The management and staff of Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd (MPC) and Muara International Fish Landing Sdn Bhd jointly hosted a Hari Raya open house yesterday at Serambi Suluh Hall, Tarindak D’Seni.
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, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid and Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha attended the event.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications Ir Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof, Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Xiao Jianguo, officials, clients and stakeholders were also present.
The celebration aimed to strengthen ties with stakeholders, clients, and the wider community. – Fadley Faisal
ABOVE & BELOW: 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 at the event; and Cabinet ministers and Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Xiao Jianguo in a group photo. PHOTO: FADLEY FAISAL & MPCPHOTO: FADLEY FAISAL & MPC
Themed ‘Blast from the Past 40s/50s’, the Netcom and Expansys Annual Dinner 2025 Celebration was full of exciting atmosphere filled with creativity and fun on Saturday night.
An event to honour the staff of Netcom and Expansys, recognising their contributions to the success of the companies, it saw the attendance of about 90 employees including management, who were encouraged to showcase their creativity by dressing up to the theme. The night featured various activities, including a costume competition that added an extra layer of excitement to the festivities. The evening was filled with engaging games and opportunities to win prizes.
Serving as a yearly platform to express gratitude to the employees for their dedication and hard work throughout the year, the annual dinner is also an occasion for employees and management to come together and celebrate the collective achievements. – Lyna Mohamad
The Rotary Club of Bandar Seri Begawan (RC BSB) recently completed a wooden walkway rehabilitation project in Kampong Ayer. This initiative not only improved local infrastructure but also strengthened community ties, reflecting the club’s dedication to community service.
According to RC BSB, the project, covering 150 metres in Kampong Setia ‘A’, symbolises the club’s commitment to both community service and environmental preservation. The project was realised through the collaborative efforts of local residents, Rotarians and guests.
The club thanked the penghulu, village head and the residents for their hospitality and assistance.
The dedication of Rotarians and their families was crucial to the project’s success. The event was documented to ensure a lasting visual record of this undertaking.
This project highlights RC BSB’s role in promoting community development and environmental stewardship, setting a positive example for future initiatives. – James Kon
A hundred students from Tanjong Maya Secondary School have increased awareness of HIV transmission, following their participation in the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council’s (BDAIDSCouncil) HIV Awareness Programme for Peers and Youths (HAPPY), as part of their school’s awareness initiatives.
HAPPY is a youth-led project that disseminates HIV awareness, including knowledge of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is an interactive programme that combines audio-visual materials with interactive activities to convey key messages to young people, adapted to local contexts.
The session was led by Project Coordinator for HAPPY Siti Kailene binti Mohd Jazlan Kashfi and supported by volunteers from BDAIDSCouncil.
During the session, Siti Kailene emphasised the importance of understanding HIV, including how the virus is transmitted and how it can be prevented.
She provided insights into the mechanisms of HIV transmission, helping to dispel common myths and misconceptions often encountered by young people.
She addressed the increasing concerns surrounding teenage pregnancy, explaining the physical, emotional and social consequences it can have on young people’s lives.
She stressed the importance of making informed decisions and establishing healthy boundaries in relationships to prevent unplanned pregnancies and protect one’s health.
The session also highlighted local statistics relating to HIV in Brunei, underscoring the need for greater awareness and education. – James Kon
Tanjong Maya Secondary School students during the programme. PHOTO: BDAIDSCouncil
A total of 500 participants from all walks of life will join the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 20th Asian Games Fun Run at The Empire Brunei today.
Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) Vice President Haji Muhd Zamri bin Dato Paduka Haji Hamdani revealed the number of participants at a press conference yesterday.
He noted that the event is not open to the public due to venue capacity limitations.
He said, “The fun run will commence at 5pm, immediately after the conclusion of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Gender Equity Seminar. Among the participants are seminar attendees, students from various schools and individuals with disabilities.“
He added, “OCA has prepared medals to be awarded to the top 10 finishers in each category except for the children under-12 boys and girl’s categories. The medal presentation will be conducted by executive members of the OCA.”
Meanwhile, OCA Director of Media and Broadcast Jeans Zhou Jian added the fun run will be the third instalment for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. “We started the project three weeks ago in Bhutan and then at Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The Asian Games Fun Run is a social development programme to encourage all to build healthy societies through sports.”
OCA Director of Development and International Relations Wissam Trkmani said the fun run serves as a lead-up to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Games, which will takes place from September 19 to October 4 next year.
A total of 45 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are expected to compete in 41 sporting events, he added. The Asian Games is the biggest sporting event after the Olympic Games.
The first edition took place in New Delhi, India in 1951. “After 75 years, we are organising the 20th edition in Aichi-Nagoya. This is the third time that Japan is hosting the Asian Games, with the first time in Tokyo in 1958 and the second time in Hiroshima in 1994.”
Director of Media and Public Relations of the Aichi–Nagoya 20th Asian Games organising committee Inomata Yusuhiro highlighted, “Aichi prefecture, Nagoya extends its welcome to all to attend the upcoming Asian Games. I am confident that Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games will become a truly unforgettable success.
“We are anticipating 15,000 athletes from Asian countries to participate in the Asian Games. The organising committee is working tirelessly to ensure the best possible environment for athletes as well as spectators.” – James Kon
Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council Vice President Haji Muhd Zamri bin Dato Paduka Haji Hamdani during the press conference. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI
For most of us, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a time spent with loved ones – visiting familiar faces and places we call home. It’s a celebration unlike any other, not just marking the end of Ramadhan, but also honouring bonds and forgiveness.
But for a few Bruneians this year, the atmosphere was different. They spent the final days of Ramadhan and the start of Hari Raya abroad.
The experience, to say the least, was eye-opening – a reminder of how deeply home shapes our celebrations, and how the spirit of Raya can still find us, even when we’re far from where our hearts feel most at peace.
For Amal Nadhirah binti Samsudin, this year’s Raya was unlike any other. Her journey took her to Australia – an unfamiliar land, far from the comfort of home.
Although the time difference between Brunei and Sydney wasn’t too drastic, spending 10 days and nine nights abroad during the final stretch of Ramadhan and into the early days of Raya was, as she put it, “a journey worth telling”.
One of the first things she had to adjust to was the different time zone for breaking fast. Fortunately, her accommodation in Sydney was strategically located – halal food was just a short walk away, making iftar relatively stress-free.
Still, there were moments that reminded her just how far she was from home. Back in Brunei, the call to prayer – azan Maghrib – echoes through the air, signalling it’s time to break fast. In Sydney, the silence in those moments was a stark contrast.
ABOVE & BELOW: Amal Nadhirah binti Samsudin with her grandmother in Sydney, Australia; and Haji Zulhilmi Dato Jaidin in a group photo in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. PHOTO: AMAL & HAJI ZULHILMI DATO JAIDINPHOTO: AMAL & HAJI ZULHILMI DATO JAIDINA Hari Raya Aidilfitri spread consisting of Bruneian food. PHOTO: AMAL & HAJI ZULHILMI DATO JAIDIN
As Raya began to draw near, Amal found herself picking up on the subtle differences between her experience abroad and what she had always known back home in Brunei.
In the Sultanate, she would hear Raya songs playing in almost every shop, and see the green, shimmery Hari Raya decorations hanging everywhere.
Instead, the build-up to Raya in Sydney was much quieter, more subdued. Yet, in its own way, it was just as meaningful. Exploring a new country and engaging with the warmth of the locals left a strong impression on her.
“However, experiencing Ramadhan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri away from home has established a deep-rooted sense of appreciation for my own culture and tradition. Opening my eyes to the beauty of diversity and uniqueness that every country has to offer.”
Meanwhile, for Haji Zulhilmi Dato Jaidin, the experience was a journey of the heart. He spent both Ramadhan and Syawal in the holy city of Makkah, performing his umrah pilgrimage – a spiritual undertaking that made this year’s Raya especially profound.
“Alhamdulillah, I was blessed with the opportunity to perform umrah during the holy months of Ramadhan and Syawal this year, a journey that left an unforgettable experience that will forever be etched in my heart. I have always wanted to experience fasting in the last 10 nights of Ramadhan and celebrate Raya in Makkah and Madinah.”
The moment Haji Zulhilmi arrived in Madinah, he felt a peace that words could barely capture. There was a quiet serenity in the air – the stillness of the city, the gentle rhythm of the azan, the soft hum of Al-Quran recitations drifting from every corner of An-Nabawi Mosque. Nights in Ramadhan were especially moving, with Sunnat Tarawih prayers drawing worshippers from all corners of the world. It was, he recalled, an experience that overwhelmed the heart in the best of ways.
He was deeply moved by the generosity he witnessed: people giving alms, offering food for iftar, and increasing their acts of worship with sincerity and devotion.
“I still remember the night of the 28th of Ramadhan,” he shared.
“An-Nabawi Mosque was overflowing. By Maghrib, the roads were already filled with pilgrims. Sunnat Tarawih and Sunnat Witir lasted until past 2am, but the energy that night – it was beyond words. It was one of the most spiritually uplifting moments of my life.”
On the morning of Raya, they left their hotel just after 4am – even though it was less than 200 metres from the mosque – but it was already too full. Along with countless others, they prayed on the road outside, joining in the quiet joy of Syawal. Though the celebration in Madinah was simple, it was filled with warmth. After the Raya prayer, the heartfelt echoes of Hari Raya rang through the streets, connecting strangers in faith and joy.
“Though I was far from home, we celebrated with Muslims from every corner of the globe, sharing smiles and prayers, the unity and spirit of the ummah made me feel like I belonged.”
They arrived in Makkah just before Maghrib, and later that night, after Isyak prayer, Haji Zulhilmi performed Tawaf under a canopy of stars. The weather was cool, the air gentle, and the energy of thousands moving together created a moment that was both powerful and humbling.
Two days later, his group performed umrah once again.
“For me it is not just an ordinary journey, it is a transformation and feeling calm with clearer purpose. The beauty of unity in Islam and the importance of intention in every act of worship,” he said.
“I pray that Allah the Almighty forgives our sins and grants every Muslim who wishes to perform haj or umrah the chance to visit Makkah and Madinah and may Allah the Almighty accept our haj and umrah.” – Lyna Mohamad
KUALA LUMPUR (BERNAMA) – Six individuals, including a Thai national, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in a drug storage and trafficking syndicate following four separate raids across the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Wangsa Maju police chief ACP Mohamad Lazim Ismail said the first two raids were carried out along Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Ipoh at approximately 3.40pm on Thursday.
“Based on information obtained during investigations, two subsequent raids were conducted at condominium units along Jalan Chow Sow Lin and Jalan Tun Razak, believed to have been used as drug storage facilities,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
He said the raids led to the arrest of four local men, one local woman, and one Thai woman, aged between 26 and 53.
Police seized methamphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, and Erimin 5 pills weighing a total of 2.0320 kilogrammes, sufficient to supply an estimated 5,613 drug users at any one time, he added.
He said preliminary tests showed that all suspects tested positive for amphetamines, methamphetamine, ketamine, and cannabis. Four of them also have prior records related to drug and criminal offences.
The seized drugs at the Wangsa Maju District Police Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. PHOTO: BERNAMA
Some 37 students from Sultan Hassan Secondary School, Temburong District, were rewarded for their academic achievements at the school’s annual academic awards presentation ceremony for BC GCE ‘O’ Level and IGCSE examinations for the year 2024.
Head of the Career Education Unit at the Department of Schools Dr Andree Asmara bin Haji Abidin was the guest of honour.
During the ceremony, Principal Helmy bin Haji Abdul Rahman gave a speech, followed by a speech from student representative Muhammad Wafri bin Zulhari. Five categories of awards were presented to students.
Deputy Principal (Administration) Ziad bin Haji Kula presented the awards for the five to six credits category. Deputy Principal (Academic) Vivian Leong Hui Vun presented awards for students achieving seven credits and above. The principal presented awards for the best student by subjects category and the best student achieving A* category in combined science and mathematics ‘D’ to two students. The guest of honour presented awards for the top five students category.
Dr Andree Asmara also presented the top individual teacher’s achievement category to nine teachers, as well as the three years impact award category to four teachers.
At the end of the ceremony, Helmy presented the prestigious Principal’s Award to Nur Syahirah Amani binti Muhammad Nur Ariffin, recognising her outstanding academic achievement and active participation in school and external curricular activities.
Head of the Career Education Unit at the Department of Schools Dr Andree Asmara bin Haji Abidin in a group photo. PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOLS
When Sakamoto Days first hit shelves as a manga by Yuto Suzuki, it charmed readers with its high-octane action, sly humour and the refreshing twist of a retired assassin turned family man.
The anime adaptation, released this year, has finally brought that chaotic charm to the screen – but does it deliver the same punch?
AN ASSASSIN’S SECOND LIFE… WITH GROCERIES
The premise alone is gold. Taro Sakamoto, once feared as the deadliest assassin in Japan, now runs a tuck shop with his loving wife and daughter. He’s gone soft – or so it seems.
Chubby, mild-mannered and obsessed with ramen, Sakamoto looks like your average dad.
But when old enemies crawl out of the shadows and threaten his peaceful life, the action kicks in and he snaps back into deadly mode – without killing anyone.
I feel that this tightrope walk between hyper-violence and domestic comedy is what defines Sakamoto Days, and the anime leans into it gleefully. It doesn’t try to be overly serious or edgy – it knows it’s absurd, and it embraces that absurdity with flair.
One of the strongest points of the first season is the animation quality during the action scenes. Fights are smooth, stylish and surprisingly inventive. Studio TMS Entertainment deserves credit for making close-quarter battles in convenience stores, ramen shops and alleyways feel fresh and exciting every time.
The comedic beats, too, are generally well-executed – especially the deadpan delivery of Sakamoto’s reactions juxtaposed with the wild antics of Shin, the mind-reading ex-assasin sidekick, and Lu, the martial arts prodigy-slash-student-turned-shop-assistant. Their dynamic carries a lot of the series’ momentum, even when the plot starts to meander.
Shin and Lu bring a delightful contrast to the chaos of Sakamoto Days, acting as both comic relief and competent sidekicks to the ever-composed Sakamoto.
Photos show scenes from the show. PHOTO: NETFLIXPHOTO: NETFLIX
Their interactions bounce between bickering and begrudging teamwork, but beneath the sarcasm and snark lies a growing camaraderie that adds warmth to the series.
Together, they balance the absurdity of the show’s premise with moments of genuine teamwork, creating a dynamic that’s as entertaining as it is endearing.
One of the things I genuinely enjoy about the anime is its playful subversion of expectations when it comes to villains. More often than not, those who burst onto the screen with menacing glares and dramatic entrances are revealed to be former comrades from Sakamoto’s assassin days – now misguided, not malicious.
Instead of sticking to a black-and-white view of good versus evil, the show leans into shades of grey, reminding us that even the most fearsome hitmen have a soft spot – or at least a past friendship worth revisiting.
In keeping with its overarching theme of redemption, Sakamoto Days offers second chances as readily as it does flying kicks.
PACING WOBBLES AND VILLAIN FLUFF
That said, not everything in the anime hits the bullseye. The pacing is occasionally uneven – with a breakneck first few episodes followed by mid-season episodes that feel a bit like filler.
The tone can also swing a little too wildly from zany comedy to heartfelt drama, which may be jarring for viewers who prefer consistency. Then there’s the villains – or lack thereof. The first season introduces a string of baddies, each with a gimmick, but they tend to come and go without much weight.
There’s a clear sense that the series is building toward a larger arc, but it feels more like set-up than payoff. For now, Sakamoto himself remains the star attraction – and rightly so.
What really sets the anime apart from other action anime is the emotional grounding it offers. Behind the gun-fu and telekinetic brawls is a surprisingly wholesome message: people can change, and redemption doesn’t have to come through violence.
Sakamoto’s commitment to not killing, his quiet love for his family, and his deadpan refusal to be dragged back into a life of bloodshed give the show unexpected heart.
It’s this balance – between heart and havoc – that makes Sakamoto Days stand out, even if the first season doesn’t fully maximise its potential.
FINAL VERDICT
The first season of Sakamoto Days is a solid adaptation that manages to capture much of the manga’s charm and energy. While it occasionally stumbles in pacing and lacks a compelling overarching antagonist, it more than makes up for it with slick action, sharp comedy and a protagonist you can’t help but root for.
The final episode of the first season has certainly piqued my curiosity and left me eager to see what the second instalment has in store.
Rating: 7.5/10
Fun, flashy and oddly wholesome, Sakamoto Days is the action-comedy you didn’t know you needed. – Izah Azahari
The Brunei Elite Futsal League (BEFL) 2024/2025 resumed with the Almerez HiTune FC victorious after securing a 3-2 triumph over MS ABDB recently.
Despite achieving a narrow win, Almerez HiTune FC remained in second place in the league and continued to be the main challenger to Kasuka Ar Rawda, who are leading the top chart of the BEFL.
Almerez HiTune FC head coach Haji Mohd Azim bin Haji Zakaria said, “The players managed to implement an effective game pattern. The success of scoring two early goals was an advantage that put pressure on the opposing team.”
He admitted that he received competition from the speed of the army personnel but his players’ persistence, especially the defence, contributed to the success.
He explained, “MS ABDB more often played the ‘Power Play’ game but every attack they had could be defended until we managed to defeat the team by two rounds.” Imported player from Iran, Abofazl Minouel Hussein created the initial goal in the sixth minute, and a minute later Ahmad ‘Afif As’ad bin Haji Ali did not miss the opportunity to make it to 2-0.
MS ABDB, who put up an interesting fight, scored in the 11th minute through Awangku Md Jumamatul Aleshahrez.
However, Muhammad Iqbal Pasaribu restored a two-goal cushion before MS ABDB’s goal-scorer’s sibling Awangku Idzzaham Aleshahmezan closed the gap in the 30th minute.
However, the military squad were left empty-handed when Mohd Azim’s protege managed to strengthen the defence until the final whistle.
Elsewhere, Shah United improved their league position after a 12-2 victory over DDT FC.
With the victory, Shah United occupy fourth place with 12 points from four wins. – Fadhil Yunus
Almerez HiTune FC and MS ABDB players in action during a Brunei Elite Futsal League match. PHOTO: YAKIN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
