAISAL
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang
Othman with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad receive a mock cheque from Makan Ceria Sdn Bhd. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
Makan Ceria Sdn Bhd, as a 100-per- cent locally owned corporate entity employing 100 per cent locals plays an active part in supporting the community, and especially those in need.
In an act of solidarity, Makan Ceria Sdn Bhd donated BND100,000 to the Humanitarian Fund for Palestinians in Gaza 2023.
The donation is to support the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) initiative to provide aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The handing over of the donation was held yesterday. It was presented by Makan Ceria Sdn Bhd general manager Mohammad Al-Fatah bin Haji Seruji to Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad.
McDonald‘s Brunei’s said in a statement yesterday that it is committed to making a positive impact on communities in need.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad receive a mock cheque from Makan Ceria Sdn Bhd. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
“The contribution reflects McDonald’s core values, which encompasses serve, family, community, integrity, and inclusion, and reinforces the company’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen.
“To engage the community and encourage additional support for the vital cause, McDonald’s Brunei will be placing donation boxes for the humanitarian fund at all of its branches in the Sultanate.
“By doing so, the company is providing an accessible and convenient means for the public to contribute to the fund, reinforcing its dedication to playing an integral role in supporting those in need,” said the company.
McDonald’s Brunei expressed its gratitude to the customers and the community for their support, making it possible to extend a helping hand to those in need. – Rokiah Mahmud
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar planting one of the trees. PHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUD
The Ministry of Health yesterday planted 127 saplings at its Al-’Afiah Hall in an effort to support the Green Protocol in reducing carbon footprint.
Among the saplings planted were sakura, pokok doa, bereksa tree and eugenia tree. Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar was among those present at the event.
The tree-planting aimed to reduce the carbon print at government buildings, is one of the initiatives of the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat. – Rokiah Mahmud
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar planting one of the trees. PHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUDABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham during the aerobic session before the Green Protocol tree planting event; and Ministry of Health personnel during the tree planting. PHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUDPHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUDPHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUDPHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUDPHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUDPHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUD
