International School Brunei (ISB) celebrated the outstanding achievements of its students who attained the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) International Awards in the 2024/2025 academic year during the DofE International Award Ceremony at its theatre on Tuesday.
The ceremony recognised the dedication and excellence of the DofE International Award winners, and saw the students receive certificates.
Head of ISB Secondary Dr Peter Jones, Deputy Head of ISB Secondary Ai Ling Wong as well as parents and family members of the awarded students attended the event.
For the school’s current academic year, 54 students from ISB Secondary and ISB’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme have achieved this important accolade, with four gold, 13 silver, and 37 bronze awards attained. All levels of the DofE International Award require participants to engage in four main sections of volunteering, skills, physical recreation, and an expedition called the Adventurous Journey.
The Gold level of the award also includes a Residential section, where participants spend five days and four nights in a residential setting working towards a common purpose with new people.
The head of ISB Secondary said, “The DofE International Award is truly a prestigious award like no other. It links closely with our school ethos and our IB Diploma Programme. It inspires the mind, shapes values, and builds futures.
“Through the award, students develop confidence, social and leadership skills, become more resilient and adaptable, organised, and resourceful. They learn more about themselves and their own unlimited capabilities as well as develop new relationships and friendships with others.”
Head of International School Brunei Secondary Dr Peter Jones in a group photo with award recipients, teachers and staff. PHOTO: ISB
BERNAMA – Malaysia’s national songstress, Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin, has described the opportunity to perform at the official state dinner in honour of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his delegation in Putrajaya on Wednesday evening as a great privilege.
Siti Nurhaliza expressed her gratitude in a post shared via her TikTok account yesterday.
“My heartfelt thanks for this invitation and meaningful opportunity. May the musical ties between Malaysia and China continue to flourish and strengthen,” she said. In her post, the nation’s most celebrated singer also shared a one-minute and 54-second video of her performance at Seri Perdana during the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, held in conjunction with President Xi’s state visit.
Siti Nurhaliza was seen performing the traditional Malaysian song Cindai as well as the classic Mandarin ballad The Moon Represents My Heart, originally sung by Chen Fen-lan in 1973 and later re-recorded by singer Teresa Teng in 1977.
In the video shared, her performance appeared to be warmly received, with applause from President Xi, Prime Minister Anwar, and members of the Chinese delegation.
President Xi undertook a three-day state visit to Malaysia from Tuesday to Thursday at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.
This marks the Chinese leader’s second official visit to Malaysia in 12 years, his previous visit being in 2013, during which both nations elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
President Xi’s trip is part of his first series of State Visits this year, which also include Vietnam and Cambodia. Malaysia and China established diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974.
Both countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties last year.
China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years since 2009.
In 2024, trade between the two countries reached MYR484.12 billion, accounting for 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s total global trade of MYR2.88 trillion.
PUJA Academy Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with Pakar Tenaga Bersatu Sdn Bhd, hosted a seminar titled ‘Global Trend and Engineering Capacity Development for ESG & Net Zero’ at Universiti Teknologi Brunei, bringing together professionals from the engineering and infrastructure sectors to explore the evolving landscape of sustainability and capacity development in alignment with global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards and Net Zero goals.
The seminar was led by speaker President-Elect Er Tan Seng Chuan of World Federation of Engineering Organizations and Emeritus President of Institution of Engineers, Singapore.
He delivered perspectives on climate change, global engineering trends, and the critical role of capacity building in achieving sustainability objectives.
The event highlighted key topics such as the integration of ESG principles in infrastructure projects, the transformation of industries through green technologies, and the need to develop an engineering workforce equipped to meet future sustainability demands. Er Tan emphasised the importance of international collaboration and innovative approaches to overcome challenges in achieving Net Zero targets.
Participants gained knowledge on global policies driving environmental change and the strategic shifts industries must undertake to align with ESG frameworks.
PUJA Academy continues to reinforce its commitment to professional excellence by organising impactful seminars and training programmes across the fields of engineering, surveying, architecture and construction.
BANGKOK (BERNAMA) – The construction of a jointly-funded second bridge and the upgrading of the existing bridge linking Rantau Panjang in Malaysia and Sungai Kolok in Thailand, are expected to be completed by 2028.
Minister of Works Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi stated that the project includes the construction of a new 117.3-metre bridge parallel to the existing one, along with comprehensive upgrades to the original structure.
“With an estimated cost of MYR40.54 million, the project is jointly funded by both governments and is targeted for completion in 2028,” he said in a statement here today.
Earlier, Nanta and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit signed the Construction Agreement (CA) for the second bridge and the upgrading of the existing bridge. The exchange of the agreement was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, marking the formal commencement of this major cross-border infrastructure project between Malaysia and Thailand.
Nanta remarked that the signing signifies another crucial step towards fostering sustainable regional development and inclusive growth.
“It aligns with Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN under the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ which reflects the region’s shared vision of collective progress – ensuring that development benefits all communities and no one is left behind,” he said.
The minister highlighted that the collaboration demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to fostering regional development, strengthening bilateral ties, and ensuring inclusive prosperity for border communities. Once completed, the expanded infrastructure is expected to significantly enhance connectivity, trade, and people-to-people interactions, serving as a lasting symbol of the enduring friendship between Malaysia and Thailand.
For the record, in 2012, under the Joint Development Strategy (JDS) for Border Areas endorsed by the Heads of State, Malaysia’s Ministry of Works and Thailand’s Department of Highways under the Ministry of Transport agreed to expand the bridge’s capacity to meet rising demands.
Malaysia subsequently took the lead in designing the new structure, drawing inspiration from the traditional “Perahu” (boat) motif, paying homage to Sungai Golok’s central role in linking Rantau Panjang in Kelantan and Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat.
The Ministry of Education (MoE), through its Department of Schools, continues to organise a programme for anti-tobacco awareness and procedures for addressing smoking or vaping offences.
The programme was held yesterday at Tutong Sixth Form Centre and was attended by school leaders, teachers and chairpersons of the parents and teachers association (PTA) from schools in Zone 3.
The Anti-Tobacco and Vaping Awareness Education Programme is an initiative by the Department of Schools aimed at raising awareness and addressing the social issues associated with student disciplinary offences related to the use of tobacco or vaping within the school environment.
The programme is also implemented as part of the MoE’s support for the Cross Functional Teams for Health (CFT) 2022–2025 initiative by the Ministry of Health (MoH), particularly in supporting one of its key actions: ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’.
The programme featured briefing sessions delivered by the Health Enforcement Division, Department of Policy and Planning at the MoH; the Royal Customs and Excise Department, Ministry of Finance and Economy; and the Student Welfare and Development Unit from the Student Affairs Division, Department of Schools.
The main objectives of the programme include: raising students’ awareness of the health risks associated with the use of tobacco and vaping by providing an understanding of the negative effects on health and academic performance, through a guidance-based approach and the implementation of various educational and awareness programmes and activities within schools.
Additionally, it aims to increase awareness, particularly among students, parents, the PTA, as well as penghulus and village heads, regarding the guidelines and school actions in addressing tobacco and vaping-related offences.
Through the programme, it is hoped that students, teachers, parents, the school community and society at large will better understand their respective roles in addressing school disciplinary issues involving the use of tobacco and vape, along with the actions to be taken against those involved. – James Kon
The briefing in progress. PHOTO: MOEABOVE & BELOW: Photos show representatives from different departments and agencies delivering their presentations. PHOTO: MOEPHOTO: MOEPHOTO: MOE
ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES – Several economists have revised down their projections for Singapore’s key exports in 2025, as global trade faces mounting uncertainty following fresh tariffs announced by United States (US) President Donald Trump.
Enterprise Singapore, the nation’s trade agency, said it is “actively monitoring the evolving tariff situation and will adjust the non-oil domestic exports (Nodx) forecast for 2025 as necessary to reflect the changing market conditions”. The agency released its latest Nodx figures for March on Thursday.
In February, Enterprise Singapore projected that Nodx would grow by one to three per cent in 2025, following a modest 0.2-per-cent increase in 2024. However, signs of weakness emerged in the March data, which captured early impacts of trade disruptions ahead of President Trump’s April 2 announcement of sweeping global tariffs – measures that have since intensified tensions with China and rattled global markets.
Singapore’s Nodx rose 5.4 per cent year-on-year in March, falling short of the 7.5-per-cent gain recorded in February and significantly underperforming economists’ expectations of 14.1 per cent growth, based on a Reuters poll.
Analysts said the worsening trade environment could weigh heavily on Singapore’s open economy, particularly in electronics and precision engineering – two sectors sensitive to global demand and trade flows.
Electronic exports expanded 11.9 per cent year-on-year – though this was from a low base a year ago. Growth was underpinned by personal computers, disk media products and integrated circuits. Non-electronics exports grew 3.8 per cent – half the pace of February’s revised 7.7 per cent increase.
Non-monetary gold led the charge with a 64.7-per-cent expansion, while pharmaceuticals rose by 24.9 per cent.
Nodx to Indonesia and South Korea grew, though shipments to China – Singapore’s single largest export market – declined.
The main drag on Nodx was China, which saw a 29.4-per-cent drop in shipments versus a 27.4-per-cent plunge in January.
Maybank Research senior economist Chua Hak Bin said the decline in exports to China suggests that US tariffs are disrupting Chinese demand and manufacturing supply chains.
“Looking ahead, export growth is losing momentum and may contract in the coming months,” he said.
Shipments to the US grew 5.7 per cent in March, a sharp drop from the 21.5-per-cent growth in February.
Shipments to Indonesia expanded by 63 per cent in March, after the 5.4-per-cent decline in the month earlier. Growth was underpinned by structures of ships and boats, personal computers and non-monetary gold.
Nodx to South Korea rose by 21.6 per cent in March, after the 31.4-per-cent growth in the preceding month owing to specialised machinery, measuring instruments and integrated circuits.
Compared with a year earlier, total trade rose 3.4 per cent in March, following a 4.6-per-cent expansion in February. DBS Bank senior economist Chua Han Teng said any downward revision of Enterprise SG’s export forecasts should align with the weaker 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) growth outlook.
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) now expects world merchandise trade volume to contract by 0.2 per cent instead of expanding by 2.7 per cent in its January forecast.
Chua noted that the WTO has already slashed its 2025 forecast for the volume of global trade in goods due to the sweeping tariffs, ensuing retaliation and uncertainty.
The WTO now expects world merchandise trade volume to contract by 0.2 per cent instead of expanding by 2.7 per cent as in its January forecast.
A fully loaded container vessel leaves the Pasir Panjang terminal port in Singapore. PHOTO: AFP
The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) recently released its flagship report, the ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook (AREO) 2025, in the wake of the United States’ (US) sweeping tariff hike announced on April 2.
These new measures, dubbed the “Liberation Day tariffs” in the report, have intensified global trade protectionism and introduced heightened uncertainty into the economic environment.
But even amid such turbulence, AMRO’s report underscores a critical point: the ASEAN+3 region-comprising the 10 ASEAN member countries plus China, Japan and Korea – stands more resilient and better prepared than ever before.
“The announcement of elevated and broad-based tariffs by the US, and the developments since, have added significant layers of complexity to the ASEAN+3 region’s outlook,” said AMRO Chief Economist Hoe Ee Khor.
“Nevertheless, ASEAN+3 economies today are more resilient and diversified than during past global shocks and better positioned to navigate the unfolding tariff shock.”
According to the report, 13 out of 14 ASEAN+3 economies are now subject to some of the highest effective tariff rates under the new US policy, with the trade-weighted average reaching an estimated 26 per cent, excluding China.
This stark escalation of protectionist policy follows a broader trend: the US presidential election cycle has revived a populist push for economic nationalism, disrupting global value chains and injecting fresh volatility into already fragile global trade dynamics.
AMRO’s scenario analysis paints a sobering picture. If the new tariffs persist and are met with retaliatory measures, regional gross domestic product (GDP) growth in ASEAN+3 could dip below 4.0 per cent in 2025, slipping further to just 3.4 per cent in 2026.
This would represent a sharp deviation from AMRO’s earlier baseline projections of 4.2 and 4.1 per cent growth, respectively. The projections are subject to wide uncertainty as global markets continue to digest the implications of shifting US trade policy.
Still, the region enters this challenging phase from a position of relative strength. The report points to robust domestic demand as the key driver behind the 4.3 per cent GDP growth recorded in 2024, even as global conditions wavered.
PHOTO: ENVATO
Household consumption remained strong across ASEAN-5 and Brunei, supported by favourable labour market conditions, rising investment, and moderating inflation (AREO 2025, Chapter 1).
Meanwhile, the external sector showed renewed vigour, thanks to a surge in semiconductor exports and a rebound in tourism. Semiconductor shipments, particularly from South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia, soared on the back of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven demand and the global memory chip upcycle.
Monetary policy space and fiscal buffers remain available to soften the blow of external shocks. Many economies in the region continue to enjoy low and stable inflation rates. In countries such as Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines, core inflation has returned to pre-pandemic levels, allowing central banks the room to consider interest rate adjustments if growth falters.
AMRO’s policy matrix highlights that these economies can deploy a mix of macroprudential tools, liquidity support measures, and targeted fiscal interventions to stabilise markets and protect vulnerable groups.
Targeted fiscal support has already proven effective in sustaining consumer confidence and domestic demand. Governments are building on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining flexibility while avoiding excessive public debt accumulation.
Debt levels in most ASEAN+3 economies remain manageable, and the financing needs are well supported by ample reserves and resilient investor confidence.
The region’s evolving trade structure also acts as a natural buffer against volatility. The share of ASEAN+3 exports directed to the US has steadily declined from around 24 per cent in 2000 to just 15 per cent today. Instead, intraregional trade has become increasingly dominant, with economies trading more among themselves.
This trend has been reinforced by the expansion of regional value chains and the diversification of export markets.
“Intraregional trade and domestic demand have become increasingly important anchors for the region,” said AMRO Group Head for Regional Surveillance Allen Ng.
“This diversification mitigates the impact of external disruptions and fosters long-term stability.”
But resilience alone is not enough. The report stresses the need for forward-looking strategies that address structural challenges and position the region for sustained high-quality growth. Chapter 3 of the report focuses on the region’s long-term growth prospects and highlights a decline in potential growth due to slowing capital accumulation and subdued productivity gains.
In response, AMRO outlines five strategic priorities: upgrading manufacturing capabilities, investing in high-skilled services, closing investment gaps, advancing digital transformation, and enhancing institutional capacity.
Brunei features prominently as a case study of targeted productivity initiatives. The country has embarked on efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas, focusing on education reform and small, medium enterprises (SME) development to drive innovation-led growth. While Brunei is a smaller economy, its experience demonstrates how tailored reforms can build resilience and catalyse long-term progress.
Malaysia, meanwhile, has emerged as a magnet for electronics-related foreign direct investment, thanks in part to its role in the global semiconductor supply chain. Vietnam and the Philippines are also gaining recognition as emerging semiconductor hubs, with investments pouring into R&D and chip design. These structural shifts are supported by broader industrial policies aimed at enhancing economic complexity and technological capability. Despite the challenging outlook, the report ends on a cautiously optimistic note.
“ASEAN+3 has proven its remarkable resilience time and again in the face of global shocks,” Khor concluded. “In this volatile trade landscape, unity and coordinated action will be essential. There are no winners in a trade war – but together, we can emerge stronger.”
As the world grapples with an increasingly fragmented global economy, the ASEAN+3 region offers a blueprint for collective resilience.
Through strategic adaptation, deepening regional cooperation and bold policy innovation, it continues to chart a steady course in stormy seas.
Whether through AI-led exports, regional tourism recovery, or industrial modernisation, ASEAN+3’s path forward is one shaped not by fear of uncertainty, but by a collective commitment to shared prosperity. – Features Desk
A look at eight new book releases this month, including an elderly woman who snoops her way into a murder investigation, two writers who compete to tell the story of a reclusive heiress, and three secretariats who try to make it big in 1980s Hollywood.
GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL LIFE BY EMILY HENRY
Two writers are competing to tell the story of Margaret Ives, an heiress from a family wrapped in scandals and controversies. Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson are given exactly one month to prove themselves worthy to write about Margaret’s life.
The two of them slowly begin to unravel the truth hidden from the media as they take turns interviewing Margaret. But Margaret is only giving them pieces of her stories, and the two writers are prohibited from sharing their discoveries after having signed a non-disclosure agreement.
TO CATCH A SPY BY MARK ONEILL
A year has passed since former jewel thief John Robie cleared his name in a copycat robbery case with the help of socialite Francie Stevens. John has the opportunity to rekindle their relationship when Francie returns to participate in the upcoming Fashion Week as a model. But before he can do so, he needs to do a favour for his friend.
John’s plan takes a drastic turn when he ends up becoming the target of a dangerous group. In the midst of his investigation, John discovers a spy ring with a malicious motive. Mark ONeill’s To Catch A Spy is the authorised sequel to David Dodge’s classic novel To Catch a Thief.
VERA WONG’S GUIDE TO SNOOPING (ON A DEAD MAN) BY JESSE Q SUTANTO
Life has been good for Vera since she solved a murder case in her teahouse. Her shop is in full swing and she now has a potential daughter-in-law. But Vera finds herself bored, and she can’t help but wish there was something other than the teashop to keep her occupied.
When she comes across a young woman who’s looking for her missing friend, Vera is all too eager to snoop her way into another case.
This time Vera is on a quest to investigate the disappearance of social media influencer Xander, who seems to have it all. But when his body is discovered and the police try to question his social circle, no one seems to know him.
HARD TOWN BY ADAM PLANTINGA
After having survived a deadly prison break, ex-Detroit cop Kurt Argento now lives a peaceful life as a handyman. When Kristin Reed shows up and asks him to find her missing husband, Argento insists he wouldn’t be able to help.
But when Kristin goes missing together with his son, Argento sets off to investigate the family’s disappearance.
He notices there’s a few odd things going on in the town: the overly equipped public safety team, the unusual financial support for small businesses, and one man who seems to have the entire town under his command.
CLIMBING IN HEELS BY ELAINE GOLDSMITH-THOMAS
In an industry where backstabbing and corruption is rampant, three secretariats at the hottest agency in 1980s Hollywood strive to make it big at all costs.
Beanie Rosen, the fast-talking and even faster-thinking Valley girl; Mercedes Baxter, who is well-versed in leveraging on her connections; and Ella Gaddy, the free spirit from a Kentucky household.
THE IMPOSSIBLE THING BY BELINDA BAUER
In the 1920s, collecting exotic eggs was a pastime for the rich. On the cliffs of Yorkshire lay the nests of seabirds, and these eggs were stolen for a lucrative price. One day, a poor young girl managed to retrieve a highly rare egg. Miraculous, even.
A century later, Patrick Fort finds his friend tied up after a robbery. The thieves only took one thing – a box with a scarlet egg in it. Patrick and his friend Nick embark on a quest to find the stolen egg, in which they discover the cruel world of egg trading.
THE AMALFI CURSE BY SARAH PENNER
Nautical archaeologist Haven Ambrose travels to the Positano village to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. The very same place where her father discovered priceless gemstones on his final dive before he passed away.
Now Haven is on a quest to finish what her father started, but strange happenings keep plaguing the town. In the midst of searching for sunken treasures, Haven discovers a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean.
STRANGERS IN TIME BY DAVID BALDACCI
With their families gone, Charlie Matters and Molly Wakefield find themselves at the mercy of the Second World War.
The two teenagers find companionship with bookshop owner Ignatius Oliver, who has just recently lost his wife. The three of them try to survive as bombs continue to rain down on the city. – Aqilah Rahman
BERNAMA – A 22-year-old man was arrested yesterday after allegedly slashing another man at Hougang Avenue 8 in the northeastern region of Singapore.
According to police, three officers sustained minor injuries during the arrest.The police said they received multiple calls for assistance at around 1.10pm, and upon arrival, police officers saw the suspect running around naked.
“While officers were effecting the arrest, the man allegedly attacked them with a wooden plank with nails. The three police officers suffered minor injuries,” the police said in a statement. The suspect was subsequently arrested for voluntarily causing hurt by grievous means and for voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty.
A knife and the spiked wooden plank were seized at the scene. Police investigations are ongoing.
The initial victim, a 31-year-old man, was conscious when taken to the hospital, police added.
