The upcoming Chinese New Year celebration will be confined to close family members only, with gatherings limited to no more than 30 people at one time. Lion dance troupes will be allowed to perform at homes, on condition that an invitation is not extended to friends/families not of the same household.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong announced this at the press conference yesterday.
The minister said, by command 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, the COVID-19 Steering Committee has announced the guidelines for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.
If the celebration is to be held at a hall, the allowed capacity at any one time is 75 per cent or a maximum of 300 people (whichever is lower), and the duration is limited to no more than two hours.
The event should also adhere to the COVID-19 control measures under the Mass Gathering Guidelines of the Early Endemic Phase, currently in place.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong speaks at the press conference. PHOTO: JAMES KON
All halls and homes must register a BruHealth QR code and only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed. They are also required to undergo an antigen rapid test (ART) at the respective venue before joining the celebrations. The use of the BruHealth code is compulsory.
Food and drinks must be served in packed form or dome warmers. Wearing a face mask is also required, except when eating and drinking. Physical distancing must also be practiced.
Lion dance guidelines were also listed, including lion dance performances can only be carried-out at the housing compounds of school coordinating committee members, advisers and certain Chinese community members; at the Chinese temple, school halls or indoor halls, including association halls. Lion dance performances at the Chinese temple, school halls or indoor halls must adhere to the 75 per cent capacity rule.
Lion dance performances are not allowed at hotels, restaurants, shops and business premises.
The public can contact the Public Entertainment Control and Publication, under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), at 2223225 or email hiburan.awam@moha.gov.bn for enquiries.
SINGAPORE (CNA) – Passenger traffic at Changi Airport rose to 15 per cent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of December, up from just three per cent at the start of 2021, said Transport Minister S Iswaran yesterday.
Responding to questions from members of Parliament Saktiandi Supaat (PAP-Bishan-Toa Payoh) and Shawn Huang (PAP-Jurong) about this year’s outlook for Singapore’s air hub, Iswaran said that while air travel is expected to take several years to recover to pre-pandemic levels, the government is confident of the long-term potential of air travel.
Citing a study by International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Oxford Economics, he said international passenger volume is projected to reach about 55 per cent of 2019’s levels at the end of 2022, up from about 20 per cent last year.
Barring unexpected setbacks like Omicron, Iswaran said the government expects further recovery in 2022.
Turning to Singapore’s maritime industry, Iswaran said container throughput likely reached an all-time high in 2021.
“Maritime businesses also continued to establish and expand operations here. We expect the favourable outlook for trade and shipping to continue in 2022,” he said.
According to industry projections, global seaborne trade is expected to grow 3.5 per cent in 2022, slightly below the estimated 3.6 per cent growth in 2021, he added.
Check-in counter at Changi Airport Terminal 1. PHOTO: CNA
BAGHDAD (AP) – Iraq’s new Parliament re-elected its Speaker for a second term on Sunday, the first step toward forming a new government after a general election whose results have been contested by powerful Iran-backed factions.
In a reflection of tensions, the meeting was marked by disarray, with the eldest member of Parliament who was leading the session being evacuated to the hospital apparently due to the stress.
The chaotic meeting ushers in what is likely to be a lengthy period of political wrangling among rival groups to choose a new president and prime minister. As leader of the biggest bloc, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr – a maverick leader remembered for leading an insurgency against United States (US) forces after the 2003 invasion – has the upper hand in forming a new government. But he will have to manage tensions with rival Shiite groups who continue to reject the election results and are demanding to have a say in the government formation process.
According to Iraq’s constitution, the largest bloc in Parliament has the right to choose the new prime minister. But as the meeting got underway on Sunday, a coalition known as the Shiite Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite factions which object to the vote results, submitted a list of lawmakers’ names it claimed now hold the biggest parliamentary bloc with 88 seats, rather than al-Sadr.
Chaos erupted briefly in the chamber, during which lawmakers crowded around Mahmood al-Mashhadani, who was leading the session. Within minutes, the 73-year-old lawmaker was carried out of the room by security forces and bundled in an ambulance that took him to hospital, where he was visited by some of the heads of political and militia factions. The lawmaker appeared to be in good condition, according to witnesses who later saw him there.
Newly elected lawmakers from the Sadr political bloc prepare to attend the first Parliament session, in Baghdad, Iraq. PHOTO: AP
Following the disruption, the Parliament session resumed, although the issue of the majority was not immediately resolved.
Later, 200 lawmakers picked incumbent Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi for a second term, while 14 voted for al-Mashhadani.
Al-Halbousi, whose Sunni party came in second with 37 seats, is the former governor of Anbar province and was supported by al-Sadr, Kurdish and Sunni groups. Earlier on Sunday, lawmakers from al-Sadr’s bloc arrived early to the Parliament building in Baghdad, donning white shrouds Muslims use to wrap their dead in a sign of their willingness to die for him. Al-Sadr, one of Iraq’s most influential political leaders, was the biggest winner in the October 10 vote, securing 73 out of Parliament’s 329 seats.
Pro-Iran factions that alleged voter fraud lost around two-thirds of their seats – a significant blow. Supporters of armed groups pitched tents and staged a sit-in around the capital’s so-called Green Zone, which houses the Iraqi government and many foreign diplomatic missions, for more than two months, while they appealed Iraq’s top court.
Tensions culminated in November with an assassination attempt with armed drones against Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s residence – an attack blamed on Iran-aligned groups. The premier was unharmed.
The Court rejected the appeal filed by Iran-backed factions and ratified the election results late last month, clearing the way for a government to be formed.
Lawmakers at Sunday’s session elected a Parliamentary Speaker and two deputies.
Parliament will then have to elect a new president, who in turn will have 15 days to appoint a prime minister nominated by the largest bloc to form a new government.
KUALA LUMPUR (XINHUA) – Malaysia’s manufacturing sales grew 18.8 per cent to MYR142.4 billion (about USD33.9 billion) in November 2021 from a year ago, official data showed yesterday.
The growth in sales value for the month was driven by the petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products subsector, which rose 29 per cent, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said in a statement.
The expansion was also attributed to the food, beverages and tobacco subsector, which climbed 20.7 per cent, as well as the electrical and electronics products subsector, which expanded 17.8 per cent.
According to DOSM, sales value for export-oriented industries, which accounted for 71.7 per cent of total sales value, rose 22.2 per cent year-on-year, while domestic-oriented industries increased by 11 per cent.
“The growth of sales value for export-oriented industries was in line with the double-digit growth registered in the external trade exports and the price factors that remain favourable,” said the DOSM.
For the period of January to November 2021, sales value of the manufacturing sector increased by 15.4 per cent to MYR1,410.8 billion (about USD335.86 billion) compared to the same period in 2020.
Workers at their stations at the Toshiba Transmission and Distribution Systems in Petaling Jaya. PHOTO: MALAYMAIL
Since the introduction of movement restriction measures requiring the public to stay at home, the number of COVID-19 cases seemed to have dropped. This suggests that many enjoyed meeting up in large numbers prior to its introduction.
This was 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’s response to a query on the effectiveness of the movement restriction measures.
He also advised the public to refrain from unnecessary gathering in large crowds and to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the Ministry of Health (MoH), which will eventually enable businesses to return to normal.
“Observing the existing movement restrictive measures that start from 10pm, it appears restaurants, shops and other business premises see crowds showing up just before closing time, resulting in cramped schedules and spaces. Hopefully with the stay-at-home directive set to start at midnight in the coming days, these businesses will be able to relax their schedules, so the place will be less packed.
“Hopefully no one will abuse this to go out and party until the late hours. We need the cooperation of all parties, for us to be able to control the outbreak,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew also urged employers across all organisations to give consideration to parents (with young children) to work-from home (WFH).
The minister said we are still in the Early Endemic Phase, and in view of the extension, he called on employers to be lenient with parents who are unable to send their young children to daycare, and those whose children are attending virtual classes.
However, such consideration is dependent on the organisation’s operations, the minister said.
Enforcement personnel inspecting a motorist’s documents. FILE PHOTO: RBPF
SEOUL (CNA) – A consortium led by South Korean electric carmaker Edison Motors has agreed to acquire debt-ridden SsangYong Motor for KRW305 billion (USD254.65 million), SsangYong Motor said yesterday.
SsangYong is burdened with high debt and its vehicle sales last year fell to 84,496, down about 21 per cent from a year earlier, a regulatory filing from the automaker showed.
The automaker reported a January-September 2021 operating loss of KRW238 billion won from revenue of KRW1.8 trillion won.
SsangYong has been under court receivership since April in an attempt to rehabilitate the carmaker after majority owner Mahindra and Mahindra failed to secure a buyer.
Indian automaker Mahindra, which owned about 75 per cent of SsangYong as at the end of September, has been looking for a buyer for all or most of its stake, which it bought when the South Korean automaker was near-bankruptcy in 2010.
The logo of Ssangyong on its Korando during the 2019 Seoul Motor Show in Goyang, South Korea. PHOTO: CNA
The standard operating procedures (SOPs) for passengers coming into Brunei Darussalam is currently under review, in view of the recent rise in the number of imported COVID-19 cases. Continued monitoring will be conducted.
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 said this at the press conference yesterday, adding that the “Sultanate’s SOPs since the first wave have been effective, however, we cannot be complacent.
“There was a brief moment where we felt it was possible to loosen up travel restrictions, before the arrival of the Omicron variant. Since its emergence, it seems other countries too have been reporting an increase in cases,” the minister said.
Existing SOPs are being reviewed to determine whether they are still effective or need to be further improved, he said.
“What is important is that we do not breach our SOPs for anyone coming into the country.
Cooperation is needed not only from the passengers, but also the employees at hotels, those in the pick up buses and everyone involved,” he added.
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 press conference. PHOTO: JAMES KON
Brunei Darussalam’s forward Faiq Jefri Bolkiah carved his name in the history books after becoming the first Bruneian to play in the Thai professional league following his senior debut for Chonburi FC in the Thai League 1 at the Chonburi Stadium in Thailand on Sunday night.
The Brunei international also became the first player in the country to represent an overseas-based club in a top division of any international league after replacing midfielder Gidi Kanyuk as a late substitute during the 1-1 draw against Muangthong United.
His cameo role against the four-time league champions also coincidentally marked his first senior appearance in club football having spent most of his career in the reserves or youth teams.
Faiq, who did not make a single senior team appearance during a brief spell with Portuguese outfit Maritimo FC, expressed his delight after getting playing time for the Sharks and looked forward to the next match.
The 23-year-old could be in contention for a starting berth during Chonburi’s first round meeting against Chiangmai FC next in the new Thai League Cup edition tomorrow.
Brunei Darussalam’s forward Faiq Jefri Bolkiah makes his professional debut for Chonburi FC. PHOTO: CHONBURI FC
His new employers enjoyed a deep run in a domestic competition last season having reached the Thai FA Cup final, where they were eventually beaten by Chiangrai United.
The former Chelsea and Leicester City youth prospect was visibly delighted in his first interview shortly after his move to Chonburi FC was confirmed at the end of last year.
Faiq said, “I’m really happy and everyone had helped me in settling really well. The players are really nice and all of the staff had helped me.
“The last two years I don’t think I had much of an opportunity to show what I can do on the pitch at the last place I was at.
“So, I had to really be careful about my next destination so that I can get a chance to show what I can do. After speaking to the coach, it was one of the main reasons why I came here.
“I felt that this is the right place to come to progress at this stage of my career.”
During the league restart, Chonburi trailed to a Sardor Mirzaev’s free-kick in the first half before Renato Kelic rescued a point for the hosts following a cushioned header from Kritsada Kaman.
The Sharks climbed to third with 29 points in the league table but are four points adrift of Bangkok United who currently occupy top spot.
KAMPALA, UGANDA (AP) – Uganda’s schools re-opened to students yesterday, ending the world’s longest school disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The re-opening caused traffic congestion in some areas of the capital, Kampala, and students were seen carrying their mattresses in the streets, a back-to-boarding school phenomenon not witnessed here for nearly two years.
Uganda’s schools have been fully or partially shut for more than 83 weeks, the world’s longest disruption, according to figures from the United Nations (UN) cultural agency. The shutdown affected more than 10 million learners.
The East African country of 44 million people first shut down its schools in March 2020, shortly after the first coronavirus case was confirmed on the African continent. Some classes were reopened to students in February 2021, but a total lockdown was imposed again in June as the country faced its first major surge.
For many parents, the re-opening was long overdue.
“Inevitably, we have to open up schools,” said Felix Okot, the father of a six-year-old kindergartner. “The future of our kids, the future of our nation, is at stake.”
The country’s schools cannot “wait forever” for the pandemic’s end, he warned.
The protracted school lockdown proved controversial in a country where measures aimed at stemming the spread of the virus were ignored by many.
Vaccine scepticism, even among health workers, remains a problem, with growing reports of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards sold in downtown Kampala.
Pupils wear face masks as they attend class at Kitante Primary School in Kampala. PHOTO: AP
The Olympic Games Winter Beijing 2022 is set to take place in less than a month, from February 4-20, followed by the Winter Paralympics from March 4-13.
It will be the first time the Chinese capital is set to become the first city to host both the summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games. The 2008 Summer Olympics was also hosted in Beijing.
On January 4, Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected the preparations for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing.
He visited the national speed skating oval, main media centre, athletes’ village, games-time operations command centre and a winter sports training base, learning about Games preparatory work as well as Chinese athletes’ preparations for the Games.
Xi also extended New Year greetings to athletes, coaches, volunteers and representatives of operation teams, media and scientific research staff.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin during a press conference said, “You may have all noted that President Xi said in his New Year address that ‘We will spare no effort to present a great Games to the world’. On the first working day after the New Year holiday, President Xi made another field trip to inspect the preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This fully demonstrates that the Party and the Chinese Government give priority to the preparations and sends three key messages to the international community.”
Workers deliver a cart loaded with equipment to a commercial plaza at the Winter Olympic Village in Beijing. PHOTO: AP
First, he stated, “China honours its word. President Xi stressed that it is China’s solemn pledge to ensure the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics are ‘a full success’. For more than six years since Beijing won the bid to host the Olympic Games, China has been focussing on popularising winter sports southward, westward and eastward.
“As a result, more Chinese have set foot on ice rinks and snow resorts, making winter sports popular and meeting the objective of ‘involving 300 million people in winter sports’. The principles of hosting a ‘green, inclusive, open and clean’ Olympic Games have been effectively implemented in constructing the venues, organising the events and providing services for the Games.”
Second, he said, “China is ready. After years of efforts, preparations are basically all set. In terms of events organisation, the ‘Experience Beijing’ test matches have successfully concluded. All 12 sports venues in Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou have been built and put into use with Global Association of International Sports Federation’s certification.
“The service and support system have been completed, covering the Olympic Village, volunteers, media centre, medical assistance and contract hotels.”
For the third point, he said, “China is confident that we will hold a safe Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have published two editions of the Beijing 2022 Playbooks.
“Following the requirements of the playbooks, the Chinese side is optimising the area-based double closed-loop management process tailored for different categories of participants and strictly implementing the epidemic control protocols.
“China will take science-based, targetted epidemic prevention and control measures, make utmost effort to prevent infection and ensure the health and safety of all personnel attending the Beijing 2022.
“In his New Year’s Message 2022, IOC President Thomas Bach said that ‘we are looking forward to successful Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and have great confidence that we will stage safe and secure Olympic Winter Games for everybody’.
“Polish Ski Association (PZN) President Apoloniusz Tajner said that China made the right decision to apply strict COVID-19 restrictions and thanks to that ‘I will feel safe during the competition in Beijing’.
“All these reflect the shared voice of the international community in looking forward to the Beijing 2022 and the international community’s confidence in a safe and secure Olympic Games to be hosted by China.”
In addition, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian in a recent statement also highlighted, “The year 2021 has been a crucial year with preparatory work on all fronts progressing steadily towards full completion.”
“It has been a year of many major events in the Olympic calendar. For example, all competition venues for the Games were made ready; the Olympic torch for Beijing 2022 bearing the name ‘Flying’ was introduced to the world; the official motto ‘Together for a Shared Future’ and official posters were released; the flame lighting, handover and welcome ceremonies were held successfully; the Olympic and Paralympic medals named ‘Tongxin’ as well as uniforms and gear were all unveiled; and ice-sports test events were successfully held.”
While advancing efficient and high-level preparation for the Games, he added, “We have also ensured solid epidemic prevention and control to protect the safety and health of all personnel participating in the Games as well as the public.”
Excellent preparatory work for the Beijing Winter Olympics were also seen with athletes and people from many countries including international organisations looking forward to the Beijing Olympics. Preparation for the Games has entered the home stretch.
Beijing, a city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics, will present a streamlined, safe and splendid event for the world.
On December 14, 2021, Vice-Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of a leading group overseeing the Beijing 2022 preparations, stressed “the need to prioritise prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure a simple, safe and splendid 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games”.
Han also noted that the pandemic is a stern test for Games organisers, and urged everyone to stay vigilant at all times and strictly follow COVID-19 counter-measures.
Han inspected several venues during a tour in Beijing on December 14, including the National Speed Skating Oval, the Winter Olympic Village, the Main Media Centre, the National Indoor Stadium and the National Aquatics Centre.
Another landmark achievement for the Olympic Games Winter Beijing 2022 is the use of new cutting edge technologies whereby Beijing is aspiring to stage smart Winter Olympics.
According to the Embassy of China News Bulletin, from competition facilities and sports equipment to support services, the development of the Olympic Winter Games is inseparable from science and technology.
Now, winter sports can reach a wider audience thanks to the constant sci-tech upgrading, and athletes are further empowered to set world records.
From the 5th Winter Olympics in St Moritz, Switzerland, to the 23rd Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Korea, more accurate timing, more advanced sports equipment, and ultra-high-definition live broadcasts have all added appeal to the Games.
For the upcoming Winter Olympics Beijing 2022, several new technologies will underpin its smooth running. During the 24th Winter Olympics, full 5G coverage will be achieved in and around the Olympic venues.
The National Olympic Sports Centre, Yanqing Competition Zone, and Shougang Industrial Park will be built into three innovative demonstration parks, providing automated vehicle sales, delivery, cleaning, and supermarket services.
In addition, intelligent robots will be introduced in the Olympic venues and relevant scenic spots to offer luggage delivery and other assistance for athletes and coaches.
The big data platform of the Olympic Villages pools information on security, environment, energy consumption, and other intelligent services to respond to emergencies promptly.
In terms of environmental protection, energy-saving and clean energy vehicles will be employed to provide traffic services, including hydrogen-powered buses, pure electric cars, and hybrid ones. As high as 85.84 per cent of the total vehicles will be clean during the Olympics, setting a new record from the previous version.
In addition, key technologies will ensure efficient and effective meteorological services for the events, including advanced 3D meteorological monitoring by the second and accurate weather forecasting by 10 minutes in a range of 100 metres.
The organisers will also utilise China’s self-developed high-speed moving target tracking and camera shooting system. The system can quickly locate the target and automatically track and film the Olympic downhill skiers who move at a high speed of 170 kilometres per hour.
