Several petrol stations will be temporarily closed for routine verification of fuel dispensing pumps by the Industry and Business Ecosystem Division (IBE), through the Weights and Measures Unit (SDT) under the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
The fuel stations will be closed from 9am until completion, with the whole process estimated to take two hours.
The affected petrol stations are: Koperasi Perniagaan dan Perusahaan Melayu Berhad Petrol Station in Kampong Menglait on October 3; Bebatik Petrol Station, Kampong Bebatik on October 5; Masjory Petrol Station in Kampong Sengkurong on October 7; Koperasi Ikatan Teluk Mewah Mentiri Petrol Station in Kampong Mentiri on October 8; Mabohai Petrol Station in Kampong Mabohai on October 9; Kampong Buang Sakar Petrol Station in Kampong Buang Sakar on October 10; Koperasi Persatuan Kampong Lubok Pulau (KOPEKLAP) Dengan Tanggungan Berhad Petrol Station in Kampong Lubok Pulau on October 22; Telisai Sdn Bhd Petrol Station in Kampong Telisai on October 23; and Koperasi SEPAKAT Petrol Station in Kuala Belait on October 24.
The verification of accuracy readings on fuel dispensing pumps at various fuel stations are in accordance with Chapter 151 of the Weights and Measures Act 1983.
The routine inspection is conducted three times a year. – James Kon
The Blood Donation Centre at the Department of Laboratory Services will organise several blood donation campaigns to help boost the national blood stock.
The first campaign will take place tomorrow at Level 2 of the Annajat Complex in Beribi, from 10am to 3pm. Another campaign will be held on October 3 at the Honda Showroom in Gadong, organised by Happy Motoring Co Sdn Bhd, from 10am to 3pm.
The public is also encouraged to visit the Blood Donation Centre at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital during working hours – 8am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 4.00pm – for blood donations.
Potential donors are recommended to book donation slots through the Bloodkad app to streamline the process. – Fadley Faisal
ABOVE & BELOW: Deputy Permanent Secretary (Construction Industry and Development) at the Ministry of Development Sr Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Mohd Yaakub participates in the cleaning campaign; participants during the campaign; and weighing the trash. PHOTO: MOD
Some 220 people collected over 1,419.5 kilogrammes of trash during a cleaning campaign organised by the Ministry of Development (MoD) yesterday at Simpang 791, STKRJ Sungai Buloh. The campaign, supported by the Main Committee on Cleanliness (JIIK), commenced with a warm-up session at the Mentiri Community Hall Centre before participants dispersed to various locations for the clean-up.
The campaign aimed to raise awareness on the importance of cleanliness in the community, fostering responsibility and unity among residents in tackling cleanliness issues in their villages and surrounding areas.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Construction Industry and Development) at the MoD Sr Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Mohd Yaakub was the guest of honour.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Corporate and Legal) Aldila binti Haji Mohd Salleh and staff of the ministry, as well as Acting Brunei-Muara District Officer Mohammad Sofian bin Haji Basri, village heads and residents, were also present. – Fadley Faisal
ABOVE & BELOW: Deputy Permanent Secretary (Construction Industry and Development) at the Ministry of Development Sr Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Mohd Yaakub participates in the cleaning campaign; participants during the campaign; and weighing the trash. PHOTO: MODPHOTO: MODPHOTO: MOD
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali Rector Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal receives an award during the World University Rankings for Innovation Global Conference 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.
PHOTO: UNISSA
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) earned recognition from the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) for its innovative achievements this year, receiving the accolade during the WURI Global Conference 2024 (WGC24) in Seoul, South Korea.
Accepting the award on behalf of UNISSA, Rector Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal expressed his gratitude. “This recognition is a testament to UNISSA’s unique qualities, proving that we are on par with top international universities. It serves as a motivation for the entire UNISSA community to continue excelling and fostering innovation on the global stage, especially in advancing the development of the ummah,” he said.
In its third participation in the WURI rankings, UNISSA improved its standing, ranking 221 overall based on innovation, feasibility, and impact across 13 categories. The university also ranked 14th in symbolism/promotion, 26th in infrastructure/technology and 74th in culture/values.
The WGC24, hosted by aSSIST University and the WURI Foundation, brought together leaders and experts from 88 higher education institutions across 22 countries.
The three-day event featured presentations of innovative projects, fostering an exchange of ideas to inspire future initiatives.
Director of the Strategic Planning and Development Office Dr Muhamad Alif bin Haji Sismat, and the Head of Quality Assurance Unit Dr Zulamali bin Begawan Pehin Khatib Haji Matassan accompanied the rector. – Fadley Faisal
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali Rector Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal receives an award during the World University Rankings for Innovation Global Conference 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. PHOTO: UNISSA
ABOVE & BELOW: Participants of the reef ball fabrication programme in a group photo; and the participants naming their reef ball. PHOTO: JAMES KON
Officials from sponsors and partners of Ocean Week Brunei recently participated in the reef ball fabrication programme, gaining hands-on experience in creating reef balls.
The event was part of a series to wrap up the first-ever Ocean Week Brunei, organised by Poni Divers and LAUT Brunei, with support from the Department of Fisheries.
Marketing and event manager of Poni Divers Donna Baltazar said the event celebrated Ocean Week Brunei’s success, which directly impacted over 900 individuals, planted 300 corals, and donated 50 reef balls to support the fishing community.
Representatives from organisations, event partners and media partners Radio Television Brunei (RTB) and Brunei Press Sdn Bhd, joined the programme to learn the step-by-step process of making reef balls. Haji Muhammad Azizi bin Ahmad and Haji Noor Azzat bin Haji Ismail from RTB said, “It’s a new experience for us. We now understand the importance of reef balls in marine conservation.” Five reef balls were successfully created during the event, marking a step towards protecting the oceans. – James Kon
ABOVE & BELOW: Participants of the reef ball fabrication programme in a group photo; and the participants naming their reef ball. PHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KON
A patient having her blood pressure measured. PHOTO: MOH
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Brunei Darussalam. In 2023, there were 520 deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases, of which 31 per cent were premature deaths. This was a five-per-cent increase over 2012. Meanwhile, 1,722 individuals were hospitalised with cardiovascular disease diagnoses.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar shared this in his message to mark World Heart Day and expressed concern over the increasing rate of premature deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases from year to year, especially in the last decade.
According to the World Heart Federation, cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke and heart failure cause more than 20.5 million deaths each year. In 2019 alone, an estimated 17.9 million people died prematurely (death before the age of 70), of which 38 per cent were due to cardiovascular diseases.
The minister said, “Cardiovascular diseases are increasingly attacking the younger generation and causing a significant social and economic burden to society. This issue needs to be addressed as early as possible, as most of the risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular diseases are preventable.”
World Heart Day, marked globally every September 29, aims to increase public awareness on cardiovascular diseases and their preventive measures.
A patient having her blood pressure measured. PHOTO: MOH
The main risk factors contributing to cardiovascular diseases include behavioural, such as tobacco use; unhealthy diets, such as excessive fat and salt intakes; and leading an inactive lifestyle. In addition, biological factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, can also lead to cardiovascular diseases.
“By making small changes in lifestyle, a healthy heart can be maintained and cardiovascular diseases prevented,” the minister said.
This year’s theme, ‘Use Heart for Action’, emphasises individual reasonability to take proactive steps to maintain a healthy heart, as well as collective efforts that emphasise the importance of involvement and support of community in providing inspiration and encouragement to people to create a lasting positive change; and finally to provide equitable health access for all – a call to action in supporting equitable access to healthy heart, by empowering the community to insist on policies that overcome inequalities in health and ensure that every individual has the same opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle.
On an individual level, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said, “Several proactive steps can be taken to maintain a healthy heart, including understanding the characteristics of a healthy heart, such as having normal levels of blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol, recognising the symptoms of heart disease such as shortness of breath, dizziness or chest pain, increase awareness and knowledge on cardiovascular diseases and their preventive measures, following doctor’s instructions, and carrying out health screenings for early detection and treatment to prevent complications.
“Finally, individuals can practise healthy lifestyle, such as adopting a healthy diet, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and having good quality sleep to reduce stress,” he said.
The minister added, “The Ministry of Health has carried out several initiatives to encourage all levels of society to practise healthy living and detect risk factors through the BruHealth app.
“The BN on the Move Championship was introduced through the BruHealth app with several new features including community challenge, corporate challenge and incentive points system aimed to increase the level of physical activity in the community.
“A Health Index and Risk Assessment initiative has also been introduced to encourage people to assess their health and undergo regular screening.”
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham also urged every individual to “act now and be responsible for their own health in a bid to improve health. Let’s all take proactive steps and inspire people around us. Together, we can create positive change and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and high-quality life”. – James Kon
In conjunction with World Heart Day, a team from Gleneagles JPMC comprising 20 climbers took on Mount Kinabalu on September 16.
The team, including healthcare professionals and fitness enthusiasts, embarked on the climb to symbolise the importance of cardiovascular health and to raise awareness on heart disease prevention.
The expedition supported this year’s World Heart Day theme ‘Use Heart for Action’, empowering individuals to take cardiovascular health seriously and encouraging others to focus on their fitness journey.
The climb up the mountain in severe weather conditions served as a testament to the team’s commitment. Due to worsening weather condition, the expedition was halted before reaching the summit, as advised by officials in charge. However, reaching Panalaban, the final pit stop of the mountain expedition, safely was an accomplishment on its own.
Gleneagles JPMC Chief Operating Officer ‘Izzul Hamzi bin Haji Jomari, who was part of the expedition, said, “We anticipated the climb to be challenging but not to the level that we experienced, especially with the severe weather. Our months of dedicated training prepared the team well to collectively overcome these challenges.
“We hope this experience will inspire others in their fitness journey, for them to live stronger and healthier lives.”
Assistant nurse manager Roslinda binti Bachok from the Operating Theatre Department added, “It was a difficult expedition, especially with the severe weather, but experiencing the moment with my colleagues feels incredibly rewarding.”
Meanwhile, Gleneagles JPMC Chief Executive Officer Dr Peter Tay said, “We at Gleneagles JPMC are proud of our team for taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Kinabalu for a good cause. We are committed to supporting a healthy work-life balance for our staff, and initiatives like this help them stay connected with each other as well as boost their mental well-being.
“The expedition is a great example of how staying active can be very beneficial for them as individuals and as a team, in line with the spirit of World Heart Day.”
World Heart Day is celebrated annually on September 29, as a global campaign to educate and motivate individuals to take charge of their heart health.
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the Gleneagles JPMC team during the climb at Mount Kinabalu. PHOTO: GLENEAGLES JPMCPHOTO: GLENEAGLES JPMC
Walid Lachkar in action during the tournament.PHOTOS: JAMES KON & BRUNEI DARUSSALAM WUSHU FEDERATION
Brunei Darussalam wushu exponent Yee Sean Lim secured a bronze medal in the Girl’s Taijijian ‘A’ event during the 9th World Junior Wushu Championships at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex yesterday.
The wushu sensation amassed a total of 9.083 points behind eventual gold medallist China’s Yilin Zhang who posted a score of 9.243 points and silver medallist Chinese Taipei’s Yu Tzu Liu who managed 9.150 points.
Yee, who took bronze in the Girl’s Taichi Sword event during the previous edition in Tangerang, Indonesia two years ago, added to her country’s overall medal tally of three gold medals, three silver and one bronze.
Her podium finish ensured the country’s consistent showing in the championship having won a medal every day since it was opened last Wednesday.
Meanwhile in the Boy’s Nangun ‘A’ event, Abel Wee Yuen Lim finished ninth out of 19 entrants while Quintus Ming Jun Yii was placed fifth in Boy’s Nangun ‘B’. In the afternoon session, Walid Lachkar competed in the Boy’s Gunshu ‘A’ event and finished in seventh spot. – Fadhil Yunus
Walid Lachkar in action during the tournament. PHOTO: JAMES KON & BRUNEI DARUSSALAM WUSHU FEDERATIONBronze medallist Yee Sean Lim with her coaches in a group photo PHOTO: JAMES KON & BRUNEI DARUSSALAM WUSHU FEDERATION
DPMM FC and Hougang United FC players during a Singapore Premier League match. PHOTO: SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE
DPMM FC head coach Jamie McAllister has called for improvement after his charges relinquished a two-goal lead during the 2-2 draw with Hougang United FC in the Singapore Premier League at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Friday.
The Gegar Gegar men enjoyed a rapid start as Julio Cruz converted a 13th minute penalty before an own goal from Ismail Salihovic two minutes later added a two-goal cushion.
However, the visitors conceded in the second half with Stjepan Plazonja halving the deficit before Dejan Racic scored deep into stoppage time. The head coach said, “We got ourselves two-nil up, a commanding lead really but in the second half we took a step back, stopped doing the right things and made bad decisions.”
He continued, “So I just had a good chat with the lads there. They know how they feel. It’s frustration and we got to keep on improving.”
Meanwhile his opposite number Hougang United FC head coach Marko Kraljevic said, “We start the game with mistakes and we were 2-0 down.”
He further added, “It was a shock to the players. As we were down by two goals, we must start attacking but also watch out our opponents who are quick in counter attack.
“We came strongly in the second half and we need to score the first goal so everything can get moving.”
The former Balestier Khalsa FC boss concluded, “We could have finished the game (with a win) but we didn’t have time.” – Fadhil Yunus
DPMM FC and Hougang United FC players during a Singapore Premier League match. PHOTO: SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE
